There is an amazing report from the field about an 80-year-old man named Naitik who heard about Jesus for the first time through a GFA-supported pastor. The story describes how through prayer and the power of Christ, the lives of this man and his wife were radically and miraculously changed.
“Although I had spent my whole life in darkness, now I have found light in Jesus. He is really God,” Naitik said. “I want to live for Him for the rest of my life.”
When I read reports like this, it’s a wonderful reminder to me that by serving here on staff at Gospel for Asia, I’m making a difference for God’s kingdom.
As far back as high school, I can remember wanting my life to be productive and mean something. I’ve been on staff with Gospel for Asia (GFA) for about four years now and consider it an honor that my vocation is within a ministry having such an incredible impact. I know we, as Christians, can bring glory to God in our work no matter what our job is. Verses like Colossians 3:23 have brought me much security over the years, because I know that whatever my “job” is, I can do it unto the Lord. Therefore, I am serving Christ and bringing glory to Him.
It’s a privilege, though, and special to my heart that the job God has given me for the past four years has such an eternal impact.
My specific role in ministry here at Gospel for Asia (GFA) is within our School of Discipleship, a one-year “gap” program for young adults. Gospel for Asia (GFA) School of Discipleship provides young people the opportunity to be part of a close, loving community of believers, while they grow deeply in their walk with Christ and make a difference for God’s kingdom.
One way they impact eternity is through the program component we call Vocational Training Assignment (VTA).
For 25 hours each week, students serve in different departments within Gospel for Asia (GFA), such as Fulfillment, Web, IT, Ministry Partnerships and Facility Maintenance. In their department, they work right alongside the staff of Gospel for Asia, doing much of the same behind-the-scenes work we as staff do. As the larger body of Christ hears about the wonderful things God is doing in Asia, like in the life of Naitik, people partner with us in different ways, and lives are changed in Asia. VTA is one way students can experience some of what the staff at GFA are blessed to experience full time.
Having such a significant portion of the program pertain to volunteering in the office doesn’t just benefit the lives of people in Asia, it’s also meaningful in the lives of students.
“It is amazing to be able to learn from the staff and to help serve beside them in the office,” said one recent graduate. “There is much joy in knowing that we can make a difference for our brothers and sisters on the mission field.”
I praise the Lord that I can see firsthand the younger generation stepping forward to not just know Christ but to make a difference for His kingdom. I pray 2018 will be a year of much joy for them—and you—as together, we journey with Christ and serve Him with our lives so more people, like Naitik, can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
=====
Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.
Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: GFA.net | Wiki | Flickr
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In