WHAT DO WE DO WITHOUT THE POWELLS?

We have often used Acts 13:1-5 as a model for ministry. There, we find five of the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch worshiping the Lord and fasting. That's when the Holy Spirit told them to dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the work to which He had called them. Two of the five were called away! Notice what the Spirit called them to do--NOT to confirm the calling, but to dedicate them. Barnabas and Saul had heard the calling, but the task of the other three was to further fast and pray, and then to lay hands on them and send them on their way. This is what our leadership team is being called to do now.

Tom and his family have clearly heard a call from the Lord to move back to Tom's hometown and start a church there. It has been confirmed by virtually all members of the family. So, what now, for those of us who are left? Perhaps more of us are being called away, as well. Ben and Cindy Mathis have found a church near their house, where they and their extended family feel called. There will probably be others, as well.

The church began in the city of Jerusalem, and within a year or two (the first seven chapters of Acts), there were thousands of believers in that city. Then came chapter 8:1 "A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria." Imagine how the church staff must have felt about this. We have twenty-thousand people one Sunday, and the next week there are only forty. Life as we now know it is coming to an end. The church of Jerusalem is dead.

But read verse 4: "But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus." The church multiplied all over the known world, not because of human plans, but because God is sovereign over even persecution. Had it not been for that wave of persecution, who knows how history (and my own salvation) might have been affected?

"LORD, this is a crisis and an opportunity for us. I come to you with earnestness, seeking your face anew, wanting to hear from You. I will watch. I will pray. I will listen. I will stay. Let me speak. Let me learn. I repent. I return. Amen."