It has been a rough time in Africa for me. I’ve gone through some obvious losses—leaving Asia was difficult, losing Moses was devastating, even saying goodbye to his family was really tough—but there have also been great challenges in the spiritual realm for me. I have been attacked left and right by Satan and I have not always felt like my team has been able to encourage me through every single trial. That is not to say they haven’t tried to be there for me. I just feel like a fellowship of believers that aren’t living with me 24/7 may have been very helpful. Many can fight the enemy far better than one (or even eight) can. I can’t imagine how differently I could have handled certain things with a regular time of fellowship with other believers—the ones I don’t get to see seven days a week; ones that come with a different set of gifts, tools, abilities, wisdom, and insight. We are not only here to seek and save the lost, but to comfort and encourage the saved. What would it have been like for Paul if no believers encouraged him since he was already a Christian?
Much of our ministry has been to encourage the local believers out here. To tell them what they are doing is incredible; that sacrificing their mornings to cook for and feed orphans is both life-changing and humbling; that giving up their own comforts to reach out to and pastor an impoverished community is leaving a huge wake and is not meaningless. How often do we encourage our pastoral leadership in the States? Personally, I have done it very little, and sometimes not at all. I’m not talking about “pastor appreciation day” or anything like that. I’m talking about making a meal for them just because, or letting them know that their message impacted you, or telling the worship team how great it is that they are allowing themselves to be worship vessels for Christ.
Giving glory to God is a part of church, but encouraging other believers is as much a part. I challenge you to examine church in your own life.
