Dr. Ralph D. Winter

Dr. Ralph Winter, missions pioneer and founder of U.S. Center for World Mission, William Carey International University (and its publishing arm), Frontier Mission Fellowship, and a host of other Kingdom endeavors, went to be with our Lord and Savior on May 20 after a battle with cancer.

Though he clearly impacted countless people for the cause of Christ, I was personally challenged in the Perspectives class which I finished recently, and of which he also was creator and developer.

This passage from an historical survey of three mission eras kept me awake many nights and on my knees: "Doing lots of good things, or as someone has said, 'Keepin' busy for Jesus' individually may be a case of 'good but not good enough.' Our Evangelical perspective has become so individualized that we may only think of individual good works. Doing good little things wherever convenient may sometimes be merely a way to justify and make credible in our own eyes our minimal personal salvation. Starting with our own talents and interests is common but is the way of the world - it is getting things backwards...We must start with His concerns, whatever our gifts, wants, and abilities....Our obligation is to seek the expansion of the knowledge of the glory of God and His Kingdom, and this would logically require us each to prayerfully seek God about doing the hardest thing we are able to do in the most crucial task we can find."

Clearly Dr. Winter did not choose busy himself with good little tasks but instead chose the long and hard road God required of him. What a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus this man was. His legacy is great, yet I know he's standing in the presence of the King hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I know Winter's legacy will last globaly as I am sure it will personally. Lord, thank you for this wonderful man. Amen

Message = 1, Technology = 0

We have guest speakers each week for the Perspectives class I've been taking this semester.  Most lectures are interesting and engaging, but a few can leave me sleepy.  I was thrown a curve ball by a recent guest when I walked into the class room and one of these sweet, old overhead projectors was set up in front, ready for action.   The instructor was an old, frail looking man with super-white hair and a tired countenance.  I'd read an article of his earlier in the week for homework and came that night with high expectations. However, after scanning the scene I was like, "Oh, boy... maybe shoulda' stayed home tonight.  Really old instructor + really old technology = wish I would have brought my laptop to catch up on emails during this class..."

However, within a few moments of our guest taking the podium, I knew I had been completely wrong.  Here's an 80+ year old man, a pioneer in cross-cultural Christian missions, sharp as a sword, engaging, witty, relevant.  A few scribblings on the overhead slides, but it didn't slow down the presentation one bit.  Additionally, most of the other lecturers who come in using a more modern projector, hip new laptop, and multimedia presentations have yet to bring to the table an impact equal to this champ.  Once again, it's not about the means; it's all about the message.  Jesus Christ is the most exciting thing about missions, yesterday, today, and forever.  Here's to you David Hesselgrave; thanks for making it so!

Score:  Message = 1, Technology = 0