Firstlight International is on the move! Taken from our July 2006 newsletter, here are the “growth steps” required that are leading Firstlight International from where we are now to where we want to be. Inside here, you are going to learn the A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s & E’s of How Do We Get There From Here? The daily disciplines of these five steps are producing wonderful fruit. Read more below!
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How Do We Get There From Here?
“And your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
In the spring of 1997, I had an experience while walking through the jungles of Borneo that I would not soon forget: We had been on the trail for several hours before we realized we were lost. Pastor Ginting, our host pastor in the country had arranged for us to visit a tribal church. To get there meant a seven-hour walk through this jungle on the island of Borneo in the country of Indonesia. The purpose for this trip was to distribute gospel literature and show the Jesus film among Sundanese (Muslim) villages that were scattered throughout the island.
After drinking our last bit of clean water, our team soon learned that dehydration is very real. At the point of total exhaustion, and before heading up the side of the mountain towards the next part of our journey, we met a man on the trail. When Pastor Ginting asked the man if he knew which trail was the way to the village of the Dyaks, the man said: “Follow the trail that goes between the two mountains.” As simplistic and strange as these directions sounded to our Western minds, they appeared to be right. That night, we arrived in the village several hours after dark, totally exhausted, but happy to have made it to our final destination. We went on from there to prayerwalk many other villages of the Sundanese and to show the Jesus film in each place. As each person saw the film and received Christian literature, many asked if they could see another film about Jesus.
Beloved, right now we are moving in a direction in the development of Firstlight International that is going to require that we know where we are going, and we are working on a way that we believe will get us from where we are now to where we want to be. The following is what I call: The A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s and E’s of how we will get from where we are now, to where I believe the Lord is leading us.
A. The A stands for Articulate
To articulate the vision. Much of our time over the past few months while we are in the States has been articulating the vision of Firstlight International with just about everyone we know. It starts by looking at the overall vision of what it is that we are trying to accomplish and beginning to break it down into “bite-sized” pieces so that people can clearly see what it is that we are trying to do, so that they can respond to it in the right way. It’s one thing to have a vision, it’s another thing to be able to define it and make it clear so that others can see it as well. To do so means that we articulate the vision.
B. The B is for Build Solid Teams
Broadening our prayer base and building solid teams is a step we need to take that will lead us to where we want to be. We want solid teams of people who are making their contributions through commitments of their time, talents and with their treasure. The board of directors of Firstlight International are a team. Our monthly financial contributors and those who are praying are a team. Each new partner will create a stronger team and increase our effectiveness.
C. The C is for Communication – To communicate our purposes.
This new level of growth will require an increase in our communications. We are learning that people need information in order for them to act responsibly. By increasing the level of our communications, it will create opportunities for more people to get involved. As information is being shared, people will act in a responsible way.
D. The D is for Develop Resources
By articulating the vision, building solid teams, increasing the level of our communications, we will develop the resources needed to reach more people with the gospel. Which brings us to the next and final letter, the letter E.
E. The E is for Expanding Our Programs & Our Projects
The mission of Firstlight International is to fulfill the great commission through evangelism, discipleship and church planting. Expanding our programs to reach more people is where we need to be. If anyone asks where we are heading, you can tell them How To Get There From Here.
