What was the most impactful church service you’ve ever attended? I can remember mine as if it were last Sunday.
I walked into the same church, through the same vestibule, passing the same water fountain. I smelled the same iconic church smell as I approached the same old glass door to the sanctuary. Looking through that door, I saw the same adults fellowshipping in the same way.
But this time, I noticed something different.
I had seen this different something before. I had seen it on TV and in books, but never in person, because it’s typically located in parts of the world I never imagined visiting.
What was it? It was a zebra lying across the back pew. Technically, a zebra skin — but for this little kid in Portsmouth, Va., it was a zebra. I was mesmerized!
Something else happened that day. The man who brought that zebra to church was the guest preacher. From Matthew 28, he challenged the church to spread the gospel and make disciples throughout the entire world, including places with zebras!
I got it. As a fifth grader, I clearly understood the assignment. I acquired the burden to do my part, and since I could not go to the world physically, I knew I had to do something. I committed to giving 50 cents every Sunday to missions.
Nearly 40 years later, that burden has become greater. As a stand-up comedian, I look for ways to reach and help more people in the places I can’t otherwise reach. My wife and I have consistently led our six kids to live and give on mission. And if the call to lead my family in mission efforts wasn’t enough, I became lead pastor of North Garland Baptist Fellowship.
The pastor’s heavy responsibility to teach others to see and live out the Great Commission can literally cause my heart to fear and tremble. In those moments, remembering Jesus said His burden is light, I have to ask myself if I’m carrying an unnecessary burden.
The answer is “yes.”
I once thought I had to come up with a plan to do the work of the Great Commission individually or with my local church/group. But when I saw all we can do through the collective efforts of the Cooperative Program (CP), not only did my heavy burden turn into a light one, but it also gave me a sense of ministerial confidence. I no longer have to take the same approach to local and global missions.
I join forces and resources with like-minded brothers and sisters across the globe. Additionally, I know that I, along with so many others, have access to training and equipping to do the massive work we are all called to do.
This has allowed me to stand as the leader of a church with a clear conscience and say, “Yes, by giving through the CP, we are doing our part in fulfilling the Great Commission.” Through the Cooperative Program, we’re all doing things we never thought we’d do, reaching those who don’t know about the saving grace of Jesus or who simply need to grow in that same grace.
Whether it’s places with zebras or places where they’ve never seen zebras, we are seeing God do things we never thought of or imagined for His glory.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Jason Earls serves as lead pastor of North Garland Baptist Fellowship in Garland, Texas. This article originally appeared at texanonline.net.)
