A Missions Heart: SNAPSHOT
To receive Christ is to accept a life of burden. A burden that runs deeper than the deepest ocean. This burden requires one to deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow Christ (Luke 9:23). To be a Christ follower is to be His Ambassador and to be a Minister of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
This burden to be Ambassador’s of Christ and Minister's of Reconciliation has been revealed to the Riker’s in the form of missions. God has laid upon our heart a desire to grow in sanctification through transformation, to listen to the stories of the broken hearted around the world, to share the reconciling story of the gospel, to serve families, advance the kingdom of God, and bring glory and honor to our Sovereign Lord.
This journey begins here, continues in Perth (Australia), and gains momentum in the areas beyond Samaria (Acts 1:8).
Introduction to Missions:
Beginning in the summer of 2013, Carolyn and I (Ture) began a journey with God that would culminate in the form of missions. After months of conversation and prayer Carolyn and I have come to the conclusion that will be joining the YWAM community (Youth With A Mission - see links below). This journey will take us abroad for 6 months. The first three months will be spent in Perth, Australia. This first three months will focus on spiritual formation for the purpose of training and empowering us to grow in our relationship with God, as well as preparing our hearts, mind, and bodies to go out on outreach. The goal is to empty ourselves so that God can fill us up to overflow and pour out His love to those in desperate need of God's love. The outreach phase of this journey will make up the last 3 month stretch of our initial 6 months agreement. During our time on outreach we will practice what we have learned and work toward revealing the gospel message to those who are in need as God directs.
The outreach portion of this journey is purposefully designed by YWAM to seek out God’s will and direction. Because of this purposeful design specific details to what we will be doing have not been solidified. The possibilities are wide, but extremely intentional. There is a good chance we will minister to those who are burdened with pain, poverty, captivity, and generally unfortunate circumstances in Kolkata, India. It is possible we may serve our Savior in the Philippines, Nepal, Western Australia, or in Perth itself. Examples of what we could do are as follows: work with marginalized youth, anti-human trafficking, teaching English, public speaking (churches, schools, youth events, etc.), evangelism (relational, street, comfort evangelism), acts of service (typhoon clean up, serving food, providing basic health care, etc.). This list of opportunities represents a moderate display of possibilities. It is not a comprehensive list. YWAM is strategic and intentional; however they also provide room for God to function outside of any human constraints.
YWAM (Youth With A Mission)
"Youth With A Mission is a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced “WHY-wham”), we unite in a common purpose to know God and to make Him known.
Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth involved in missions. Today, we still focus on youth, and we also involve people aged 8 to 80. We currently work in more than 1,100 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000.
One of the joys of participating in YWAM is to work with people from many nations. YWAM’s staff (known as “YWAMers”) come from over 130 countries, including places like Indonesia, Nepal, Mozambique, and Colombia." (Taken directly from YWAM.org - 2/11/14)
For more information on YWAM and Perth, Australia, please go to...
http://www.ywamperth.org.au/about-ywam-perth/#story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OYuDGJl2dg
To receive Christ is to accept a life of burden. A burden that runs deeper than the deepest ocean. This burden requires one to deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow Christ (Luke 9:23). To be a Christ follower is to be His Ambassador and to be a Minister of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
This burden to be Ambassador’s of Christ and Minister's of Reconciliation has been revealed to the Riker’s in the form of missions. God has laid upon our heart a desire to grow in sanctification through transformation, to listen to the stories of the broken hearted around the world, to share the reconciling story of the gospel, to serve families, advance the kingdom of God, and bring glory and honor to our Sovereign Lord.
This journey begins here, continues in Perth (Australia), and gains momentum in the areas beyond Samaria (Acts 1:8).
Introduction to Missions:
Beginning in the summer of 2013, Carolyn and I (Ture) began a journey with God that would culminate in the form of missions. After months of conversation and prayer Carolyn and I have come to the conclusion that will be joining the YWAM community (Youth With A Mission - see links below). This journey will take us abroad for 6 months. The first three months will be spent in Perth, Australia. This first three months will focus on spiritual formation for the purpose of training and empowering us to grow in our relationship with God, as well as preparing our hearts, mind, and bodies to go out on outreach. The goal is to empty ourselves so that God can fill us up to overflow and pour out His love to those in desperate need of God's love. The outreach phase of this journey will make up the last 3 month stretch of our initial 6 months agreement. During our time on outreach we will practice what we have learned and work toward revealing the gospel message to those who are in need as God directs.
The outreach portion of this journey is purposefully designed by YWAM to seek out God’s will and direction. Because of this purposeful design specific details to what we will be doing have not been solidified. The possibilities are wide, but extremely intentional. There is a good chance we will minister to those who are burdened with pain, poverty, captivity, and generally unfortunate circumstances in Kolkata, India. It is possible we may serve our Savior in the Philippines, Nepal, Western Australia, or in Perth itself. Examples of what we could do are as follows: work with marginalized youth, anti-human trafficking, teaching English, public speaking (churches, schools, youth events, etc.), evangelism (relational, street, comfort evangelism), acts of service (typhoon clean up, serving food, providing basic health care, etc.). This list of opportunities represents a moderate display of possibilities. It is not a comprehensive list. YWAM is strategic and intentional; however they also provide room for God to function outside of any human constraints.
YWAM (Youth With A Mission)
"Youth With A Mission is a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced “WHY-wham”), we unite in a common purpose to know God and to make Him known.
Back when we began in 1960, our main focus was to get youth involved in missions. Today, we still focus on youth, and we also involve people aged 8 to 80. We currently work in more than 1,100 locations in over 180 countries, with a staff of over 18,000.
One of the joys of participating in YWAM is to work with people from many nations. YWAM’s staff (known as “YWAMers”) come from over 130 countries, including places like Indonesia, Nepal, Mozambique, and Colombia." (Taken directly from YWAM.org - 2/11/14)
For more information on YWAM and Perth, Australia, please go to...
http://www.ywamperth.org.au/about-ywam-perth/#story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OYuDGJl2dg