See, Move, Pray, Send

".. .it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith..." (Jude 1:3, KJV).

Have you ever noticed that there are certain biblical exhortations that call us to action? Jude calls us to "contend" (Gk. epagonizomai) or "earnestly struggle" for the faith. Other passages may not use the word "contend" but still provide an abiding sense of "earnest struggle." For me, one of those passages is...

"But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers in His harvest"' (Matt. 9:36-38, NKJV).

Notice the "earnest struggle" of contending for Matthew 9:36-38.

First, we must contend to see the lost. Until we genuinely see those who are without a Shepherd, we will walk right passed them without addressing their eternity.

Second, we must contend to be moved for the lost. How can we win the lost if we're not moved by those who are weary and scattered? Jesus was "moved with compassion" (Gk. splagchnizomai) or "down deep in His bowels." When something happens "down deep in our heart," we are moved to respond.

Third, we must contend to pray for the lost. One of the greatest action steps in reaching the lost is to pray for them. Often our prayers become the catalyst to overcoming the cares of life and the distractions of the superficial.

Fourth, we must contend to send for the lost. Of course, the implication here in Matthew 9 is that God does the sending while we do the praying. Yet, other scriptural passages challenge us to "go into all the world" (Matt. 28:19) or "let our light shine" (Matt. 5:16). In other words, our prayers should also lead us to Isaiah the prophet's declaration, "Here am I! Send me" (Is. 7:8).

Candidly, after "earnestly struggling" with this passage for several weeks, I pulled up the International Children's Bible (ICB), which translated it in a way that leaped off the page:

"God owns the harvest. Pray to Him that He will send more workers to help gather His harvest" (Matt. 9:38, ICB).

Immediately in my spirit, I could see this giant map of the world with the words, "God owns the harvest," and every nation with a PCG presence setting missional goals concerning reaching new nations, next-gen leaders, ministers and churches, and believers.

I remembered the prophetic word of the Lord that went forth during our first General Assembly of a 2^nd-Century PCG this past June, 2021, that the Pentecostal Church of God would see...

• 100 Nations (Global)
• 1,000 new Next-Gen Leaders (U.S.)
• 10,000 Ministers and Churches (Global)
• 1,000,000 Christians (Global)

Someone might say that our missional goals may be too lofty, but ultimately, we can rest in the biblical perspective that "God gives the increase." If we plant and water-our part, He will give the increase-His part. Here's the question that instinctively remains: Will we contend for the PCG? Will we contend for the mission of the Church?

The decade of the 2020s has begun with deep spiritual implications. If we choose to "Contend for the PCG," we will see a decade of harvest. We will extend our reach into a multitude of new nations. We will see another generation of next-gen leaders arise. Ministers and churches will multiply, and new followers of Christ will be birthed into the Kingdom.

How to Engage in One Mission-One Movement

IMPACT ETERNITY

How do you impact eternity? You share your faith and lead someone to Christ. When you lead just one person to Christ, you impact eternity-depopulate Hell and populate Heaven. In fact, we have dedicated the entire month of September to Impacting Eternity (pcg.org/impacteternity) with all kinds of resources to help you do it. There is no greater assignment on earth. As you impact eternity, please share Your Story (through the web page listed above or alternatively at pcg.org/stories) and connect your new brother and sister in Christ to your local church.

INSPIRE YOUR CALLING

Your calling is the greatest weapon in the PCG. You have been called to do what nobody else can do! If you are a young leader under 30 years of age, I would encourage you to connect with our Forerunner Experience (pcg.orglforerunner), Messenger College (messengercollege.edu), and even consider applying for ministry credentials through the PCG (pcg.org/ credentials). If you are over 30, we have all kinds of resources available to accelerate your calling in the Kingdom, such as the online credential platform (which can now be used for continuing education), our church coaching experience, and our online resource center (pcg.org/resources).

INVEST IN ONE MISSION-ONE MOVEMENT

Did you know that you can invest in One Mission-One Movement by simply giving $11 per month? PCG family members from all over the U.S. and even from other nations are investing in One Mission-One Movement. Most of the ministries mentioned above have been launched through One Mission-One Movement giving. So, please invest by visiting pcg.org/giving.