IM Director Clint Morgan often quotes an old African proverb: “The load is lighter when two people carry it.” This phrase not only provides a great word picture for sharing physical labor, but it also lends itself to sharing the burden of reaching the unreached and fulfilling the Great Commission.
It takes all “hands” working together to carry the load, whether going in person, clasping hands in prayer, or sacrificially opening our hands to give generously. Jesus commanded all believers to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Let’s join our hands to reach the world together.
Hannah’s little hands never stopped moving. Whether she was coloring with markers, molding Play-Doh™, or chasing butterflies, her hands were always busy. On Sundays, she always carried her children’s Bible to church. As she sat in the pew one Sunday morning, she listened to a recent ETEAM high school student share about his summer missions trip.
At the end, she put her hands together in applause after hearing the amazing stories of God’s love shared with others around the world. It’s about the gospel!
• • • • • •
Touchdown! David, a young dad of three boys, was tackled by his sons as they played football in the backyard. After a long workday, he always took time to play with his boys. Afterwards, they headed inside to get ready for bed, where David tucked them in and prayed with them — prayers for everyday things and prayers for the mission field. They chose an IM prayer card to learn about a missionary family. The children especially loved seeing the missionary kids on the cards. Then they clasped their hands, closed their eyes, and prayed. It’s about the gospel!
• • • • • •
The computer keyboard clicked furiously as the financial assistant entered monthly gifts to IM missionaries and partnerships. These gifts arrived in the morning mail, and she was delighted to see the generosity of churches and individuals across the denomination. As the day’s total grew, her heart filled with gratitude for the support helping missionaries and ministries around the world. It’s about the gospel!
• • • • • •
The offering plate passed hand to hand down the pew and was handed to an usher. He collected it and made his way to the back, where he and another usher counted each coin, bill, and check. Together, they accounted for the church’s World Missions Offering that day. He was excited as he saw the total grow, imagining what missionaries could do with the money. How many Bibles could they buy? What medical supplies could help the hurting? Could this money pay the electricity bill for the community outreach facility in Bangladesh? It’s about the gospel!
• • • • • •
She lifted her hand and waved goodbye to her parents and friends as she headed to the airport gate with her young family. Sunni and her husband were “fully funded” and finally headed to Japan. Her hands wiped away tears as she realized she would not see her family for years. Those same hands would soon wave hello to a mission family, a waiting church, and a language school tutor in her new culture. It’s about the gospel!
What about YOUR hands? How many gospel stories can be shared when you use them for God’s glory? How many people can you reach through your prayers, your offerings, and your sending? It’s about the gospel!
About the Writer: Lauren Biggs serves as the development communications manager for IM, Inc. Lauren is passionate about using her creativity to equip believers in missions and discipleship. She enjoys marketing, creating digital media content, and working in creative teams. Her favorite roles are wife and mom to two beautiful girls.
