A while ago, en adopted the logo at the top of this column which represents a person running the race of faith in Christ.
It’s a Biblical picture, of course, and it is one that the late George Verwer (p.2) used too.
In his book Revolution of Love, Verwer finishes with a renewed challenge to believers about world mission. He writes: ‘If we believe in the word of God, the ministry of the Lord Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves to reach the unreached, to take the gospel to every nation and every people group and to every individual…’
He recognises, of course, that not all are called to service overseas – but encourages those who are not to nonetheless be involved, perhaps by supporting someone else financially. ‘Write to any mission society,’ he says, ‘and I guarantee you will find people who are trying to obey God’s call to go out but are being hindered by lack of support.’
At the same time, it is plainly something he wants all of us to at least consider: ‘I wonder if there are some today who would be willing to go out across the devil’s minefields, spiritually speaking; maybe risk your future, or that lovely retirement programme you’ve already been thinking about; maybe risk even your life or your health, that one more nation might hear the gospel…’
And he concludes: ‘I challenge you to be a marathon runner for God in this great task of world evangelism. And when you’re knocked down, just get up and get back in the race, and start running. When you fail, when you fall, get up! As soon as you feel your hand touch the ground, get up! And you’ll discover that … 20 or 30 years from now, just like me, you’ll still be running the race; weary sometimes, wounded sometimes, but still pressing on for Jesus Christ.’
