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Making Disciples
by Jonathan Surmi

Myself and the other team leader, Jeremy Matlock, met with youth leaders from 10 Moldovan churches. We discussed the state of the church, specifically with regards to Christian youth and the lack of evangelism to the lost. There were several difficult issues we had to address: Why did Christian youth from the church have such a hard time reaching out to their lost friends? Why did the youth leaders have such difficulty following up with new believers when the American teams left? Why are very few new believers becoming part of the local churches and youth groups? After much discussion, the answer to these questions was clear: First, the youth in the churches were ill equipped. They didn't even know how to give their testimony. They hadn't been taught and it hadn't been modeled for them. Secondly, traditions and legalism had crept in to the church. The idea that a person must conform outwardly (no smoking, appropriate style of clothing, etc.) before they could be accepted by the church is causing tremendous harm. Many Christians don't want to be seen talking with people from the "world" because they fear that other Christians will judge them. As you can see, this legalism has severely limited the power of the gospel.

Saints, please be in prayer for the body of Christ in Moldova. Pray that the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, would be the ultimate authority and dividing line - not the traditions of man. Pray that power of our Father's grace will fill the hearts of those Christians who are offering nothing but judgment and condemnation.

This experience has challenged me to be more concerned and involved with the church here in America. What is happening to OUR youth? Where are the role models? Where are the older, more mature Christians? Why aren't they discipling the younger Christians? Has the life of comfort seeking so blinded us that we have forgotten to prepare the next generation to carry the torch of the gospel? Christ gave us a commission to go and make disciples. Yet we have found it sufficient to simply preach and teach the intellectual truths of the Christian life. How did Christ make disciples? He said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Are we leading younger Christians into the harvest? Are we showing them how to give their testimony, share the gospel, and pray? Tremendous faith is born into a young believer when he says, "Let me tell you what Jesus has done for me . . ." The Lord has made this call so very clear to me: "Jon, go to the harvest and take others with you."

Dear brothers and sisters, so many of you have supported and prayed for this mission work throughout the years. The Lord has greatly used you as part of this work. But who will fill your shoes when you are gone? Who have you inspired to go into the harvest? What prayer warriors have you helped prepare? Let me ask one final question: Do we really understand our ministry, our calling from the Lord? Is it teaching, giving, praying, helping? Maybe. The Lord gives us a clear answer. . ."Go, and make disciples. . ." If we fail in this, then we have not fulfilled our ministry before the Lord.

The mission work this summer has greatly challenged me. And the Lord has asked me to give this challenge to you as well.