Is There Not a Cause?

Many, I'm sure will ask, "Is your project a ministry of a local church?"

The short answer to the question is, No - but keep reading...

At this point, we are not a ministry as you would think of one in the context that many ministries are thought of in respect to churches.

This is one man's dream of striving to help missionaries by launching an independent one-time project. 

Now, I really hope that someday we can do this all again and fund more "lilypads", but it's nothing more than a fundraiser to help complete the building of a local church on the foreign field. 

Being really big on making sure things are Biblical, I consulted the Bible for Its counsel on the subject of fundraisers and things like that. What I found was interesting. 

For those of you who ask about whether or not this is a ministry of a local church, here's your answer:

Act 11:27-30  

 "And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

Now, as you read the context here, you'll see that from the church in Jerusalem was sent unto the church in Antioch prophets. During an assembly (or church service, we would say), they had a prophet stand up and prophesy that there would be a famine in the years ahead. Therefore, the disciples took up an offering and gave individually as much as they could toward the local church in Jerusalem. Then the church of Antioch sent that offering via two faithful servants named Barnabas and Saul who had been working and teaching in the church of Antioch. This would seem to restrict any contributions to the work of God to be done strictly through the local church. But does it? We have no record of whether or not other churches in the area were asked for relief, but we do know that Antioch was. Let's think about this: each one of us should be a member of a church somewhere. You will be asked to partake in this offering for a local church in Kharkov. If it is your standard to do so, please present this project to your church and they can contribute to the cause. This project will be headed up by myself assisted by a team in partnership with FaithLauncher under the blessing and authority of Faith Bible Baptist Church in Kharkov Ukraine. 

 

Sometimes, it is necessary to break out and do something unexpected...

If you think back to Sunday School when you learned about Jonathan and his armor bearer sneaking away from their Israelite army as they relaxed on the frontline, you'll remember that their valor was neither condoned by King Saul nor their victory congratulated when they returned. Here we would all agree that Jonathan and his armor bearer did the right thing because King Saul wasn't doing what needed to be done.

We do not strive to promote and complete this project to receive any recognition, we do so that the objective of missions may be accomplished. We may be few, but there is a job to do.

To the skeptics who watch with no involvement for whatever reasons they claim; When like Eliab, uninvolved people fling their accusations, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle." I will quote little David who had the right focus and purpose, "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"