ADVANCING GOD'S KINGDOM
The following is an expanded version of the article in the Summer 2007 issue of IGNITE.
Webster’s dictionary defines growth as “progressive development.” Stonecroft Ministries is in the thick of developing its current strategies and programs to successfully spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We asked six staff members working and living in the field to give us their thoughts on expanding kingdom growth.
What does “kingdom building” mean to you?
Rebelling Against the Status Quo
Loving People as Jesus Did
A Mission, A Mindset, A Moment
Cultivating Eternal Relationships
The Lord’s Prayer Lived Out
REBELLING AGAINST THE STATUS QUO
Paula Pitzler, Field Director, Washington
Growing up in Virginia, I learned to identify with the label of “rebel.” To be labeled as a rebel as a Christian is not a far stretch because I believe Jesus was a rebel in His time and He expects nothing less from His followers. By this I mean that Jesus stood against the status quo. He came to defeat death and the hold that sin had on the world. What Jesus did was to establish His Kingdom for us to see. He made a way for us to come under His merciful and loving rule and to participate in building His Kingdom as well.
Having even a small part in rebelling against the status quo of sin and evil in the world is such a privilege for me. Working with the dedicated volunteers of Stonecroft Ministries has made me much more aware of the responsibility and the joys of serving together to accomplish the mission of building God’s Kingdom on earth. It brings such joy to hear that another woman has given the rule of her life to the Lord and is no longer dominated by sin.
Stonecroft Ministries has a mission to encourage and equip women to impact their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In short, our mission is to build the Kingdom of God. I cannot imagine being part of a bigger, more audacious goal than that. Yet we are accomplishing that mission, woman by woman, day by day.
While the Kingdom is being, there is so much work to be done. The evil one is wreaking havoc on the lives of those whom we love, those, we work with, those who cut our hair, and those who babysit our children. I pray for more women who would love to rebel against the status quo. Won’t you pray to the Lord of the harvest and ask Him for workers to harvest the fields? Then keep your eyes open--because He plans to answer that prayer.
LOVING PEOPLE AS JESUS DID
Chuck and Sara Stophel, Stonecroft Couples National Directors
Kingdom building is an outcome of loving people as Jesus did. When we are intentional about reaching out and getting to know those who do not yet know Jesus, God opens doors for ministry. So many times we come into a relationship with a non-Christian solely for the purpose of "winning them to Christ.” We steer every conversation toward Christ and many times don’t really listen to what the other person is saying. When we really care, we listen, we are concerned, we laugh, and we love. It’s amazing how people do open up when they feel that you really care.
When we care for people the way Jesus does, they are drawn to us and our light can be seen clearly.
A MISSION, A MINDSET, A MOMENT
Gail Dudley, Field Director, Ohio and New York
The New Testament word for kingdom refers both to the reign of a king and the realm created by that king’s influence. When we talk about building the Kingdom what we are saying is that we are called to work towards a life where the Lord Jesus Christ has ultimate and obvious influence. There are three ideas that we as faithful Christians should consider if we are to help to build the Kingdom of God.
First, God calls all Christians to embrace a Kingdom mission. In Luke 4:43 Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Our mission is the mission of our Lord. Everything we do must be designed to advance the Gospel. People need good news. In a world where depression, violence, division, hopelessness, and abuse are so prevalent, building the Kingdom is daring to preach a different message—a message of hope, love, healing, unity, and life.
Second, to be successful in our Kingdom mission, we must become Kingdom-minded. John 3:3 reads, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” We allow God’s Word and God’s will to condition our thoughts, attitudes, plans, dreams, perspectives, and desires. Instead of surrendering to limited vision and the worldly view of life, we have the benefit of a God who loves us enough to give us the mind of Christ. Where others see failure and fear, we can have faith, knowing that we have an eternal promise of relationship with the Creator of the universe.
Last, we are living in a Kingdom moment. What a wonderful opportunity we have before us to help people come into relationship with Jesus Christ. As we do so, we take part in building the Kingdom of God. We don't have any time to waste. Let’s allow our words and actions to reflect Jesus, who is alive within us.
CULTIVATING ETERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
Toni Sandberg, Field Director, Florida and Georgia
Kingdom building starts with relationship building. How do we build relationships? Relationships mean people and people are everywhere. We start with the people that God has put in our homes, our jobs, our churches, our neighborhoods and schools. We prayerfully ask the Lord to give us His vision for the people that we already come in contact with and ask for an eternal perspective as we build our relationships with them. As we discover and experience these relationships, our love for the Lord, our passion for the lost, and our hunger to know Him deeper will become contagious to the beloved ones He has placed in our paths. As they become lovers of Jesus, they will also have this eternal perspective as they go and minister to the people in their lives. That’s Kingdom building.
In what ways are we seeing the people in our lives the way Jesus sees them? Let's begin and continue our Kingdom building one person at a time so that our vision and mission to reach the lost is fruitful and brings glory to our Father.
THE LORD'S PRAYER LIVED OUTt
Doris Thompson, Field Director, California
To me, Kingdom growth is advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. I think of the Lord’s Prayer when Jesus said “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That happens through the Great Commission—the sharing of the Gospel so that kingdom can be multiplied and expanded. But is also means advancing the existing kingdom through discipleship of people and ourselves so we can experience the heights and depths of God’s love to the fullest we are capable in our lifetime.
What I love about Stonecroft is our mission to share the Gospel is advancing the kingdom. It’s also exciting is to hear how women have come to a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ than they ever thought possible because of their commitment to serve in His greatest cause. As I think of the kingdom of God on earth as it is heaven, I can’t even imagine the beautiful love relationship with Christ we will have one day. Helping women to experience an ever increasing depth of that relationship through mentoring and discipling is such a great desire of mine. As we all learn to grow in our faith through serving our Lord, our love relationship with Him just deepens and grows. Coming alongside of Him in His work and seeking Him with all of our heart is a great privilege with great rewards.
Advancing the Kingdom! How large can it be and how deep and wide will we allow ourselves to go? I do pray that in our mere lifetime on this earth—somehow we can experience the depths and heights of His love. 