Author name: Tom Stuart

The key to a successful mission outreach

News & Reflections /

All short term mission outreaches begin with great expectations, but not all of them necessarily meet them. I know this is true because as a pastor I have been involved in sending many teams out over the years into cross cultural settings and heard their reports when they return. And I have been on a number of teams and come back with mixed emotions about what I had experienced. I share this candidly but reservedly, idealism about such things was eventually pummeled out of me and I reluctantly settled for the one key to success that will always deliver and never disappoint – low expectations.

All that changed as a result of my recent participation on our church’s eight day outreach to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It categorically far exceeded every expectation and has begun a restoration of healthy idealism in my soul. It has also caused me to think more deeply about what makes for a successful short term mission outreach.

How do you measure whether or not an outreach is successful or effective? Obviously success is in the eyes of the beholder; not only in the eyes of those who go, but even more importantly in the eyes of those who are the recipients. But ultimately, and we often forget this, it is what God sees that really matters.

In God’s eyes success is measured by our obedience of faith to His calling and faithfulness in seeking to bring Him glory. The gold standard and ultimate motivation for any mission sending endeavor always has to go back to John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that who ever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Every mission outreach, no matter what the results, is successful in God’s eyes if it flows out of obedience to the great commission and focuses on glorifying God through preaching of the Gospel and expanding His kingdom.

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4 reasons outreaches are life changing

2 Comments / News & Reflections /

As I reflect upon my week just spent in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, I am realizing afresh what a life changing experience a cross cultural missions outreach can be.Our team of fifteen from Bridgewood Community Church, took some time last Saturday morning before our departure to debrief. The clear consensus was that each of our lives was unalterably touched by God through our relationships with one another, and especially with the people of Cabo.

As is typical of most forays into a strange place and immersion in a different culture, we shared common fears and worries. Would we be able to make the necessary adjustments in the accommodations, food, time schedule and the many demands put upon us to complete our ministry goals? How would we be received by the people we had come to serve? How much of a challenge would the language barrier be in our communication with one another?

In retrospect we can see how all of these fears were allayed by the faithfulness of God. It never ceases to amaze me how everything on an outreach can end up working out for good and for His glory. God’s just-in-time breakthroughs and provision always prevail. And divine connections, the providential meeting and bringing together of key individuals, always delight.

Why are outreaches so life changing?

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More news from Cabo

2 Comments / News & Reflections /

Greetings from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Our Bridgewood Community Church missions team continues to stand in awe of all that God is doing here in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I feel like John when he wrote in his Gospel that if everything Jesus did were to be recorded there would not be enough blogs in the world to contain it. (John 21:25)

Since my last report, two days ago, we have seen Him touch so many lives and accomplish so many amazing things. Here is a brief summary of some of the highlights:

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News from Cabo

News & Reflections /

Dios te bendiga! God bless you from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Since arriving mid day on Saturday, our missions team of fifteen from Bridgewood Community Church have all joyfully jumped right into action. The needs here are great, but God in His grace has prepared the way and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve Him and the precious people here.

The little missions church of Alpha y Omega is the focus of our week of service. It is located in a very poor neighborhood of what is becoming the sprawling metropolis of Cabo. With the difficult economic times more and more Mexicans are making their way to tourist destinations like this one in search of work. Make shift homes from whatever material can be acquired are springing up in areas where the development of infrastructure cannot keep pace. Many of these neighborhoods, served only by dusty pot-holed streets, have no electricity or running water.

Pastor Juan and his wife Patty founded the Alpha y Omega ministry just five years ago. They are deeply motivated by their concern for neglected children and desire to bring healing to adults ravaged by the hopelessness of sin. Both Juan and Patty have personally experienced the pain and suffering of those to whom God has called them to minister. But both have also experienced the amazing power of Jesus who has healed and set them free.

Juan was born into a family where he was one of the youngest of eighteen children. His desire to make something of himself turned him into a driven man pursuing a government career at the expense of his marriage and family. He ended up separated from Patty but Jesus came into his life in his mid forties, restored his marriage and called him into the ministry.

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5 ways God makes us holy

1 Comment / Relationship with God /

“Discipline…produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Does a loving God spank His kids? You bet! It is the last resort of a discipline process He uses to conform us to the image of His Son. Spanking is just one of five basic means God uses to communicate to us what is right and wrong, the consequences of our choices and how to get right with Him. All His means of discipline are motivated by His love for us. He wants to protect us from harm and prepare us for faithful service, but ultimately His purpose is to make us holy. “God (disciplines) us for our good in order that we may share in His holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

Here are the five basic ways that God disciplines and trains us in holiness.

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