Finding Your Africa

At the end of each Kingdom Encounter trip students are encouraged to find their Africa back home where the Father has  purposely placed them. For many being in a different culture, serving and worshipping with other believers opens their eyes to encounter Jesus and His Kingdom in life changing ways.  Some hear the Father’s voice sing over them with delight as His love transforms hearts and His healing floods deep within wounded hearts.

On this last trip there were many tears the last day and hugs at the airport with hopes to come back. It is always a blessing to watch what the Spirit does in these young lives while in South Africa. But our earnest prayer is that each one will “find their Africa” in their school, home, team, place of work, or wherever the Father has placed them.

I have a good friend who has never been to Africa, though one day when he retires he promises to come. He works in a corporate manufacturing job with about 60 people who work under him. He often calls me on his 30 minute commute to work and we catch up on life and what the Lord is doing in our lives.

I love hearing stories of how his “Africa” is within the walls of his office. Every day people come in and out asking questions, seeking wisdom, and sharing their problems. He listens, loves, and many times will ask them if they would like prayer. His office has become a safe sanctuary where many have encountered the love of Christ in him. Some have even found Christ’s saving love right in that office.

When I think of my friend, I recall the last words of Jesus before He took the throne beside His Father in heaven: ”

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mt. 28:19-20

If you noticed, I highlight a few words, the first is “Go.”  From the Greek you could translate it “while you are going.” Meaning wherever the Father has placed you, go and shine out the Christ who lives within you.  His promise is “I am with you always.” If you’ve placed your faith in Christ He walks with you everyplace you go.

Your mission field starts when you wake up in the morning and see your family, when you walk out of the door into your neighborhood, when you enter math class, or when you stand in a long line or are stuck in traffic.

Don’t miss your Africa.  You don’t have to take a 10,000 mile journey across the ocean to show and share Jesus. The Father has placed you right where you are and has given you His Spirit to be Jesus’ love to someone who needs to encounter Him through you. Just “Go!” and remember He is always “with you!”