8 A Few More Convictions

8

A Few More Convictions

Peter Maiden has asked me to share a few words as I was stepping down as International Coordinator of Operation Mobilisation. Here are seven terms I would like to give you.

1. Faithfulness

God has been so faithful! I have experienced that every day since my conversion. We can trust him 100 percent for the future. He never promised an easy road.

2. Thanksgiving

I want to thank all OMers, exOMers, prayer partners and supporters for their vital part in all that God has done. I want to thank local churches and other agencies for their love, loyalty and patience. Let’s remember 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

3. Forgiveness

I thank God for his great forgiveness to me, and also all people, on any occasion, as they forgave me and allowed love to cover my wrongdoing. It is my prayer that God will take the “revolution of love” and forgiveness much deeper into the DNA of the Movement.

4. Change

How I thank God for the wisdom and grace he gave us to keep growing and to keep changing! In the process, we have made mistakes and he has been merciful. The OM of 2003 is not the same OM of the sixties, but we have held fast to the basics, especially concerning God’s Word and the Lord Jesus.

5. Purity

I believe, the challenge of moral purity linked with integrity will be one of the biggest challenges in the years to come. We need to take serious steps to maintain this. Our willingness to humble ourselves and stay accountable will be key in this area of the battle.

6. Unity

If you listen to the old orientation tapes, you will realize how much love and unity were emphasized from the earliest days. One of the greatest encouragements over these 45 years is to see how this has been maintained, not in the absence of sin and failure, but in the midst of it. The message of The Calvary Road and other similar books has had a huge impact. Our unity will be tested in new (and old) ways in the future and I pray that we will stand firm in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

7. Faith

We live in very troubled times. As I write this, the war in Iraq is going in full force and the level of fear and hatred is growing at a phenomenal rate. The kind of work we are doing, with all its variety, may become more difficult. This may also increase the level of misunderstanding among us.

Our faith is going to be tested. Let’s focus on Ephesians 6:16, taking hold of the shield of faith. The unique system God has given, so that we can see our own support come in, has some negative factors, but I believe the positives outweigh them 10 to 1.

I thank God for how the transition has got through, and I stand 100 percent with Peter Maiden, Joseph D’souza and Francois Vosloo and all the area and field leaders as they move forward. Drena and I look forward with faith and joy to our new roles. Thank you for your prayers.