“Fellowship” is a really funny word. We name rooms in churches after it, calling them “fellowship halls.” We oftentimes will say in church, “You belong to a fellowship.” But “fellowship” is a verb – not a noun – when it is practiced. It means connecting to each other and building into each other’s lives. Some people you have fellowship with when you don’t expect it – it just happens.

I spent last week in the Northwest, visiting friends of the mission. There are some great people there. I started out with Jim and Linda VanVoorst. Of course, I had previously known and worked with Jim as an RD, but this was the first time I spent time with Linda. After talking with her and listening to her and hearing her heart, she’s a person I have fellowship with. We connect because of our relationship with Christ.

I visited some donors: some who give large gifts, and some who give small gifts with a cheerful heart. Some donate to missionaries who are relatives, and some just love the mission because it is a part of their lives or because they became Christians at AMF functions.

Later in the week I had dinner with Scott and Rachel Lidbeck up in Bellingham, Washington. It was marvelous to hear their story, and I had fellowship with them. There was a connection; there was a unity that took place.

What was amazing was no matter where I went, the word “fellowship” seemed to be a part of what we were about. There was a unique connection between brothers and sisters who love God and love Jesus and love the mission.

Isn’t it interesting that we’re called “American Missionary Fellowship”? I really desire that what I experienced in the Northwest – fellowship with so many different kinds of people – will be obvious to everyone. I want us to be known for our love for one another and for the way we experience fellowship together.