February 2015: A Word from Pastor Sun Hee

A Word from Pastor Sun Hee
Faith Sharing and the Story of the 72

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two* others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field…” Luke10:1-2 (New International Version)

One of the most memorable worships for me this past month was the Sunday when some of our youth and young adults gave their testimonies about their experience at the Christmas Institute. I am sure you all agree that that their sharing was such heart-felt and authentic. On that Sunday, pastor Anne also introduced our theme for 2015 that we will be putting our effort and focus on—Faith Sharing. What these amazing young people demonstrated on that day was indeed a remarkable way to share our faith in Christ.

I hope you also remember our 2014 theme of Evangelism and the first sermon series that we preached based on the 72 unnamed people who were sent by Jesus. In this series, I shared how I was struck by Jesus’ proclamation that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Often times, we fall into the trapping of thinking that the hearts of the people that we are trying to reach are not ready. But in Jesus’ words, the implication is that we just need to send people out. You will remember that I introduced this prayer quadrant as a way of helping us be intentional about naming the people in our lives that God is wanting us to reach.

THE PRAYER QUADRANT

[see newsletter]

I wrote down one name in particular in the “Neighbors” box and then started praying for her and her family. As I continued to build a friendship with her, I prayed and asked the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into her life including myself, so that she would come to know Jesus through faith sharing of these laborers.

Last week, I had a lunch with her and we celebrated an amazing milestone in her life. Last fall, she and her family finally got the courage to visit some churches on Sundays. There were some disappointing visits and experiences, but in the end they found a home church. Last Sunday, she and her husband were baptized. She showed me the Korean Bible that was given to her at Baptism, her very first Bible. I could sense her wonder and excitement as she talked about reading the Bible and how she was learning new terms that were not part of her vocabulary before. I was so blessed to witness her journey. She looked like and talked like someone who just fell in love….yes, fell in love with Jesus.

In our conversation, I realized that the Lord of the harvest answered my prayers. There were many people who helped her, supported her, listened to her, guided her, prayed for her and shared their faith story with her besides me. There were many intersections that led to this day for her.

I wanted to share this with you in order to encourage you to continue to pray for God to send the laborers into the lives of those that you named last year. I want to encourage you to build those friendships and relationships, and whenever the opportunity arises to engage in some intentional faith sharing. The harvest that you have been praying for might actually be very near. May God bless you with and incredible and abundant harvest this year!

And just in case you need this prayer as reminder, here it is the prayer that we shared during the 72: Evangelism Series.

MY PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you are the Lord of the harvest. I thank you for each person listed here. I thank you that you have given me each relationship. Please help me be faithful to demonstrate the kingdom and to tell the story. I pray for courage, love, and opportunities to share the gospel message with them in word and deed.

I pray, Holy Spirit, that you would soften their hearts and help them experience your personal love. I ask that you would go before me. Please create in them the need and desire for you to come into their life. And I ask that you will help me become aware of how you are working, that I might play a part in your work of conversion. In your powerful name I pray, amen.