Dear church,

I guess our church theme this year could be called, “Will you go?”

How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone showing and telling them? Romans 10:14.

There is a call to go and gather, to show and tell others about what we know of Jesus Christ, the King and his Kingdom.

Taking our cue from John 4:35-38:

Do you not say, “Four months more and then the harvest?” I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying “One sows and another reaps” is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Now, is the time to reach out, to bring hope. Not in another four months or in another season. Confident about reaping a harvest, because the really ”hard work’s done” by God. It is the grace of God.

And Romans 15:13 reminds me that, as you put your trust in God for the harvest, he shall fill you with all joy and peace, so that you overflow in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you know that studies on effective gathering show that it could take up to 7 positive experiences before a person can make a meaningful decision about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ? Furthermore, it is often a friend of the person who helped show and tell.

It is helpful for us to see that gathering is a process or progression, from sowing to reaping as described by Jesus. And so in our showing and telling, we should intentionally be:

- Getting people to “know that God is good, and Christians are ok”. (Sowing 1)

- Getting people to “know the content of the gospel”. (Sowing 2)

- Getting people to “know the cost and benefit involved”, and leading them to “take the step of faith into the kingdom and accept Jesus”. (Reaping)

And so to carry out NLV’s theme for 2010, we should be organizing a series of events where friends can bring friends. Offer regular and progressive opportunities for all of us to show and tell, or sow and reap as described above.

As we roll out our plans for the year, will you go out of your comfort zone and routine and help with ideas, and more importantly with the work of championing and organizing the events?

Will you go out of your way and bring friends to our gathering events?

Will go with me, and show and tell others about what we know of Jesus Christ, the King and his Kingdom?

And you know what? Even as we go and gather, we shall grow, and we shall be enlarging the scope of our good works, and come into his promise of great fruitfulness!