taiwan: what are you doing in this place?

As you go from place to place, from meeting to meeting, from one conference to another, you might ask yourself: why am I here? This is one of the questions the participants to the 11th Youth Missions Conference of CEF, the IFES movement in Taiwan, were encouraged to ask themselves as they prepared their hearts and minds for the conference. 'Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What is your business here?' (Judges 18:3)

The conference has brought together 1,600 students and 200 volunteers for a week of challenging teaching, prayer and fasting, and focus on mission. Martin Goldsmith, one of the speakers at the event, says that the mission of Jesus and his followers is one of preaching and proclamation that relates to the needs of the poor and oppressed. 'Mission must therefore include an active concern for all people, for the social needs of the poor and for the environment, which is created for Christ (Colossians 1:16) and should be kept beautiful for his pleasure.'

Please join us in praying for the participants at the Youth Missions Conference (11-17 July) who were brought to that place by God, that they will know why they are there. Pray that they will meet with God there, that they will hear, understand and obey God's will for their lives. Whether they stay in Taiwan or leave the country for the sake of the gospel, pray that they will preach and proclaim the good news of Jesus, having in mind and taking to heart people's needs.

Tomorrow is the last evening of the conference and Lindsay Brown, former IFES General Secretary, will speak at the closing session. Please pray for him to preach clearly and faithfully, and pray that the 1,600 participants will 'go and make disciples of all nations' (Matthew 28.19).

Comment: How do you preach and proclaim the good news in a way that relates to the needs of the poor and oppressed? How are you expressing an 'active concern' for all aspects of God's creation?

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