A Word From The President: Questions of Departure

By Michael G. Loftis, ABWE President

As our flight lifts off and banks toward the Austrian Alps, my eyes drift toward the window and a lump rises in my throat. My wife, JoBeth, and I are departing from the same place where our ministry journey began in January 1987. Today we are returning from ABWE's Central and Eastern Europe biennial conference in Slovenia. What was a dream in 1987 is now reality. Nations that defied the God of heaven now see the birth of new churches. Where no church planting missionaries existed, over 80 ABWE missionaries now co-labor with national partners to develop church planting movements in several nations. How amazing is the plan of our almighty Father to whom be all glory!

Yet as I gaze on the landscape passing beneath the airplane's wings, questions linger in my mind, like a campfire refusing to die. These are questions every missionary on every field must face. Did we give out the gospel as faithfully as possible? Did we encourage our teammates enough? Did we truly live out our commitment to total partnership with national co-workers? Will the ministry remain strong and healthy after we leave?

My heart warms as I reflect on the solemn commitments field leaders and missionaries made at the conference. They renewed their promises to stay the course, to pursue the vision to the finish line. "Lord, protect them, provide all they need, and strengthen them for the journey that lies down an unknown road into the future."

Soon we, who are believers in Jesus Christ, will rise at the sound of His voice calling us home. As we look back at the earth receding in the distance, what questions will we ask? Did we lift high the cross of Jesus Christ? Did our behavior match the testimony of our words to a watching world? Did we boldly and faithfully proclaim the words of eternal truth to a dying world? We'll know the answers soon enough. At that moment we won't be able to change a thing-but NOW we can. "Oh Father, enable us to live today in such a way that we can answer 'yes' to the questions awaiting us on your return."