by Linda Lucas
I have been putting off writing about ICOM, I admit, because this truly was a disturbing conference that demands a response. I have been speechless…. How will I respond? Each main session message was rooted in the Scriptural realities written of in RADICAL, the book by David Platt. If you haven’t read the book yet, do! It is a challenging read that demands a response.
The themes for the main speakers were; A Radical Belief: No One Comes to the Father, Except Through Christ; A Radical Force: The Holy Spirit; A Radical Opportunity; Reach the World Changers; A Radical Call: Come and Die; A Radical Responsibility: Deliver the Captives; A Radical Force: The Spirit of the Anti-Christ; A Radical Command: Go and Make Disciples and A Radical Obedience: Fulfill God’s Mission for Your Life.
As I contemplate all these powerful messages threaded together they are evoking an overwhelming wave of emotion. I am a slow processor so tend to take things in as quite matter of fact with seemingly little impact then as I ponder all the input and the Spirit of God speaks to my heart that which is of the His word and truth, I am left in awe. … Now, the flood gates open….
Now what LORD? What is it that You require of me personally? … Duh! Did I not just hear it repeatedly? God has commissioned us, His church, to be His ambassadors to the nations! What am I doing in obedience to that? His Call to believe is radical! His call of commitment is radical! His command to go is radical! The opportunities to fulfill our responsibility are radical! The spirit of the anti-Christ is ominous but the power of His Holy Spirit within us is radically omnipotent! My response can only be one of radical obedience! So, help me God, I am compelled to say, ‘here am I, Lord, send me!”
At this year’s International Conference on Missions, at least 80 people made decisions to pursue their role in global missions. Praise the LORD! Please join me in asking God to provide the encouragement, preparation, partnerships, and wisdom they will need. Thank God for raising up more workers for His fields of harvest.