God calls ministers to equip the Church for the work of the ministry. After many years of working in one local church, I experienced what I’ll call an ‘enlargement’ of my view of God’s calling. In preparing mission volunteers for work overseas, we equip the domestic church to do a better job of reaching its own community ed-italia.com. The mission volunteer teams then equip the foreign church to better reach its community for Christ. In both cases, the church is equipped. And, God is glorified through changed lives on the mission field, in volunteer mission teams, and in the domestic church!
The ‘centerpiece’ of my work through EquipUs is the Pastor Training Schools. This began in the city of Barahona, Dominican Republic. We teach 70-85 pastors and our approach is to “Entrust the Gospel to faithful men who will, in turn, entrust it to others.” God has blessed this work and the pastors have been faithful in implementing what they have been taught. Evidence of this is the increase in baptisms among these 50+ churches after one year of work with the pastors: an average of 44%! Currently, the churches are showing an average annual growth rate of 18.5% via baptisms. I believe our Prayer Teams are the first ones responsible for these results. God has answered through American pastors who volunteer to teach, and mission volunteer members who do construction work, medical clinics, sports camps, or any of several mission/evangelism outreach projects concurrent with our Pastor Training Schools. As Henry Blackaby said in Experiencing God, “See what God is doing and join Him in it.” YOU can make an eternal difference in someone’s life.
Recent Posts
A Modern Paraphrase
I have some amazing, exciting news to share with you! But this Modern Paraphrase is a necessary point of context. What follows is a 2013 post from Santa Teresa, Belize. I didn't edit the original post (except for Mission: Hope). Some readers will remember the events...
Faith's Fight
This isn't about defending the faith or confronting error. It's for all who have struggled to maintain their own faith. When was your last fight for faith? Notice, I didn't ask, Have you ever had that fight? We often talk about 'steps of faith' and overlook the...
Finding Peace In Unseen Hands
Are unseen hands a reality? Yes, they are! And that reality can help tired, struggling disciples find peace and rest. And we need look no further than a very familiar Bible character to find the rest we desperately need! So let me direct you to the book of Ruth. It's...
Love: What Does It Really Look Like?
Did you ever think God's love was a difficult concept? It can be. Dr. D.A. Carson's work, The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God, is worth reading and recommending. This little book makes a great addition to your own personal devotional resources as well as a great...
Two Kinds of People in the World, Part 3
Two kinds of people! Here's a rhyme to for you: Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, where is Cinderella Mall? It's next door to Star Wars hall! Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, how far did Humpty Dumpty fall? Tall is the Hogwarts wall, see Harry Potter, he'll tell all! Mirror,...
I Stand!
I stand. And I will continue to stand. My nation is not perfect, but many have given their lives in order that we might continue... To form a more perfect union... That continuing struggle can and should be carried on in a civil and thoughtful manner. But much to our...
Two Kinds of People in the World, Part 2
Yesterday, we started with two kinds of people in the world. We looked at the I Don't Believe crowd. That piece closed with Jesus' first statement of the Great Commission, "As the Father sent Me, so send I you," (click here to see Part 1). There are two kinds of...
Two Kinds of People in the World
There are two kinds of people in the world! How many answers have we heard? Given the State of my birth, I like, Texans and those that wish they were! From the State where I live, we hear, Alabama/Auburn fans and those that wish they were! And for ages the Church has...
Work Survives Hurricane Irma!
Hurricane Irma is a life-changing storm of destruction. Yet, not everything in its path is destroyed. And did you know Irma's power isn't just destructive? It's also instructive. That aspect came into view just last night! I was asked again about our mission work in...
Is Your Problem Your Solution?
What problem are you facing right now? There wouldn't be much need for a Life Lessons post if no one had problems! But have you ever entertained the idea that your problem might be the solution you are looking for? And you are wondering if that is even possible! The...
Smile Worth 1,000 Words
This smile blessed me greatly. I have to thank many of you for that blessing. But this smile is just one of many I get to see. And you need to know the man and ministry behind that smile! Why? Smiles like that are contagious. Here's how you can catch that smile for...
Second Mile: Another Companion
Last week's Second Mile post already has an update! And our last post was a real-time update about answered prayer. And today's update is, in fact, also an answer to our prayers for Jodie's work with the orphans at Manos Amigas Orphanage in Barahona. So here's an...



