Posted on by Rick Kirby

Thinking Theologically About the City

As we intensify efforts and strategies to birth and develop a Christian, classical school in Teresina, Piaui, it is important to be reminded of just why such an endeavor is important from a kingdom perspective. It is impossible to ignore the importance of cities in the New Testament in regard to the spread of the gospel. Some of the greatest missionary activity and church growth recorded in the Bible took place in cities such as Ephesus, Corinth, Athens and Rome. When John records the Revelation vision he says, “I saw the city, New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God…” (Rev. 21:2). Certainly, no one would suggest that rural areas of the world are unimportant or should in any way be ignored in gospel strategy. However, it cannot be stated too strongly that greater missional concentration must be carried out in the large cities of the world as more and more people move out of the suburbs and back to the cities. In a recent blog post (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/05/28/are-you-ready-for-cities/), Matt Smethurst asks the question, “Are you ready for the urban future?” This is a question that the church will be faced to answer in the very near future. And the answer will direct and inform the next generation of missionary work across the world.

Consider these facts regarding Brazil’s population. The Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), which runs the Brazilian census and compiles the latest population data, completed its latest estimate in August 2011, and reported that it believed Brazil had 192,376,496 people.

Sao Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world, has over 11 million people within the city limits. But this is not Brazil’s only large city. According to IBGE there are over 17 Brazilian cities with no less than 1 million people and 4 cities with no less than 2 million people. Over 80% of Brazilians live in cities. Therefore, it only stands to reason that the church should be increasingly strategic in laying a strong gospel foundation within these cities.

Teresina and all other cities should be important to the church because they are important to God. This is why we are driven to establish Christian, Classical schools throughout the country, so that we might teach and model the only message that can change lives and bring about hope to a hopeless world.

 

Posted on by Rick Kirby

Teresina Project

Throughout the nations Chribrazpicstians are beginning to realize that gospel mission has much more to do with the integrating of their lives into the existing rhythms of life around them than it does the use of gospel gimmicks which cheapen the majesty of God and produce no lasting righteous fruit. One of those rhythms which is presenting enormous missional potential is the increased need and desire for English education in Brazil.

For several years now, our family has traveled to parts of Brazil to serve local churches in any way that would be fruitful for the kingdom. Through those travels we have discovered a missional heartbeat among Brazilian congregations and pastors to shine the light of the gospel in their country in order that the dark deceit of religion might be destroyed. We are compelled to join our Brazilian brothers and sisters in Christ as they labor in fields that are ripe for a great harvest but lack the workers necessary to effectively tend the fields.

Brazilians place a great value on education and especially education which involves the inclusion of the English language. For years we have discussed the possibility of starting an English speaking school in Teresina which teaches and models a robust Christian world-view. Not only are there Christian parents who long for such an option to educate their children, but there are also many poor or orphaned children that would never have the opportunity to attend a school of such academic vigor apart from God extending His grace through us to make it possible.

The first week of May I spent in Teresina meeting with business and church leaders to develop a strTesesinaskylineategy to move this dream into the realm of reality. I will return to Teresina in August to continue to take steps to assist in laying the groundwork for this life changing project. In addition to the August trip, we strongly believe that God wants our family to travel together to Teresina in February to serve and participate in a camp that coincides with Carnival. This trip will require God to provide in ways that can only be explained by saying, “God did it.”

Would you please pray for us as our family prepares to be more engaged in ministry in Brazil and also would you commit to praying for Rodrigo and Alessandra Brotto as they serve on the front lines in Teresina?

Help us get the word out to as many people as possible and know that we welcome every opportunity to share with your church or anyone interested about the Teresina work. Be on the lookout in the days to come for more information about what God is doing in this great country.

Posted on by Rick Kirby

The Gospel in the Workplace

Everyday across the US untold numbers of professing believers leave their homes and journey to offices, factories and other places of employment – the very places where workers spend the majority of their waking hours. Many of these dear folks (and you may be one) give money to help missionaries in far- away lands do what missionaries do and many even bemoan the fact that they, themselves, are unable to have greater freedom and flexibility to travel to exotic lands on “mission trips.” I have something to say to those of you who wish you could leave the workplace to “do ministry.” WAKE UP!!!! At what point did the church begin to make a distinction between life and ministry? No wonder the church has such little impact in the world. The church has taken its leave of the world and surrendered to the enemy the very places where the people are who Christ came to redeem. Rightfully so, we give great honor to those who move to foreign cultures to minister the Gospel to those in need, but shouldn’t we place just as high of an honor and value on those willing to illuminate the workplace with the love of Christ. To the custodian, welder, bank teller, doctor, lawyer and social worker I would remind you that if you are a follower of Christ you are the “salt of the earth.” But if the salt is no longer salty, what good is it? The sovereign Lord has strategically orchestrated your life to place you right where you are for a reason.  There are people you rub shoulders with each day who would not visit your church if you paid them. And why should they? Unfortunately, if we desire to make disciples and lead others to Christ, the last thing we want the lost to experience is the lifeless ritual many of us call church.  Now don’t get me wrong. I love the local church and I am aware that there are many incredible, gospel driven, missional churches around. In fact, I’m a member of one such church. I hold a high view of the local church but I am not convinced that we have acted very wisely toward the lost and unchurched if all we do is “invite them to church.” Listen, they think we’re crazy to begin with and we want to invite them to church and prove it to them. That doesn’t make sense.

Remember the great commission? Jesus said, “As you are going” you are to make disciples. He didn’t say, “Invite the world to church.” As you are going to work, model the gospel. As you are going to school, be salt and light. As you are going to ball field, go as an image bearer of Christ. Be intentional about loving the people around you as Christ would. I don’t mean to choke the people around you with your religion! Leave that mess at home and just love people and let them see you being real and authentic in real life. Invite them to dinner at your home rather than church. Host a cookout for the sole purpose of inviting unchurched neighbors. Look for ways to serve and be willing to get up close and personal with the people that God has “sent you” to. You are a missionary and wherever you are is your mission field.

Wake up and start living out your faith where you are.