Chapter 9
A CPM Vision For The World
God has shown us that He is indeed doing something
in our days among the peoples of the earth—something so amazing we would
not have believed it had we not seen it with our own eyes (see Hab. 1:5).
We are calling this amazing thing Church Planting Movements. Church
Planting Movements are not limited to a geographical or racial sector of
society. God has demonstrated that He can produce them among urban or
rural, educated or illiterate people on any continent and from any
religious background. The universal link in each of them is God
reconciling the world to Himself through Christ Jesus.
Along the way, He has called us to be co-laborers
with Him. If we are willing, He may grace us further to see Church
Planting Movements unfold throughout the world in our generation.
Over the past five years, in as few as five Church
Planting Movements, nearly a quarter of a million lost souls have come to
faith in Jesus Christ. Imagine 50 Church Planting Movements—or 500! The
excitement, however, is not in the numbers, not even when we consider that
these numbers represent individuals coming to new life in Christ. The
greatest joy comes in being on mission with God in His redemptive plan for
the nations—serving as His instruments in this unfolding miracle of
salvation that is being extended to all peoples. It is for this joy that
we press on.
Marathon runners usually begin their race with great
enthusiasm. Before long, however, many drop out or slow down. But some
runners stride on through the pain and exhaustion. For these enduring
athletes, there is no more exhilarating sight than the homestretch. When
they see it, their pulse quickens, their pace strengthens and their
adrenaline surges as they drive themselves forward to the finish line.
The body of Christ has been running a great race for nearly 2,000 years.
Along the way, many believers have grown weary and distracted. Instead of
pressing ahead, they have become satisfied with a slowing pace.
A growing number of Christians today are observing
signs that we may be entering the homestretch. God is pouring out His
spirit among the nations (see Acts 2:17). Those who interpret these Church
Planting Movements as signs of His divine intervention in history are
re-examining their lives and redoubling their efforts.
Simply put, if this is of God, we want to be a part
of it. Entering the homestretch, we find our pulse quickening, our pace
strengthening and our resolve heightened.
“Let us
then throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us.”
(Heb. 12:1, NIV)
Prayer
Needs
