Our Children/Teenagers on the Mission Field: To go or not to go?

Check out more of Brent Higgins blog at www.prayforbj.com. These are some great thoughts from a parent who has gone through the prayer and concern of letting their teenager go onto the mission field:


Allowing our children to follow after the heart of God does not remove them from life experiences it expands them.When BJ was 14 and wanting to leave the country for five weeks, we did not immediately say "yes." We stewed and we brewed.It was true that we had let our daughters go overseas, but we had either been along, or they went for shorter term trips. They were in high school. He was still a child in our eyes. He was our youngest, we wanted to protect him and keep him close.

He did normal junior high things. He went to sleep overs, ski trips with his class, band trips, etc. He knew how to have fun. That never lacked. He talked on the phone, went over to friends houses, played video games and cultivated a zit farm.

But his calling in life was not the same as other students. His fervency in sharing with others about his Savior was born of a deep abiding friendship with the King. He heard His voice and He hungered to follow after Him in obedience.In our lives, the closer we are to the heart of God, the more our thoughts and prayers are centered around His will and desires. This is never a bad thing. When we see it in our children we must realize, they are not "normal." Their desires have been birthed by their Savior. We as their authority must be completely surrendered to Him to discern His will for them. It's too easy to make knee jerk decisions that we are more comfortable with, without taking into account the Lord's will.

When BJ returned the first year, from Peru telling us he wanted to go to Thailand...that he was "called" to Thailand, we took it to prayer. We received no peace. We could not give our blessing. He also returned wanting to go to Mexico for a Christmas trip. We struggled with that as well. We took it to prayer, but found ourselves frustrated that his desires seemed to run clear of the family. Ultimately, we did not let him go there, either.

In the Word, in the account of Samuel's youth (I Samuel 1-3), I see parallels that are pertinent to raising children who follow hard after God. I see myself in Hannah's prayers and concerns. I try to imagine releasing my child for His service at such a young age. It does not come easily. It does not come at all, for many.I see the sons of Eli who were raised to follow the Lord, but found their own will more important. They went through the motions but took advantage of situations at every turn to benefit self.

How many children being raised in churches or outside of them do we see follow this path?Nurturing the child who cares mostly about Christ-centered opportunities is uncharted territory for most parents. This is not the way most of us were raised. Even if we were, we worry for their safety. We may think they are being too serious too much of the time.

The Word tells us to 'come out from the world and be separate.' When we see our children doing this we need to consistently encourage them, while seeking Him ourselves. We are still the authority He has placed over them for such a time as this. If they are following Him, they will yield to us whether they like it or not, and whether we are right or not.

Eli looked at Hannah and thought she was drunk. The world looks at us and thinks we are crazy for letting such young ones do what God has called them too. Story after story reveal parents who have fought against public opinion, knowing their child was not "normal." They let their child go, when family and friends said it was insane.Samuel heard the word of the Lord. He did not understand it at first. He had to be trained. When our children begin to hear from God, the world says they are crazy. They are not. They are the ones He is raising up. They do not always understand the timing issues that come into play, so we must help discern this on their behalf. We must be seeking Him hard ourselves. This can be an intimidating process. He is not the author of intimidation. He will provide answers to His faithful ones. He will bring peace to these situations.

Jesus, at an early age (Luke 2:41-52), took on adult responsibilities. At 12, he began to do adult things. His parents were not thrilled about it at all. They did not even understand it at first. In their view, He was taking this whole growing up thing, too far. He was not. He was not "normal." The things He focused on were the things His Father in Heaven moved in His heart to do. He had earthly parents and was obedient to them. He was here for a purpose.

Ultimately, His parents had to yield to that purpose and help foster growth, rather than hold Him back, so He could be all His Heavenly Father wanted Him to be.Our responsibility is the same. We may not like it. We may not be sure of it. We may make mistakes in the journey. Our children will forgive us. So will our Father in Heaven.That child that follows hard after Christ is not the norm in our world, or even in our Christian sub-culture. We have to make decisions that move them into the path and will of God.

That does not always mean we say "yes." It does mean we seek Him hard and yield to His will above our own.Peace.He will bring peace to each and every question and decision to those who seek after His heart.

I Need Your Prayer Support

On December 26-January2, I will be heading to Nueva Laredo, Mexico for a mission trip with AWESTAR(http://www.awestar.org/). Three other students from our student ministry along with other students from across the country are going to present the Gospel to an area that is filled with gun battles right across our border. Google Nueva Laredo and you will find the strife happening.
God has called us to go and we are going to present the Gospel through Drama. Would you pray for me and our team....if I can count on you for prayer support, could you email me at mike.lehew@ridgewaybaptist.com.

Another mission trip I am going on is to India and Nepal on January 14-29. Our church has partnered with another church to adopt this unreached people group. We will be doing chronological Bible Storytelling to the leaders of this unreached people group. I am a little nervous, but at the same time very willing to share Jesus with those who have not heard. Please pray as we prepare--pray as we memorize the Bible stories and are able to recite these from memory to teach the leaders. Again, if I can count on you for prayer support, please email me.

If you would like to partner in any way through financial donations, please email me. Above all, I ask for your prayer support.

Thank You!

Wisdom from a 12 Year Old

http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/morningShow/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/logan-calf-story.mp3

Wisdom from Oswald www.rbc.org/utmost

The Changed Life
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new —2 Corinthians 5:17

What understanding do you have of the salvation of your soul? The work of salvation means that in your real life things are dramatically changed. You no longer look at things in the same way. Your desires are new and the old things have lost their power to attract you.

One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in your life is genuine is— has God changed the things that really matter to you? If you still yearn for the old things, it is absurd to talk about being born from above— you are deceiving yourself. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought. And when a crisis comes, you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is this complete and amazing change that is the very evidence that you are saved.

What difference has my salvation and sanctification made? For instance, can I stand in the light of 1 Corinthians 13 , or do I squirm and evade the issue? True salvation, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit, frees me completely. And as long as I "walk in the light as He is in the light" ( 1 John 1:7 ), God sees nothing to rebuke because His life is working itself into every detailed part of my being, not on the conscious level, but even deeper than my consciousness.--

I am amazed today in our Christian culture, how many squirm about what it really means to be a believer and the evidence of salvation. Many in the church today think that because they said some type of prayer or walked an aisle then they are truly saved.

When I bring up evidence of salvation by our fruits in our ministry, there are some who do not agree with me. They simply believe because of a "decision" they are safe from the flames of hell.

A few weeks ago in our student ministry, we were talking about Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
My question is, "If our thinking and our life has not changed since we "prayed or walked an aisle", is one truly saved?" I would like your thoughts. Many are seeking God's will but can't find God's will because their thinking and their heart have not been transformed through God's salvation.

A couple of my thoughts just thinking out loud:
James 2:17,18 "You see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now some may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.
James 2:19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Is there really a gray area when it comes to salvation? It seems that the American church culture believes so. But the Bible is clear, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth you are saved. Romans 10:9, 10

We typically use this verse in the church as the part of the invitation/salvation prayer, but I don't think Paul intended for it to be a one time confession or prayer, but a continual attitude and daily confession. Does someone who simply says a one time prayer and not live what they believe truly saved? Think of the disciples--was it a one time confession or was it a daily confession lived out in their lives? Think of the martyrs--was it a one time confession or was it a daily confession lived out in their lives?

I don't know if the state of the Americal soul worries you or not. It does me. There have been many times that Sarah and I have considered going overseas full-time to be a missionary and we do that on an occasional basis, but we have come to the conclusion that God has called us to become missionaries to the unsaved believers-those who think they are saved when in reality true repentance and salvation has never occurred.

I could go on and on and on and on, but we are over Christianized in this nation...we have tons of spiritual resources---music, books, concerts, conferences and still revival has not come to our nation. Wouldn't you think if God could use 12 ordinary, unschooled men to change the world, he could use the millions of believers in this country? I believe it hasn't happened because we have many who claim to be Christians, but not true followers of Christ.

So, what are your thoughts? Not your opinion, but your biblical thoughts? Am I barking up the wrong tree?

iGo.2 with AWE STAR

This past weekend, our church hosted AWE STAR Ministries and it's iGo.2 conference. Over 100 missionaries who have served with AWE STAR came together for worship and prayer! In conjunction with this, we did our MORPH Weekend. Our students got the chance to see what AWE STAR is all about! It was an incredible weekend--everything from the worship, to the praying, to the messages, to the food and the fellowship---it was great!

I was impressed with the sincerity of worship. These missionaries are in their early 20's and teenagers! There was such truth in worship--it was great! One thing I appreciate about AWE STAR's ministry is their strong stand on discipleship. This was not a weekend where you had to make students pull out their BIBLE! It was a part of who they were. AWE STAR mission trips teach the Word, prayer, and what it truly means to be a follower of Christ.

One of our students, Andrea, went with AWE STAR to Mexico and then this past summer went to Panam for 30 DAYS! She learned so much and it is so evident in her life! My prayer is that many of our students will go on the mission field.

Some people ask me, "Why should they go overseas? Why can't they do missions here?" I personally believe students have to go overseas to see what true Christianity is--they will be able to see in real life what it really means to follow Christ--they will be put in situations that they HAVE to trust in Christ. In the states, we've created to a degree fluff. I believe that once they see the other side, their whole outlook will change--trust me, it's happened to me as I've gone to Belarus and Nicaragua. I do not think I would have really been able to appreciate it all without going on the trips. I believe they will be able to see their homes, their schools, and their friends in a different light if they go on a mission trip.

But really the main reason to go is to share the greatest message in the world--Jesus died on the cross for our sins and He rose again on the third day! Isn't that reason enough--to go to those who do not know Him?

I will be going to Nueva Laredo, Mexico December 26 through January 2 with AWE STAR! If you would like more information about AWE STAR, please check out http://www.awestar.org/.