At the beginning of September, eighteen interns, along with six children, came together in Winnipeg for two months of training. They all moved into high-density apartment buildings where people from all over the world lived.
We call it Focus Internship, a new mission training program for individuals and families who are discerning their call and place in Jesus’ mission. It is an intentional season of training, equipping, and practical service with a community that is preparing for cross-cultural service.
Our days have been filled with worship, prayer, and inspired teaching, while our evenings and weekends have been focused on interacting with our neighbours who come from India, Pakistan, and other nations. This has created an environment where the interns are able to put into practice what they are learning on how to build relationships and share the Gospel with people from other religious backgrounds. Our theme has been, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
One day, Tabea, an intern from Paraguay, met a young Indian woman in the elevator who was visibly in distress. Tabea introduced herself and asked if she could help her in some way. After chatting briefly, they exchanged phone numbers and decided to meet for breakfast the next morning.
During breakfast together, Tabea shared her faith in Jesus with her new friend. The young Indian woman did not understand how Jesus was different from her Hindu gods. “Can I pray for you?” Tabea asked.
“What does it look like to pray to your God?” the woman replied nervously. “Do we need to go to a certain place or take a certain posture?”
“God is always with us, even right now,” Tabea responded. “Let’s just talk to God as we walk home together.” The young woman was deeply encouraged and the two continue to connect.
Nathan, another intern, met for coffee with two young men who recently moved to Canada, one from Pakistan and the other from India. The conversation easily turned to faith. As they talked, God reminded Nathan of lessons he had learned in Focus training, particularly the teaching from Nasser al’Qahtani, who taught on how to share the Gospel with people from other religions. Nathan started with Genesis, introducing the Creator, then focused on a personal God who walks with us and talks with us. He recognized that the Holy Spirit was guiding him to the right stories and shaping his language. Instead of talking about sin, he talked about shame. Instead of obedience, he spoke about honour. His new friends seemed to understand. As Nathan learns more, he hopes to continue meeting with his new friends.
We are all missionaries. Regardless of our location, if we listen to the Spirit and make ourselves available to God, he will use us to make himself known. Please join us as we invest in this next generation of disciple makers who are passionate about sharing the Gospel and sincerely desire to see others experience the love of God in their lives.
Please pray:
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For the eighteen Focus Interns as they prepare for their seven-month mission assignments
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For those in Winnipeg who have heard the Gospel through the Focus Interns
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For more workers to be called and trained for the harvest (Luke 10:2)
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