Message Magazine Online - Vol. 54, No. 01, Spring 2006

In This Issue

• The Big Picture
  By Donna Messenger
• To the End of the Earth - Are We There Yet?
  By Michael G. Loftis, President
• The End of the Earth - Are We There Yet?
  By Donna Messenger
• A DISTANT THUNDER
  By Bill Commons
• Sent Out from the Developing World
  By Craig Kennedy, Philippines
• The Missionary Family: MK Education Abroad
  By Russell E. Ebersole, Jr.
• Cultivating Heart Soil
  By Wayne Haston
• Reaching Farther Through Healthcare Ministries
  By Becky Davey
• Ministering to the Disabled
  By Diane Koroski
• Reaching Street Kids on the Sidewalks of Brazil
  By Tim Hoganson, Brazil
• Three Certainties: Death, Taxes, and Missions
  By Spencer Jackson
• Children's Corner
  

The Big Picture

Every once in awhile it’s good for us to step back and look at the big picture. It’s a way to measure progress and determine strategies for the future. Our desire in selecting this theme for the Message was to take that step backwards, look carefully at the Great Commission task, and evaluate our progress. How are we doing? Are we done yet?

We hope that as you read this issue of the Message you will see that the answer is No, we are not finished! There is still much to do in the task of world evangelism. There are many people yet to be reached with the gospel. Have you ever stepped back and analyzed your involvement in world evangelism? Your part may be to teach Sunday school, work in Awana, serve on a missions committee, or witness to your neighbors and coworkers. Others of us have the privilege of living in another country and learning another language and culture. And certainly we all can pray. 

I am a big picture person. I love knowing how my work fits into the grand scheme of things. Over the last year I have given significant thought to my role in that big picture, and I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to move back overseas. This is my last issue of the Message as editor, and I am grateful for the many different ways the Lord has allowed me to use my gifts over the years.

We are transferring the editorial responsibilities to Angela Shuff, who comes to ABWE with both education and experience in communications. Pray for her as she has much to learn in the weeks ahead. She has a tremendous heart for missions, and I pray that the Lord will give her wisdom as she prepares each issue of the Message.

Lord willing, within the next year, I will move to Singapore to join the administration of Asia Baptist Theological Seminary. They have invited me to be the Director of Student and Alumni Relations. ABTS provides accredited graduate-level theological education for church leaders in many countries of southeast Asia. ABTS is a cooperative program between Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ABWE. Before I came to ABWE in 1993, I worked for ten years at Cornerstone, so this will bring together my love for students and love for missions into one unique ministry. I will be grateful for your prayers as I travel to seek the support team that the Lord has for me. Thank you for the privilege of serving you as editor of the Message, and thank you for your faithful prayers for ABWE.

For the Kingdom,

Donna Messenger
Editor