June 2010 GAM Newsletter
On Mother’s Day, I had the privilege of baptizing my daughter, Susanna. She accepted Christ on December 23, 2009. She asked Syndi, “How come you and Daddy can have Jesus in your hearts and I can’t?” Syndi shared with her a little and then woke me up from a deep sleep to participate in this precious moment. When I heard the request, I gladly went and clarified her understanding, and she accepted Christ in her bedroom. The week before her baptism, the preacher gave an invitation and encouraged people to pray to receive Christ. Susanna looked at Syndi and said, “I don’t have to pray that prayer; I already have!” We arranged a meeting with her children’s pastor to get an objective opinion, and he confirmed that she knows for certain the truth of the gospel and that she sincerely accepted Christ. We rejoice in Susanna’s decision to follow Jesus and pray for wisdom as we disciple her.
My dad used to make the statement, “If it was easy, everybody would do it.” One day I was talking to a pastor friend of mine who was using a Staples “Easy” button to make a point about prayer. You know the red button that says, “That was easy.” He made the statement, “Prayer makes ministry easier.” After his devotion, I commented, “Prayer does make ministry easy.” He corrected me and said, “-er, easier.” I smiled and nodded in agreement. I have learned that prayer is the major component of ministry, and that ministry is easier when you pray. It is still work, thus the phrase, “the work of the ministry.” To some, their work is no fun. But, I consider it a joy and a privilege to do the work of the ministry. I love my job. While it requires plenty of work, it is enjoyable as well as rewarding. One of my professors in seminary spoke of the work of the ministry as a “labor of love.” It is the love of joining God in the work that He is doing in the hearts and lives of people that makes it so exciting, inspiring, and rewarding. I am blessed and thankful to play a part in the Lord’s work.
As Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” He went on to write, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). Prayer is the foundation of the work of Great Adventure Missions. Your prayers for this ministry are also a “labor of love” that are very appreciated. My family and I are grateful for each of our partners in ministry.
As we serve with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), we are privileged to have opportunities to write, plan, and implement ministry. We look forward to a summer of discipleship, service projects, and lives transformed by the teaching of God’s word. Sincere prayer requires dependency on God, and that is what we are doing, depending on God to supply all our needs as we labor in His work.
In Christ,
Derrick Poston
Chaplain, GCPD
President, Great Adventure Missions
678-665-8164
North American Mission Board
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