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"Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2
I want to thank you for responding to the need for short term missionaries in the Utah ~ Idaho region.
Christian churches in that region are outnumbered by our Mormon friends and neighbors. If you have a burden for ministering to Mormons please pray that together, in Christ, we can begin to make a difference.
As you have seen from reading my testimony, I came out of Mormonism and was involved as a leader in their missionary work. Because of that experience I understand the confusing gap between Christians and Mormons.
Through training, Christians on short term missions can make a difference in the lives of the Mormon people. The training that comes with our partnership will focus on Mormon language, culture as well as theological differences.
When missionaries return home, they will have an increased passion for the lost and see themselves as "Great Commission Christians" in their home church.
In His Grace,
Jerry Stokes
AT HOME
It is our vision to be linked with the local home Evangelical churches, and educators. Many Christians say they are too confused about Mormons to witness with confidence. We have a passion for helping Christians gain confidence through sufficient training.
IN THE FIELD
Our vision is to focus each ministry trip around specific Evangelical churches or organizations in Utah ~ Idaho. We have a passion to minister there in the ways that will be a practical help in meeting local needs. This could include anything from painting a wall to going on a prayer walk. One result of this kind of service will include the making of life long relationships between missionaries, churches, Christian educators and leaders serving in Utah and Idaho. A by-product of this kind of ministry will be seen in the future lives of those who return home.
2. There will be some prayer walks scheduled in various locations.
3. There will be devotional times and everyone will be encouraged to journal their trip. Everyone will be praying for one another.
4. There will be time to befriend local Christians who pay a price for being constantly surrounded by people of a different faith. We will be praying for local members and leaders daily.
5. There will be street ministry lifting up Jesus Christ from door to door with a winsome message that anyone can learn.
6. There will be cultural training. Missionaries will be exposed to a different worldview in Utah. They will experience being surrounded by Mormons and the sometimes imposing Mormon Church.
7. There will be service projects to local churches, organizations or schools in practical ways. This may include basic things like helping paint to more ambitious projects. Many Christian churches in Utah experience being under funded.
8. There will be free times for getting to enjoy Utah communities.
WHAT MADE ME LEAVE?
I had a radical experience with the Lord Jesus Christ. It was unexpected and surprising. After my new birth, Christ began slowly changing me from the inside out. One of the reasons I was so surprised by my new birth was because Mormon theology deny the possibility that Jesus Christ could indwell someone like me [D&C 130:3, 22]. While they proudly declare the full name of Jesus Christ in the name of their church they deny His presence in the Christian's heart. Though they proudly point to His name on the outside of all their buildings, they deny His inward presence. That inward living presence of Christ has been the foundation of the Christian experience for over 2,000 years.
UPDATE
I graduated from the Pacific Northwest campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies in May 2002. As a part of my degree I put on a seminar on Mormonism. Foundational to that seminar was my own research titled: MORMNISM 2002: A HANDBOOK ON MORMONISM TO PREPARE THE CHURCH TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN MORMONISM AND CHRISTIANITY.
THE FIRST STEP ~ THE NEW BIRTH
When Jesus explained the road to becoming a genuine disciple it included a first step that He called the "new birth." "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" [John 3:3].
Many missionaries are going to Utah carrying many messages today. But I believe if we lift up Jesus Christ and his "new birth" He will honor our effort with fruit. We understand that Christ alone is the Lord of the harvest. Often one will plant a seed, another will water and still another will enjoy the harvest of leading someone to Christ. That was true in my own life as many Christians from different church backgrounds shared about the same Christ before I was saved in 1985.
OUR MESSAGE IS NOT TO "BASH MORMONS"
It is not our primary purpose to "argue" with Mormons about fine points of theology or even the latest archeological discovery regarding some aspect of Mormonism. However, should we meet Mormons who themselves raise some of these issues, our training has been designed to allow our missionaries a confident Biblical response in Truth and Love.
MESSAGE OF UNITY
Mormons have been taught to reject Christianity because we do not seem to have unity or love. Our message is not about things like church government, history, the Holy Spirit, end time prophecy, or in joining into any debates currently raging among Evangelicals.
If you plan on being a part of one of our teams to Utah, we demand an atmosphere of respect, love and service in Christ. We will encourage you to take our minds off of ourselves and our differences and onto Christ and the potential tragedy of millions of lost and dying Mormons.
If you serve with us our focus will demonstrate in Utah that Christians from differing theological positions and church backgrounds can minister in agreement offering the new birth in a winsome way.
UTAH MISSIONS
11125 NE Hurley's Lane
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-4158 Church
(503) 538-4173 Home
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