As a young Christian in college, I heard a speaker mention that Luke begins the book of Acts with a unique statement about his Gospel: “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1). The speaker pointed out that Luke is implying that Acts was his account of what Jesus continued to do and to teach through the church. I believe that it is the calling of every Christian to continue to do the work of Jesus in the world.

For those changing projects, organizations, or taking on new responsibilities, Lord, your unwavering love enables us to trust in and through you during this change. When we are quick to grasp for control, loosen our grip – give us open hands and hearts in tune with your guidance. Gentle our hearts to your words found in Scripture – you make known your ways. 

As our Good Shepherd, we know that you are with us – through every season. We entrust our lives to you. Guide us through whatever the days ahead hold with our focus ever fixed on you. 

Dear NIFW friends,

As many of you would attest to, when we engage in conversations around what it looks like for each of us who know Jesus to serve him faithfully with our gifts and abilities, with a sense of openness to how God might lead us in new ways, we put ourselves in a position before the Lord that is both exciting, as well as uncertain. It has been my joy to have these kinds of conversations with many of you about your faith and work journey through the ministries of NIFW.  

It was the spring of 1988. As a new sergeant in the U.S. Army, I had just been sent to Korea for a year, away from my young family. Like many Christians, I wondered if I was wasting my life stuck in a secular job. I thought I may have missed my calling. I doubted my job as a nuclear, biological, and chemical operations specialist had any eternal value. Did my work matter to God at all? 

What I wanted to do was serve the Lord in vocational ministry. However, that door closed shortly after I was fired from my youth pastor position in the summer of 1985. My options for full-time employment were limited. I looked into going back to teaching, but my teaching certificate from Colorado was not recognized in Oregon. For a host of good reasons, I joined the Army at age 27. 

Just a few weeks ago, we completed another year of the NIFW Gotham Fellowship. Similar to last year, I felt a tension in my spirit as our Cohort wrapped up our year together: 

• Excitement that our Fellowship year was complete, but sadness that we won’t gather to enjoy weekly time together any longer.

• Gratitude for the learning and growth we’d experienced, but a desire for more study and conversation as we seek to thoughtfully engage God’s mission in our everyday places.

• Confidence in our Fellows, that each of them are prepared to engage the brokenness in their work with real creativity, yet hesitancy that each of us has room for further development and a need for the kind of support and encouragement that a community like Gotham offers if we’re truly going to thrive in serving God with our best.

This week marks the celebration of Ascension Day - the day when the global Church remembers and meditates on the events around Jesus’ departure from the disciples after 40 days of ministry following the resurrection. Have you ever considered that the gifts and abilities you bring to your work are not your own? They too have been entrusted to you by God for a time and a purpose.