Only two weeks to go!
This year's team members are only two weeks away from arriving in Dublin, Ireland to begin what will be almost a month of intensive orientation, training, evangelistic outreach and ministry to Irish believers and assemblies. I know that some will be becoming increasingly fretful and even fearful re this whole experience from making sure they have everything they need, to traveling overseas, meeting a whole lot of new people with whom they're going to be living at close quarters, fellowshipping with Christians and churches they’re unfamiliar with; being involved in door to door and open air evangelism. No doubt there are even some that might be thinking, “What have I got myself into?”
This is a good time for us to pray for those who have taken this step of faith. It is a good time for the team members to be reminded that it is the Lord who has led them to this decision. It is a good time to be reminded from the scriptures that the best antidote for fear is faith. When faith soars fear sinks! We do well to remember the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He (the LORD) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Isn’t it great to know God will use even our weakness as we trust Him. I believe one of the reasons we have enjoyed such blessing year by year is that our teams are made up of saints who are fearful yet faithful in the Lord’s strength.
It is important to be reminded about the Lord Jesus as He commissions His disciples in a very applicable passage in Matthew 28:16 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.”” Simply put, as the Lord Jesus sends His disciples to teach and testify, He assures them of His power and presence. All the 2011 TnT Team members can be assured of the same.
The Lord has blessed us with 10 team members so far who will be joining us for all or a part of the mission including 4 who have worked with TnT Teams in previous years. We continue to pray for some additional help. This means we will have only one team that will work in three different areas of the country: Co Dublin, Co Limerick and Co Waterford. They will be working with national believers, workers and missionaries who are experienced in evangelism and ministering the Word. For everyone but especially our first-timers fear will give way to faith and this "trusting the Lord" will be the key to what is accomplished for eternity.
Please pray for these team members as they prepare, as they travel starting May 13th, and as they serve the Lord in Ireland, some until June 25th.
For the past several years we have been trusting the Lord to provide tens of thousands of copies of the Irish gospel magazine, 4YOU.ie. This is a 16-page, full-colour glossy magazine that is packed with relevant, interesting and challenging articles explaining the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.