Mission Impossible

"Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to loosen the chains of spiritual and economic bondage in Africa. Jesus says 'with man this is impossible.' As usual, should you or any member of your I.M. Force be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim." (Adapted from the TV series Mission: Impossible.

Dan Vick, Mark and Margaret Noblin in Kenya.

We at The Rock see that indeed our mission is impossible in our own strength. In a world increasingly focused on quick gratification and feel good results, the job can be disavowed by those faint of heart who prefer not to deal with disappointment along the way. And it is not luck, but God who carries us forward as we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

"With God all things are possible," Jesus said. This was in the context of disciples questioning who can be saved when Jesus told them it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. That statement came when a rich young man went away defeated after Jesus responded to his question about how to gain eternal life by telling him to abandon his possessions and become a disciple.

Giving up all possessions is not a universal command of Jesus, but rather a revealing probe into the real priorities of the rich man's heart. We must shed anything that comes before God in our hearts. It is not having money that corrupts us -- it is the love of money that corrupts, whether we have riches or not.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10) Jesus taught on money more than He did heaven and hell combined - in fact more than anything, except the Kingdom of God. Of 39 parables, 11 address money. And in Luke, one of every seven verses references money.

How we view money is a window into our hearts and reveals whether we are focused on our possessions or on God. So it should not be surprising that money is at the root of every single betrayal and conflict we have experienced both in Africa and the U.S. in more than 10 years of ministry.

Our hearts are broken at a recent stumble by a trusted African brother in the Lord in this area. We believe God has revealed through prayer, experience and His Word that The Rock's focus has been placed too much on projects which inadvertently have tempted those we serve to look upon us as money sources more than faithful teachers of God's Word.

Mercy ministries fulfill a vital role and the Bible commands us to feed and clothe the poor. However, discipleship and leadership development in Africa to break the cycles of dependency and spiritual bondage are the distinct callings God has given us at The Rock.

The devil has been using our own resource of money against us in this effort. So we are led to a new theme as we teach in Africa: "No money, just Jesus." God already has given us the message and vision with our BOLD ministry initiative.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Matthew 8:36)

Thank you as you stand with us in prayer and financially to assist in teaching, equipping and one-on-one discipleship. We believe God for great spiritual breakthroughs. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new "Mission Impossible" assignment in Africa!

 

Dan, Mark and Margaret