EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP & MISSIONS (EDM)

By David Pam McQuel At Bethlehem, God demonstrated that to love is to give. It was the launch of an epic programme that will bring forth the full expression of His mercy. It was the masterpiece of His desire. John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life ." It was for love that Jesus came. It wasn't to prove anything or show off. It was just a simple act of God's compassion. He gave us free love. Jesus was given to us as the greatest act of God's love, not because we were God, but because of His goodness. While we were dead in our sins, set in our wicked ways, Jesus came. People show kindness to people who are kind but while we were rebellious He showed us his full kindness. What are we going to do in respect to what Christ has done for us? We as His people must respond in a certain emphatic way. Jesus illustrated this in a teaching regarding hi

By David Pam McQuel The birth of Christ was one of the extraordinary event to have ever happened on earth. It was also the most intriguing. Its the only event that all the role players didn't know what was going on. It was not just one lump story, everyone involved struggled in ignorance and didn't just know what to make of it. Herod's Palace King Herod Was at the peak of his glory. He was handpicked by Rome. He had powerful alliances. There was no fear of a coup d'etat, monarchical rivalry or of an impending elections. He had money, booze and limitless women of his choice. He had the swimming pools, the cattle ranch and the wildlife reserve. Then a threat came. Visitors from the East with first of all an ignorable rumour, of a prophesied king. He has never faced a threat in his entire life. He didn't know what to do with this or how to react, until the threat became real. Then he call in the advisers. "What's this madness I'm hear

By David Pam McQuel The prophet Isaiah 750 years ahead heard these words: " 6 For to us a child is born,     to us a son is given,     and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace     there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne     and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it     with justice and righteousness     from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty     will accomplish this."                                     Isaiah 9:6-7 This words were as if God needed to reemphasize what Isaiah heard earlier in, with even more precision: "13  Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?  14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give bir

By David Pam McQuel Merry Christmas! As we all are aware, the festive season is here. No matter what your religious or theological conviction is, you certainly cannot ignore the season. So much expectations, so much preparations and so many plans. Christmas is a time of joy for so many. Especially those who affiliate with Christianity and those who look forward to making financial gain from sales. For others it is the holiday attached to it. A much anticipated time of rest and social gatherings. Among Christians, the debate will rage again as to whether Christmas is biblical or pagan, how it all started, and how serious Christians should either be involved or abstain. While many write it off as a Catholic ritual and others see it as the Roman emperor Constantine defiling a thriving Church. And others argue vehemently on the exact month of birth of Christ. Surely the theological warfare is at boiling point. There are two things we need to focus on. 1. The fact

By David Pam McQuel "The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions." 1Samuel 3:2 Samuel came into the tabernacle not as an employee. He was not trying to survive. His mom gave him over to the Lord in fulfillment of her pledge to God a few years back. It is amazing that these days, people have lots of plans and desires for their kids, ministry is hardly one of them. It is as if careers like law, medicine, military, business and aviation are noble while serving in God's house is for rejects. Nothing can be farther from the truth. There is no career or profession to compare with serving wholeheartedly in the ministry. The sons of Eli bragged on their dad being the high priest of Israel  though they neither understood nor valued the priesthood. Their dad's ministry only gave them pride and fame. They took advantage of the rights and privileges that came with it to extort,

By David McQuel It is amazing how many Christians are indifferent to missions. Looking closer, i notice that it is borne out of limited information on the place and need for Christian missions today. In fact, someone even dare say that the time of missionaries has passed. To assume that the gospel is already preached everywhere because there are three churches in your village is a capital deception. To help, here are Seven things you should know as a Christian regarding the kingdom and missions. 1. Jesus envisioned a missionary Church not a corporate church Matthew 28:19 «Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." The only pursuit that Jesus left for the Church was missions. It was going to be the core and foundation of the life and effort of the Chur

By David Pam McQuel A lot has changed about Christianity today from its initial conception. In as much as diversity and differences of understanding is a good thing and biblical, unity of the faith is ultimate. Paul said ministry gifts placed in church are for our edification and growth.  Ephesians 4:11 "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; And when we get matured to tne measure of the stature of Christ, it will show in "14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may gr

By David Pam McQuel "According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor..." Philippians 1:20-22 NKJV In mid 1991 I was 20 years and a few months old, already two years in full time ministry, serving in a small church holding in a primary school. It was quiet a great moment in my life. The future was unsure but the hunger for God in my heart was beyond boiling point. My Senior Pastor then, was a great evangelist. He went to minister in a crusade and came back with some new friends for me, they were on fire for God. This three girls were in Junior high school and aged between 15 and 16. A revival had broken in their village, Where behind the famous Shere Hills Tourist site, through the three and the whole

By IDOABASI IKPO “Whoever goes to war at his own expense” 1 Corinthians 9:7a) “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent” (Romans 10:13-15a Emphasis mine). According to All Nation English Dictionary, cause is defined as an aim for which a person or a group works. A cause is an aim or principle which a group of people supports or is fighting for. If you say that something is in a good cause or for a good cause, you mean that it is worth doing or giving to. Funding is money which a government or organization or an individual provides for a particular purpose. A fund is an amount of money that is collected or saved for a particular purpose. When a person or organization funds something, they provide money for it. As followers of Jesus, do we believe in H

By David Pam McQuel Physical death is probably the worst effect of the curse. We will love to just live together forever with loved ones. Death comes to all, the times and methods may vary but it eventually comes. Somehow the body gets tired of fighting, gets worn out and just can't support the inner man anymore. So man returns to his Maker. In my 29 years of ministry, I have had a few occasions to officiate over burial ceremonies. Most of them people I pastored other times, total strangers. Every home going ceremony differs from the other. It is called home going because man returns to his eternal home. 2Corinthians 5:5  'For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan,

By David Pam McQuel The central goal of the church is missions. Judging from the last instructions of Jesus in Acts 1:8 coupled with the corresponding activities of the Church in Jerusalem, there was an absolute accord between Jesus and His followers. 8  "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It is imperative to note that the church in Jerusalem exploded as soon as it took off. 3000 additional members in just the first day service commenced! That is a super phenomenal growth, unequalled in history. Within a short time, the church had hit 5,000 committed members whose commitment showed in selling landed properties and giving all the proceeds for the work of the kingdom. 5,000 committed believers that’s a very strong economic block! And yet the neither thought, planned nor tried to build a massive cathedral! They didn't use their mo

By David Pam McQuel This week, I made a post on Facebook stating that instead of praying that Jesus should come back now, let's take the gospel to those who never heard it. And in response, a gentleman wrote these words expressing his personal opinion:   "He'll be here soon. Because of satellite communications. We have reached all nations. All prophecies have been fulfilled. Now we wait and pray!" He added, "I've seen a lot of Pastors who have talked about how they and many other people have been doing missionary work in the country's you speak of. Many are installing wells, feeding and giving medicine to these villages. At the same time Gods word is being shared. Many will tell you that almost all the world has been reached. So not sure where you have been or who you get your information from, but just because you have been doing this for 22 years. Doesn't mean you are totally informed. I've been a follower of our Lord for over 50 year