When we think of world mission, we think of Jesus’ Commission to the Church. The Church is to continue the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit, to proclaim to the ends of the earth the salvation Christ offers to those who believe in Him. (Matt 28:19-20; Jn 20:21)
One of the responsibilities of the Church is therefore to send out missionaries. To do so, we must raise disciples who will catch a vision of God’s heartbeat for the world. We must begin this disciple-making venture at home. This is the call to parents, especially fathers, to see discipleship of their children as a top priority in this life.
Have you heard of Elijah7000? It is a movement initiated by fathers to reach other fathers so that together, they will stand “As One” to protect their marriages, love their wives, shape their children’s future, strengthen families and fulfill the destiny of our nation.
“Elijah7000 is a movement in response to the rising wave of attack on God’s design for Marriage and Family. The world sees fathers as the cause of many of society’s problems. But God sees fathers as the solution. Fathers have always been God’s solution to build strong families and restore nations.
Just as God told Elijah that he was not alone but there were 7000 prophets who had not bowed down to Baal, we believe there will be a remnant of fathers who will come forward to be part of this movement. When we turn hearts of fathers, we turn back the tide, and our land will not be cursed. We owe it to our children to hand over to them a nation that is stronger than the one we inherited from our fathers.” – Jason Wong (Founder of Yellow Ribbon Project and Dads for Life movement)
The Church needs to come behind our men, pray and encourage them to discern the times. Too often the church struggles to raise leaders, the homes are left to the wives and mothers. There has never been a time in this generation when there is a greater need for Godly men to begin leading their family, their church, their community and the world. Satan has been targeting to destroy the family of God by targeting our men. If he can get men distracted with other “good things” so that they neglect their time with God and family, he is succeeding.
God has ordained men to lead; men of God need to turn their hearts to their spouses and children, and together to turn their hearts toward God. Can we encourage a band of brothers to step up and take the challenge? Represent YCK Chapel at the launch of the Elijah7000 Movement (see details on Pg 6). Find out how we can stand “As One” and discern God’s agenda in these last days.
This is a mission that all earthly fathers, spiritual fathers, disciples and mentors are specially empowered to do. Let us join hands to pray for our husbands, and our brothers as they prayerfully take this step.
All of us need to be part of an ongoing discipleship and mentoring ministry so that we can be used by God.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
(Malachi 4:5-6)
By Har Lee John, Pastoral Staff (YCKC Bulletin 3&4 May 2014)