By John Peasland
This question was the theme of CMML’s 50th Annual Fall Conference on November 14, 2020. (1) And I am sure that many asked the same question as they faced the challenges of 2020. Here at CMML, as we reflect not only on 2020 but also on 100 years of God’s work in and through CMML, we want to use our anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate. Not to celebrate an organization but to celebrate God’s faithfulness to CMML through committed senders, servants, and supporters. As we go through 2021, we have a threefold purpose for celebrating:
Recall to rekindle
The apostle Peter used his second epistle to stir up or rekindle his readers’ spirits by means of reminding them, and we seek to do the same. When we look back at 100 years of faithful service, we are reminded of the engaged senders in US assemblies who prayerfully and financially supported wave after wave of missionaries whom they commended to the mission field. Over the years, the impact of the Gospel through the US assembly missions movement has been nothing short of amazing. Our small, decentralized, autonomous, mission-focused, quick-to- send churches are uniquely equipped for facing the challenges of this ever-changing world. As we recall, we seek to rekindle a passion and love for missions among the US assemblies.
Educate to equip
Much changed in 2020 and over the past 100 years in which CMML has served assemblies and their missionaries. But the mission remains the same. We are still called to preach the Gospel, make disciples, and establish local churches until our Lord Jesus returns. However, from preaching in synagogues to preaching virtually via Zoom, and from papyrus to the internet, the methods and medium change often and drastically as we seek to reach those who need the Gospel. Therefore, it is critical that servants are enabled to reach the lost. Today, the tools in our tool bags look different from those 100 years ago, but being well-equipped is key to reaching the current generation for Christ.
Illustrate to inspire
Finally, we love to tell stories of faithful servants who have served and are serving on the mission field. The Lord Jesus is building His church, and we seek to keep the believers at home informed so they can be enthusiastic supporters of His marvelous work. We shared some stories at the conference in November and will share more throughout the 2021 year. These stories illustrate how the Lord is working around the world.
We desire to inspire the next generation of faithful servants to prayerfully consider that God may call them to follow in the footsteps of those who went before them. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul reminds Timothy of his mother’s and grandmother’s faith and tells him that the purpose in recalling is to stir up or rekindle the gift of God in the current generation. May our faith be stirred as we remember the faith of those who went ahead of us.
Press forward
In response to our question—“Where do we go from here?”—let us press on, press forward, and be found faithful, just as committed servants have for CMML’s past 100 years and the more than 2,000 years since Christ came to earth. Will you join the ranks of those who have gone forth preaching the Gospel? Will you send others and be faithful at your battle stations on the home front? Will you enthusiastically support Christ’s work around the world?
We are a chosen people, so let us throw off entanglements and pursue with endurance the path that God has set before us (1 Peter 2:9; Hebrews 12:1). May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). May we be rekindled, equipped, and inspired as we consider our ever-faithful God this year. ■
John Peasland is CMML’s executive director.
Notes:
(1) If you have not seen the messages and missionary updates from the 50th Annual Fall Conference, you can access the content at CMMLConferences.us.
