Chasing lions is a fascinating title to me and in this issue you will read numerous stories about Southern Baptists and missionaries who are doing just that! As I think about the challenges ahead of us in the 21st century to reach North America for Christ, I have been asking the question, “What kind of leadership will it take?” I think I have the answer. Lion chasers!
The one person in Scripture who epitomizes this kind of leadership for me is Daniel. As a young man he was wrenched from his home and taken to a foreign nation as a captive. The favor of God was on his life and he was an effective leader, even in these difficult circumstances. Here are some of the leadership qualities he displayed:
He had Character (Daniel 1:8)
He had Courage (Daniel 1:12)
He had Consecration (Daniel 6:5)
He worked in Collaboration (Daniel 1:6)
He worked Cross-cultural (Daniel 1:4)
He was a Catalyst for change (Daniel 6:26)
God used Daniel to influence two world empires and the reign of four kings. He still uses leaders who display these qualities. Let me share with you the story of just such a leader.
Mirimichi Valley Community Church is located just south of Doakown, New Brunswick, Canada. Doaktown is a community of 1,200 people. When church planter Dave Storey drove through the town before planting the church, he saw several young people doing and selling drugs in the community. Now, many of those same kids and their dealers have given their hearts to the Lord. Mirimichi Valley Community Church is only a year-and-a-half old. They meet in a remodeled grocery store and have more than 160 people in attendance. But of those 160 people, more than 100 of them are new believers! On Sunday in July, 18 people gave their hearts to Christ and were baptized. The Monday and Tuesday after that, eight more people gave their hearts to the Lord! WOW! What is Dave’s strategy? Get 100 names of lost people and begin to pray diligently for them—up to three hours in prayer every morning—and spend most of the rest of the day soul winning.
Now that’s a lion chaser. The question, though, is—are you?
Geoff Hammond
PS: Don’t forget to go to ilivevalues.comand sign up for our 40 days of prayer leading up to our national elections.