MISSIONAL BLOG - CREATE — Mesoamerica Genesis

The Symbolic Nature of Biblical Cities

The Symbolic Nature of Biblical Cities

Jerusalem became the biblical archetype of God’s hope for a city and the possibilities of urban redemption. It was called “the joy of the whole earth” (Psalm 48:2). It radiated divine presence and power: “From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth” (Psalm 50:2). Jerusalem was even declared to be the desired dwelling place of God: “this is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy” (Psalm 132:14-16). This history importantly details that the city of Jerusalem functioned with a centripetal (directed toward the center) flow of mission. Like a missional magnet, the centripetal force of Jerusalem and her temple drew people to its center for the glory and worship of God. The nations were invited to come to Jerusalem and discover the beauty of monotheism and the corporate life of a holy nation created to glorify and worship the one true God.

MM MesoamericaAugust 19, 2023Comment

Call to PRAYER AND FASTING in the Mesoamerica Region

Call to PRAYER AND FASTING in the Mesoamerica Region

We join together in prayer and fasting on April 10,11 and 12, 2020.

7. Teamwork, 8. IntercessionMM MesoamericaApril 10, 2020COVID-19Comment

Eliminate Christian Jargon from Your Church

Eliminate Christian Jargon from Your Church

Could it be that, in our pursuit of Jesus, we may be blocking others from seeing him?

1. Relevant Services, 3. DiscipleshipMM MesoamericaFebruary 7, 2020Comment

14-Point Check Up For Mistakes That Will Hurt Your Leadership

14-Point Check Up For Mistakes That Will Hurt Your Leadership

Leadership isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding endeavors imaginable. Leadership is more art than science, more fluid than structured, and more messy than clean. Therefore, any help we can get for a quick check-up is helpful.

10. Evaluation, 8. Intercession, 7. Teamwork, 6. Leadership, 5. Holiness, 3. Discipleship, 9. Funding the Mission, 1. Relevant ServicesMM MesoamericaNovember 25, 2019Comment

The Top 7 Reasons Guests Return To Your Church

The Top 7 Reasons Guests Return To Your Church

Here’s a new reality, new people connect more slowly than in the past and disconnect more quickly than we’ve previously experienced. It’s a double-edged sword.

1. Relevant Services, 4. New Congregations, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaNovember 18, 2019Comment

5 Steps for Disciple Multiplication

5 Steps for Disciple Multiplication

Paul is saying, in effect, “Timothy, don’t be content with being a Christ follower; think about others, the rest of the world. I know you have a hard time thinking about impact, but I want you to think exponential impact! Let’s live our lives so as to impact at least four generations.”

3. Discipleship, 6. Leadership, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaNovember 11, 2019Comment

The Relevant Church

The Relevant Church

Relevance is not about being cool, creative, and clever; it’s about the ability to connect.

1. Relevant Services, 10. EvaluationMM MesoamericaNovember 4, 2019Comment

Is Your Church Ready For 2019? – 5 Strategic Questions

Is Your Church Ready For 2019? – 5 Strategic Questions

This article by Dan Reiland gives 5 great questions that can be asked of any church that is beginning an evaluation process.

10. Evaluation, 6. Leadership, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaApril 23, 2019Comment

Urban Evangelism (part 2)

Urban Evangelism (part 2)

Jeremiah continues his prophecy and tells the Israelites to involve their children in marriage ceremonies and to increase in number. We are talking about generational impact in the city – our evangelism must produce transformation and change that will be seen for generations in the city.

1. Relevant Services, 4. New Congregations, 8. Intercession, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaJanuary 9, 2019Comment

Urban Evangelism (part 1)

Urban Evangelism (part 1)

You might be thinking that city evangelization is no different than in the suburbs or rural areas, but you’d be wrong. How do we make Christlike disciples of people that live a fast-paced life and don’t have time for Jesus? How do we create relationship and gain the trust of someone that works 7 days a week? What does hope look like in the midst of substance abuse, gangs and poverty?

1. Relevant Services, 4. New Congregations, 7. Teamwork, 8. IntercessionMM MesoamericaJanuary 7, 2019Comment

How To Pray For Your Pastor

How To Pray For Your Pastor

Nothing shapes the outcomes of your church more than prayer, and the longer I lead, the more I understand and appreciate the prayers of faithful intercessors.

7. Teamwork, 6. Leadership, 1. Relevant ServicesMM MesoamericaDecember 14, 2018Comment

Great Leaders Think Small by Gustavo Crocker

Great Leaders Think Small by Gustavo Crocker

Great leaders think of children as essential players in God’s kingdom and God’s plan of reconciliation. They see them as central to their mission.

3. Discipleship, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaNovember 1, 2018Comment

What I Wish I Had Known about Stewardship by Dave Briggs

What I Wish I Had Known about Stewardship by Dave Briggs

Five insights that changed my awkward relationship with this core part of the Christian life and church ministry.

9. Funding the MissionMM MesoamericaOctober 24, 2018Comment

Pastors, The Church Is Not Our Personal Platform by Karl Vaters

Pastors, The Church Is Not Our Personal Platform by Karl Vaters

The church does not exist to give us an audience for our ideas, projects or egos. It exists to fulfill Christ’s purposes.

1. Relevant Services, 6. LeadershipMM MesoamericaOctober 18, 2018Comment

Let Me In by Scott Armstrong

Let Me In by Scott Armstrong

What good is training if the missionaries do not have a deep desire to love the downcast and brokenhearted around them? That is something we cannot teach or motivate into them.

4. New Congregations, 2. CompassionMM MesoamericaOctober 11, 2018 Comment

3 Ways To Become The Godly Elders/Mentors Today’s Youth Need – And Want To Follow by Karl Vaters

3 Ways To Become The Godly Elders/Mentors Today’s Youth Need – And Want To Follow by Karl Vaters

3. Discipleship, 6. LeadershipMM MesoamericaAugust 30, 2018Comment

What to do When People Want a Church to Grow...but not Change By Carey Nieuwhof

What to do When People Want a Church to Grow...but not Change By Carey Nieuwhof

Here are 6 things you can do to tackle the challenge of leading a group that wants to grow but doesn’t want to change:

10. Evaluation, 6. Leadership, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaAugust 22, 2018Comment

4 Ways to Involve Everyone in Evangelism

4 Ways to Involve Everyone in Evangelism

3. Discipleship, 6. Leadership, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaAugust 10, 2018Relationships, Teaching, GospelComment

Five Ways to Invest in the Next Generation of Leaders

Five Ways to Invest in the Next Generation of Leaders

They don’t just need to learn ministry skills; they need to develop the character that supports the work God wants to do in and through them.

1. Relevant Services, 3. Discipleship, 5. Holiness, 6. Leadership, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaJune 7, 2018Comment

Creator God

Creator God

He came into the room and handed me a little box and said “Merry Christmas, I hope you like it.”

5. Holiness, 2. Compassion, 7. TeamworkMM MesoamericaMay 31, 2018Comment