The heart of Cafe 1040 is to help the next generation find their role in the Great Commission. We are currently focusing on Gen Z (ages 13-28). Last year, we took the time to dig deep and figure out what differentiates Millennials from Gen Z. This podcast is a conversation about those findings
The Lenten season is just around the corner and as we did for Advent, we would love for you to join with us in prayer and Bible Study for the season of Lent.
We are still working on the final details but here is a sneak peak…
Raising funds for your salary is often a necessity in ministry work. However, we must not forget that support raising, although necessary, is as much a spiritual work as serving at your church, praying fervently, or reading your Bible. These all take a little bit of discipline and a lot of the Holy Spirit. Each of these gives us the greatest joy when done with the right heart, but can quickly spiral into legalism and shame if we are not careful.
Everyone has a place and role in the Great Commission. God wants to use you for beautiful things! Here are some things you can do right now to start reaching the nations whoever you are, wherever you are.
What works against you in grasping Christ's love for you? When I think about this question, my answers create a long list, sadly. My sin, fear of rejection, not being good enough, not being faithful enough, being a burden, seeing and experiencing broken relationships, feelings of shame.
No matter your career, the majority of us probably didn’t end up in our jobs because we saw a massive billboard that laid it out for us and then our great Aunt’s dog spell it out with his kibbles. The truth is, the Lord calls us to listen and follow His direction, which is most often filled with many steps of faith.
Hospitality – in the states we associate this with words like inviting, welcoming, and understanding. It is such a simple word. I would have never thought one word could hold so much depth – that one word could dictate a culture. Living here in Southeast Asia has redefined my view of what it means to be hospitable.
I woke up in confusion as the pre-dawn stillness was shattered with a song. Then I remembered. This is the Islamic call to prayer.
The words “God is great” echo from two mosques in the village. It is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Strangely, the Islamic call to prayer is also my call to prayer.
I pray that these people, who are so hospitable and welcoming, would be receptive to the story of Jesus. I pray that those who rigorously follow strict rules would come to know grace and freedom. I pray that every place that is dark would be flooded with light, that every person who seeks Truth would find the Way, that everyone who is blinded would be able to see. I pray for workers to be sent to this people group.
I pray because God loves all of his people, and He has called us to be His ambassadors, His messengers, His hands and feet to the Muslim world.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
– Romans 10:14-15
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:20
If you’re interested in learning more about Islam, as well as ideas for how to reach out to Muslims in the US, check out this Islam 101 podcast from Desiring God.
Across the world, storying has been especially successful among people groups who are oral – they remember and pass on information by telling stories. As a practice of communicating the truths of Jesus in any culture, we teach our students how to story, that is to tell the story of Jesus in an engaging, story-telling format.
“I often catch a whiff of incense as I walk the streets of Southeast Asia. It’s burning all around at temples and pagodas, and in the shrines housed in nearly every home and business. The smell reminds me that I too should be praying, just as the call to prayer in the Muslim world reminds me to pray not just 5 times a day, but without ceasing.”
The village is located on the edge of an island. It is so small that a person can walk from one end to the other in 5 minutes. The people’s main occupation is fishing. They fish for squid, fish, and many other things. As I walked along one of the two main roads or “paths”, I saw many people mending their nets.
Everyone brings different strengths and weaknesses to the table, leaving plenty of room for disagreements and conflict. Being a missionary in another country, where your team is the only ‘family’ you have, and where the majority of people living there have never been told the story of Jesus, can be even more difficult.
I traveled to three different countries in three days with probably less then 12 hours of solid sleep. I went on excursions pretty much every other week of the whole three months, each with a different purpose and environment. Each excursion exposed me to a wide variety of concepts, like-minded organizations, and a variety of issues.
After an hour plane ride, a two-hour bus ride, a five- hour bus ride, and five-minute boat ride across the river, we arrived in the village. The goal of the trip was to establish contacts and develop relationships. Within the interactions with the locals, our aim was to acquire information about the history and culture of the village.
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