[5 minute read]

Hi EMCC,

Welcome to Global Workers and Partners Week 2023! We are privileged to share stories from global workers and partners connected to the EMCC, and give you opportunities to connect with them throughout.

Our theme for this week is United in Mission, using Philippians 1:27 as our text:

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

While all these workers and partners serve in different contexts, they are united in making Jesus' mission their own mission. As they serve in their locations and we serve in ours, we are "one body and one Spirit, just as [we] were called to one hope when [we] were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). We stand together to serve God and share the love of Jesus (in word or deed) with the desire that God would receive all the glory.

We hope that you receive these stories and prayer requests this week, willing to extend your mind and heart to consider the larger collective story of all of us demonstrating Jesus and the characteristics of His Kingdom.

Be encouraged as you go about your day, listening to the Spirit of Jesus and obeying as he prompts, knowing many others are seeking to do the same.

Tuned Together

In The Pursuit of God, A. W Tozer writes, “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?  They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.”  Philippians 1:27 applies this same principle to us, the Church.  Rather than striving solely for unity with one another, Paul reveals that if we “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel” then we will “stand firm in one Spirit” and “strive as one for the faith of the gospel.”

In the three different facets of our ministry, we seek to strive together with the body of Christ for the faith of the gospel.  First, through discipleship, mentoring, and equipping in Mexico we strive to strengthen and “equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).  Our desire is to disciple believers and train pastors and leaders to “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), so that they may “no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).  As we mentor and equip pastors and leaders, they grow in maturity and eventually join with us in equipping others, allowing us to “strive as one for the faith of the gospel.”

Second, through a ministry called MissionPREP, we are honoured to help train and equip new, outgoing missionaries.  Through this ministry of equipping others, we can strive together to make a much greater impact for the Kingdom, taking the gospel around the globe.

Finally, the Lord has opened doors for us to evangelize and disciple Spanish speaking seasonal agricultural workers on farms in southern Ontario.  Our desire is not only to see these men come to Christ, but to have them join with us in God’s mission to redeem a lost world.  After accepting Christ and being discipled, they return home equipped to share the good news with their families and friends.

Join Us Friday

We'll finish the week with an opportunity to pray with Global Workers and Partners.

November 17th, 9AM MT, 11AM ET

#gwpweek2023

@emccwp