By: Bro Raphy V. Abang
“Brothers and sisters, we cannot just come to church, Sunday after Sunday, and hear another sermon, and then leave here beyond these walls and it never changed us, it never rearranged us. We cannot just be inspired and informed but we must be transformed. Oh God, may you transform somebody’s life today, send a vine of living water into somebody’s house, somebody’s marriage, let this church send out a branch beyond these walls because there are people all around us struggling to know the truth and be set free by the truth.”
This was the challenge and declaration of Rev. Peter Wee, JECPP Senior Overseer and Regional Director of Southern Mindanao Region, as he shared the Word of God during the 8th Mission Sunday and Dedication of the new church building of Evangel Family Church- Kidapawan on March 24, 2019 in Purok Saguing, Makilala, Cotabato.
Rev. Wee, pointed that something is wrong when someone is taking in spiritual food yet still looks or lives the same. He stressed that each Christian must be bold enough to build a branch outside the very walls of the church and to be unashamed of proclaiming the Gospels of Jesus Christ. As eloquently stated in Mark 16:16, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Because somebody or someone needs Jesus beyond the walls (four corners of the church building). “He (Jesus) never saved you just to sit here and drink from the well for your entire life or hear a sermon and be entertained by the preacher. He saved you so that after you’ve grown spiritually, there will be prosperity, blessing, freedom and joy. Something of which you can eventually offer to the lost souls so that they can taste the living water and they’ll come running in church every week,” he added.
Moreover, he further encouraged the businessmen “If you want your business to expand, then use your business to reach people for Jesus. Support and give to your church, not only when you feel like giving, but you must give consistently to bless the kingdom of God and help the ministry of the church. God says when you do that, I will put a double portion on your house. And if you are running low on your resources, I will fill it up again, and again, and again. You are blessed if you are willing to share with others beyond your walls”.
He emphasized that, “You will never lose by giving.” He then shared their first mission Sunday with a target of one hundred thousand pesos and now the pledges have gone over 1.5 million pesos. With that being said, Evangel Family Church-Davao furthered the opportunity to reach out to its peripheries by touching lives and saving souls for Jesus. As mentioned in the scripture, Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” The Bible has already reiterated that whatever is given with an open heart shall be given upon back in multiple folds.
According to Rev. Wee, the final call is near; those who are not yet ready will be left behind. Therefore, it is our sole mission to carry out the church’s vision of proclaiming God’s words to the world by simply sharing our testimonies and spearheading our church’s causes. It is with dire urgency that we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ before everything’s too late. As cited in Galatians 2:20, “Christ lives in me. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The scripture means that we should not just live for ourselves, we must also live for others. God is calling out a new generation who will make a difference. A generation who will make history for the kingdom of God. A generation who will penetrate outside the walls of the church.
“Father, I pray for EFC Kidapawan, that you will raise up a generation of young people, older people who will go beyond these walls and preach the Gospel to every creature. Your last Words on earth will become our first priority! Help us to know that we will never lose by giving because we have an unfinished task ahead of us. It is no longer I that liveth, but Christ who lives in me. Father, help us go beyond these walls so that we can also experience the Double Portion – Joseph’s Blessings in our lives! In Jesus’ Name,” that was the prayer of Rev. Wee as he ended his sermon.
The 8th Mission Sunday marked the beginning of a new journey for EFC Kidapawan as they stepped into a new territory. Their new church building is strategically located in the border of two growing municipalities: Kidapawan and Makilala respectively. This milestone was attended by 141 young people and adult members and 41 children. This is an indication that the church is progressively growing. God is indeed moving and He is using His people to enlarge the kingdom He has mounted. It is evident that the church and its spiritual leaders have the burning passion, undying commitment and the zealous heart for mission – a mission to win more souls for Jesus and to go beyond the walls.
