Today is my birthday. I get to spend it in Athens!
It seems like only yesterday, I was graduating from college with my life goals and a job waiting. But after 5 years, God stepped in and changed my heart from bridge building to preaching, which has been my passion every sense.
As I turn 64, I'm looking back and evaluating how I want to spend the next years of my ministry. I have to admit that even though the road has not always been smooth, I have few regrets with the path the Lord has led Lynette and I down. Now more than ever, however, I want to spend my time investing in people, focusing not on growing a church but making disciples.
This was reinforced today when we visited the Greek Bible College that your missionary, Mark Henzler, will be involved with when he returns from the States. After a crowded metro ride and a 30 minute bus ride, we arrived at a beautiful campus. It's cleanliness stands out amongst the dirt and graffiti of the rest of Athens and we could only say WOW!
We were met by Bob Hill who is the last of the original founders of the school. Since Saturday had been their graduation, the faculty was meeting to evaluate their last year. They graciously allowed us to step in and visit with them for 30 minutes. What a joy to sit with these who are training others to know God's Word and be able to make it known.
If there is a theme that has developed on this sabbatical it comes from the life of Soren Kierkegaard. Aware that in his day and country everyone claimed to be a Christian yet few were truly born again believers, Kierkegaard was determined to be a "Missionary to Christians." It is the work so needed not only in Greece but increasingly in America. As noted by others, Christ did not command anyone to admire Him but to follow Him.
