Moving out of our Confort Zone

[Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana] We have just completed our school ministries in Ghana. Over the past 10 days we have ministered in 85 different schools. The ages of the children has spanned from 8 to 19 years. In each school we have seen multitudes of children, teachers, and headmasters humbly accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of these schools have been large area schools but most of them have been poor, remote schools well off the beaten path. (In all we have shared the Gospel in 127 venues to nearly 50,000 people. We have seen 35,204 individuals indicate their first-time decision for Christ!)

Not all of our team members came here expecting to “preach the Gospel” in the schools. The only “preachers” on our team are Jeff Andler, Mark Chase, and myself. Although Craig Barker and Andy Poe have been to Ghana before they never had the primary assignment of preaching, rather they have usually served in support roles. This time however they have had the assignment of preaching each evening in the film crusades and they have done a wonderful job.

Other team members came knowing that they would be working in the medical clinics during our first week and were expecting to work in the dental clinic this last week. However, when word reached us that Dr. Ney was not going to be able to travel to Ghana all our plans changed. Immediately Ruth Kandaras, Matthew Bolling, and Courntey Bolling learned that they would now be speaking in school ministries. While they are all three wonderful individuals who love the Lord none of them have been expected to stand in front of large crowds and present the Gospel. They are all three more comfortable in sharing the Gospel in a one-on-one setting.

God, however, had new plans for them all. Over the course of the days each of them has stood up and clearly presented the Gospel to large groups of students in the schools. God has gently moved them from their comfort zones and expanded them in preparation for more that He plans to do through them.

As I talked to Matthew a few moments ago he said, “I did not expect to be preaching, but God has given me the power to trust Him and be used by Him. This was great!” Ruth told me, “I have to trust God to do what I cannot do!” As we talked I reminded her that too much of what we do is in our own power. “The medical clinics are important and have been used by God, but we are able to do those things in our own strength,” I told Ruth. “But,” I continued, “when we stand and preach the Gospel we know full well that unless God shows up it will be a failure.” “Yes,” Ruth replied, “this is certainly outside my comfort zone and I wish others back home would come here and let God do something wonderful in their lives too.”

“Courtney shared the Gospel with a sweet and gentle spirit that they children loved,” remarked Sammy Lartey.  “She is a natural and should come to Ghana every time!” he continued.

I watched with amazement at the ease in which all of these shared the Gospel. It certainly reminded me that being outside our comfort zones is the safest place in the world. It is, however, only when we are outside our abilities that we are conscious that we are completely dependent upon God. Will you move from your comfort zone today?