Creative Discipleship

As a child of God, we are commanded in Matt. 28 to "MAKE DISCIPLES!" That's not a suggestion, that is a commandment. It's not up for discussion. No one asked for our opinion. It's a package deal. Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, become a disciple, be a disciple maker. In the Old Testament God commanded Adam to be fruitful and multiply. This was prior to the Fall of man.

Adam was created in the image of God and if he had multiplied prior to the Fall, he would have produced offspring in the likeness of God. But that was not the case. The reproduction was POST FALL. Adam produced off spring after his kind; babies full of sin and wickedness. If you don't agree, just give it time and these babies will reveal their true nature.

The second Adam, JESUS, came and produced disciples in HIS LIKENESS, and commands us to do the same. A disciple is a Life-Long hearer, and Adherer to the word and ways of God. A disciple becomes like his Teacher. These are individuals who CHOOSE to put themselves in a position to HEAR from God and OBEY HIS voice. Jesus said of himself, "I can do NOTHING except that which I HEAR from my Father."

If you want a detailed perspective of discipleship, read Herb Hodges books entitled, "Tally Ho the Fox" and "Fox Fever." In one of these books he gives four practical ways of to disciple others. I will list them here and then give a brief explanation.

Person - Face to Face
Proxy - Send a trusted friend and disciple to invest in someone else
Prayer - Praying specifically for the salvation or spiritual growth of others.
Pen - Writing a note, email, text, or other correspondence to stimulate spiritual growth and encouragement.

I have begun a quest to disciple at least "ONE" individual every day of my life through one of the 4 methods listed above. As a follower of Christ... I CHALLENGE you to join the race... and do the same.

January 2012 Update

I began full time work as the Executive Director of Vision Outreach International in October 2011. I also serve as a part-time Administrator for the Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation, a group of Christian doctors who have a passion for Christian Witness, Medical Excellence, and World Wide Missions.

I continue to serve as a volunteer at Berrien Center Bible Church leading worship on a monthly basis and am actively involved in weekly accountability and discipleship. I recently wrote an article entitled, "The Spiritual Cornea" which shows the parallels between physically vision and spiritual vision. I also shared a message at Berrien Center Bible Church before leaving my pastoral position about my heart for vision entitled...True Values and True Vision.

Currently I am preparing to travel to San Lorenzo, Ecuador in February to assist in surgery. After a week of surgery I will accompany Stan Pletcher MD to Shell where Stan serves as and Ophthalmologist. Shell is located on the edge of the jungle and was the home base for the missionaries Jim Elliott and Nate Saint before they were slain in the 1950's. Pray for our protect and witness as we serve the Ecuadorian people.

God has placed His hand on Vision Outreach International. Through the subsidiary of Mission Eyes Network, VOI has developed a global presence on the internet. A new effort entitled "Global Sight Alliance" linking world wide eye missions is set to be launched by May 1, 2012. Please pray as we make great efforts in accomplishing this work prior to that date.

On a personal note... We are expecting grandson # 3 (Ben & Mallory) in February and grandson # 4 (Nick and Rachel) in May. Or daughter Sarah and husband Matt will be headed to Zimbabwe to serve in a medical rotation for a month in April, followed by Matt's graduation from medical school in May, at which time they will move to WI for residency. Sarah graduated from Eastern MI Univ. in December with a dual degree in Music and Psychology.

Jared (Hannah's husband) has now finished his Paramedic degree and is awaiting word on a job with a possible hire date of Apirl 2012.

Stephen is playing baseball and is in his Sr. year of high school. He is also looking at colleges for the fall.

Denise works behind the scenes to keep us all straight and at the right place at the right time. She is as WONDERFUL as ever.

Give us some feedback on who you are and how you are!