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Our Reach Local Blog gives you a chance to hear from our CEO and others in the mission on thoughts related to ministry, following Christ, and reaching locally here in the United States. Subscribe to our blog to be sure you don't miss a post.
25
September 2023
Measuring with the Right Stick
About 18 months ago, InFaith Missionary Connie Lyn Ediger wrote that God’s holiness, sovereignty, love, and faithfulness are not measured by life’s ups and downs, but by His character.
About 18 months ago, InFaith Missionary Connie Lyn Ediger wrote that God’s holiness, sovereignty, love, and faithfulness are not measured by life’s ups and downs, but by His character. Since she wrote those words, Connie...
08
September 2023
Servant-Leader?
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” –Mark 9:35 The concept of servant leadership is ubiquitous in contemporary church culture. It has become so conversationally...
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” –Mark 9:35 The concept of servant leadership is ubiquitous in contemporary church culture. It has become so conversationally commonplace...
31
August 2023
Jesus is who He says He is
When Jesus tells the parables of the Kingdom of God in Mark 4, He is foretelling the future. He is making a prophecy. The best indication of whether someone is truly a prophet is...
When Jesus tells the parables of the Kingdom of God in Mark 4, He is foretelling the future. He is making a prophecy. The best indication of whether someone is truly a prophet is whether...
04
August 2023
When darkness veils...
The hospital called to say that my uncle was admitted overnight for observation, but he was stable, and everything looked ok. The hospital called to say that my uncle was admitted overnight for observation...
The hospital called to say that my uncle was admitted overnight for observation, but he was stable, and everything looked ok. My first thought, for a split second, was to let his brother and mother...
13
July 2023
Persistent in Prayer
“This is my aunt,” said the young woman motioning to the (also young) woman sitting next to her. “We’re serving the Lord together now.”
“This is my aunt,” said the young woman motioning to the (also young) woman sitting next to her. “We’re serving the Lord together now.” The camp director told me that this was a miracle. About...
08
June 2023
Labor in the Lord
What a great weekend I had with Shawn and Cheryl Ammons and their incredible team of leaders who will be serving camp this summer. My wife Sandi and I did the math and if...
What a great weekend I had with Shawn and Cheryl Ammons and their incredible team of leaders who will be serving camp this summer. My wife Sandi and I did the math and if the...
01
June 2023
God Can Do The Impossible
We love to hear of God’s faithfulness and grace being poured out on communities served by InFaith missionaries. One church in particular, Cornerstone Community Church in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, is seeing God...
We love to hear of God’s faithfulness and grace being poured out on communities served by InFaith missionaries. One church in particular, Cornerstone Community Church in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, is seeing God work...
04
May 2023
In Fear & Confidence
In 2 Chronicles 14 we read of King Asa. The Bible says that King Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He took down the idols and directed...
In 2 Chronicles 14 we read of King Asa. The Bible says that King Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord. He took down the idols and directed people’s...
11
April 2023
God's Masterpiece
It is the end of the semester and final exams are coming up. You realize that you have an exam scheduled for a class that you never attended. You go to the registrar (who...
It is the end of the semester and final exams are coming up. You realize that you have an exam scheduled for a class that you never attended. You go to the registrar (who is...
06
April 2023
Resurrection and Reconciliation
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised...
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him...
30
March 2023
Overcome Evil with Good
As the horror of the shooting at the Covenant Presbyterian Church School in Nashville set in, people immediately began drawing conclusions about what the shooting means, how it was handled, and what could be...
As the horror of the shooting at the Covenant Presbyterian Church School in Nashville set in, people immediately began drawing conclusions about what the shooting means, how it was handled, and what could be done...
23
March 2023
Our Only Comfort
In the prologue to his autobiography, Bertrand Russell writes of his anguished life:
In the prologue to his autobiography, Bertrand Russell writes of his anguished life: Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for...
16
March 2023
We Shall Be Forever with the Lord
We’ve been looking at the great hymn “Be Still My Soul” and, inspired by Pastor Jon Bloom, we’ve looked at several movements within the hymn and how each speaks to a different assurance of...
We’ve been looking at the great hymn “Be Still My Soul” and, inspired by Pastor Jon Bloom, we’ve looked at several movements within the hymn and how each speaks to a different assurance of God’s...
09
March 2023
Jesus Can Repay
In verse three of the great hymn of courage “Be Still My Soul”, when grief has pierced our hearts at the deaths of our dearest ones, we have a reminder of God’s prospective mercy:
In verse three of the great hymn of courage “Be Still My Soul”, when grief has pierced our hearts at the deaths of our dearest ones, we have a reminder of God’s prospective mercy: Be...
22
February 2023
The Lord Is On Your Side
Last week, one of our new InFaith church plants experienced one of the hardest losses a community can face. A young man--only 27 years old--suffered a fatal cardiac arrest following an undiagnosed heart condition.
Last week, one of our new InFaith church plants experienced one of the hardest losses a community can face. A young man--only 27 years old--suffered a fatal cardiac arrest following an undiagnosed heart condition. Whenever...
09
February 2023
Partnership & Perseverance
Four years ago, three teenagers were at home when their estranged father came in and started shooting. He killed both the children’s cousin and step-grandfather. The state provided some counseling, but their wounds are...
Four years ago, three teenagers were at home when their estranged father came in and started shooting. He killed both the children’s cousin and step-grandfather. The state provided some counseling, but their wounds are so...
02
February 2023
What A Savior
Boxing gloves hung from the meat rack in the back of the butcher shop. They were there in case anyone wanted to stop by the shop and square off with the butcher for a...
Boxing gloves hung from the meat rack in the back of the butcher shop. They were there in case anyone wanted to stop by the shop and square off with the butcher for a round...
25
January 2023
True Ministry Stories
One of the most intriguing pages on our new website is the one dedicated to the stories of InFaith Missionaries ( https://infaith.org/stories). Men and women of God called and committed to sharing the Gospel...
One of the most intriguing pages on our new website is the one dedicated to the stories of InFaith Missionaries ( https://infaith.org/stories). Men and women of God called and committed to sharing the Gospel of...
09
January 2023
Our Present Sufferings...
Prayers for Damar Hamlin and Jeremy Renner. I was late turning the game on and was surprised by the hushed tones and serious faces of the commentators. Everything about the broadcast communicated that something...
Prayers for Damar Hamlin and Jeremy Renner. I was late turning the game on and was surprised by the hushed tones and serious faces of the commentators. Everything about the broadcast communicated that something had...
29
December 2022
Abide in Me
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 The night on which...
22
December 2022
Trusting the Goodness of God
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 Mary the mother of Jesus so trusted the goodness of God that she submitted to...
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 Mary the mother of Jesus so trusted the goodness of God that she submitted to a...
15
December 2022
If Jesus is the Messiah, then why…?
In a prison cell, John the Baptist asked two of his followers to pose this question to Jesus: “Are you the one to come or should we look for another?” Luke 7:19 Why is...
In a prison cell, John the Baptist asked two of his followers to pose this question to Jesus: “Are you the one to come or should we look for another?” Luke 7:19 Why is John...
08
December 2022
Advent
Advent is a season of waiting. God’s people waited for the Messiah to be born and, today, we eagerly await his return. In modern America, we seem to have a very hard time waiting...
Advent is a season of waiting. God’s people waited for the Messiah to be born and, today, we eagerly await his return. In modern America, we seem to have a very hard time waiting. As...
17
November 2022
The Hope of Jesus Christ
My dad passed away this week. I got the call from my sister on Monday morning, my dad died. He had been a lifelong smoker who developed lung cancer that had already progressed to...
My dad passed away this week. I got the call from my sister on Monday morning, my dad died. He had been a lifelong smoker who developed lung cancer that had already progressed to stage...
10
November 2022
When We Are Weak
2 Corinthians 12 must be one of the most powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the whole of scripture. Paul, acknowledging the surpassing greatness of the revelations the Lord has shown him, goes on...
2 Corinthians 12 must be one of the most powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness in the whole of scripture. Paul, acknowledging the surpassing greatness of the revelations the Lord has shown him, goes on to...
02
November 2022
Refresh 2022
What a time of worship and preaching, connecting, and resting! Refresh 2022 brought over 130 InFaith missionaries, staff, and trustees to the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina last week.
What a time of worship and preaching, connecting, and resting! Refresh 2022 brought over 130 InFaith missionaries, staff, and trustees to the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina last week. Recognizing that missionaries sacrificially serve...
13
October 2022
Why Use Half a Barbecue?
One of our Field Directors, Keith, shared with me about an experience he had visiting with a prospective missionary who currently has a thriving street ministry among the homeless in San Diego, California. Twice...
One of our Field Directors, Keith, shared with me about an experience he had visiting with a prospective missionary who currently has a thriving street ministry among the homeless in San Diego, California. Twice a...
29
September 2022
InFaith Helps Church Planters
Church planting is deep in the heart of InFaith’s DNA. From our beginnings as the American Sunday School Union through our time as the American Missionary Fellowship, InFaith has always focused on creating Christ-following...
Church planting is deep in the heart of InFaith’s DNA. From our beginnings as the American Sunday School Union through our time as the American Missionary Fellowship, InFaith has always focused on creating Christ-following communities...
22
September 2022
Making a Difference
I love to hear the stories of InFaith missionaries making a difference in people’s lives. Bill and Patsy Curry serve in one of the most under resourced neighborhoods in the United States, and, by...
I love to hear the stories of InFaith missionaries making a difference in people’s lives. Bill and Patsy Curry serve in one of the most under resourced neighborhoods in the United States, and, by God’s...
08
September 2022
Fellowship
On a recent visit to the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed being part of an Area Fellowship under the leadership of field director, Nathan Bath, and area coordinator, Tom Hiscox. While there, I had the...
On a recent visit to the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed being part of an Area Fellowship under the leadership of field director, Nathan Bath, and area coordinator, Tom Hiscox. While there, I had the privilege...
18
August 2022
Generational Impact
While visiting Camp Galilee in Tennessee this summer, I had the joy of spending some time with Mark & Mellissa Lay and witnessing the incredible ministry they are doing there. One afternoon while visiting...
While visiting Camp Galilee in Tennessee this summer, I had the joy of spending some time with Mark & Mellissa Lay and witnessing the incredible ministry they are doing there. One afternoon while visiting Betty...
21
July 2022
A God Story
I love to hear the amazing God stories that our InFaith staff around the country share with us. I’m thankful for the mission of our Field Director for Southern California, Keith Stringfellow, who shared...
I love to hear the amazing God stories that our InFaith staff around the country share with us. I’m thankful for the mission of our Field Director for Southern California, Keith Stringfellow, who shared the...
30
June 2022
Joe Kim
As of last Friday, InFaith Missionary Pastor Joe Kim is the Moderator-Elect of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
As of last Friday, InFaith Missionary Pastor Joe Kim is the Moderator-Elect of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Pastor Joe is one of those unique followers of Jesus who is passionate about creating Christian community where...
02
June 2022
Our Deepest Need, Part 1
Read Mark 2:1-12. Can you imagine the scene? A tiny, first century stone house with a flat roof made of mud and straw... A crowd of people so large that it spilled out of...
Read Mark 2:1-12. Can you imagine the scene? A tiny, first century stone house with a flat roof made of mud and straw... A crowd of people so large that it spilled out of the...
26
May 2022
Distractions
“The jet turned at an impossible angle. It was going too fast to make a safe landing. It can’t be a passenger plane, or it would be in trouble.” Those were my thoughts standing...
“The jet turned at an impossible angle. It was going too fast to make a safe landing. It can’t be a passenger plane, or it would be in trouble.” Those were my thoughts standing by...
05
May 2022
God’s Plan for Your Life
It is true for missionaries and all the people we serve: “God has a plan for your new life in Christ.” That’s an idea that we’re all familiar with. A second, more advanced, idea...
It is true for missionaries and all the people we serve: “God has a plan for your new life in Christ.” That’s an idea that we’re all familiar with. A second, more advanced, idea is...
13
April 2022
My Grandfather
My grandfather was an Italian immigrant who came to Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. He worked in a slaughterhouse and later at a refinery. He loved chin-ups and bowling and could...
My grandfather was an Italian immigrant who came to Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. He worked in a slaughterhouse and later at a refinery. He loved chin-ups and bowling and could fix...