Gospel Hoarders
How Short-Term Missions Can Change the Way You Share the Gospel
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There are millions of people all over the world who are still waiting to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The problem isn’t that they don’t want to believe. The problem is they haven’t been told so that they can believe! “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). Scripture teaches that to whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). Americans have more resources, more churches, more Bibles, more Christian training, and more access to the Gospel than any other place in the world. Have we become Gospel hoarders? Hoarding is defined as the act of accumulating possessions and carefully guarding them or hiding them. Is that what we have done with the Gospel? How often do we share the Gospel with someone? How many Bibles do we own that just sit around the house? Are our churches focused on reaching the lost, or do we hide inside our houses of worship with doors closed to the world? We are surrounded with Christian radio stations, TV stations, movies, bookstores, Bible studies, conferences and so much more. These things can be great tools used by God. But in a world where social media is a part of our daily life and there’s a church on every street corner, how easy it is to take for granted the abundant access we have to the Gospel. God has greatly blessed our nation and our churches. Therefore, we have a huge responsibility to share what God has given us with the rest of the world. In this book I hope to give you a place to start. Whether you are a seasoned mission traveler or are just beginning to prepare for your first mission experience, I pray that the thoughts and insights in this book will be helpful as you prepare for your journey. I want to help you as you and your church undertake the process of forming your missional strategy. I know this may be a brand new endeavor for many. Through much prayer and planning, I believe we can make it a reality. So I invite you to read through this book with an open heart and mind to the moving of the Spirit of God. It could bring an end to Gospel hoarding in your church and the beginning of an exciting journey in changing the world! My desire and purpose is this: To see every local church directly involved in sending and going.
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About the Book
Scripture teaches that to whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). Americans have more resources, more churches, more Bibles, more Christian training, and more access to the Gospel than any other place in the world. Have we become Gospel hoarders? Whether you are a seasoned mission traveler or are just beginning to prepare for your first mission experience, we pray that the thoughts and insights in this book will be helpful as you prepare for your involvement in global missions. It could bring an end to Gospel hoarding in your church and the beginning of an exciting journey in changing the world! Our desire and purpose is this: to see every local church directly involved in sending and going.
About the Author
Rick Via has served as pastor, evangelist, and missionary for thirty years. He is a graduate of Southwestern Theological Seminary and holds an honorary Doctorate of Theology degree from Mid-Atlantic Theological College. He has preached the Gospel in over forty countries and has been involved in church planting, pastoral training, and the discipling of new converts. Rick is the founder of World Reach Partnerships, an international ministry dedicated to proclaiming the saving message of Jesus Christ to the nations. He and his wife, Janet, reside in Troutville, Virginia. They have five children and fifteen grandchildren.
Jacob Via is the communications director for World Reach Partnerships and the fourth son of Rick Via. He is the co-author of Gospel Hoarders: How Short-Term Missions Can Change the Way You Share the Gospel. He has spent the last fifteen years taking the Gospel around the globe with World Reach. Jacob and his wife, Keesha, have four children. They reside in Youngsville, North Carolina.