We’ve lived a short time here in La Punta and as some of the only white-skinned people in town we kind of stick out which gets small town folks curious and wondering who we are. It’s been interesting to see/hear about people’s first impressions:
Who do people think we are? Wealthy, New, Organ harvesters, Druggies, Archeologists, Miners, Friends, Athletes, English Speakers…
Being church planters in a new area has helped us relate better to believers in the first church and even to Jesus. Take Mark’s account for example. He says:
“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued questioning them: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:27-30
Everyone was curious about who Jesus was, but few really knew the truth. They had to spend time with him to figure it out. That’s how it is when we share the gospel too. It’s easy to present people with a first impression of Jesus Christ with a five-minute gospel presentation, but just because someone accepts Christ, doesn’t mean that they understand what they did or even that they are interested in being a part of a body of believers. Walking with Christ is a journey, as well as a decision. The challenge we have before us is to bring people into the journey of walking with Christ.
Today we signed the papers for our new home!
