THE GREAT PURSUIT

I am thinking of the parable Jesus told of the shepherd who is missing one of his one hundred sheep. He relentlessly pursues that lost lamb--whatever the personal cost to himself. He leaves behind the ninety-nine others. It is not that they are any less valuable than the one, but they are safely in the fold. The lost lamb needs to be found. It is urgent--a matter of life and death.

So, we thank God for our churches, and all those who have been reached with the Gospel and are safely in the fold--heavenbound. But, what of those who are lost and hellbound? The Lord is calling us to pursue them. We have missionaries willing to go. We have the mandate to go. We have the mechanism for them to go. What we need is the money for them to go.

"The Great Pursuit," is the theme of this year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. This Sunday, December 1 through Sunday, December 8, is the Week of Prayer for this offering received during this season. "The Great Pursuit," of the lost around this world is fueled by your fervent praying and faithful giving.

May God give us a great passion for this great pursuit! You will find links to resources for the Week of Prayer and promoting the offering in this newsletter.

Yours in Pursuit of Souls,

Dennis Thurman, AMS