January 2020
Since the formation of our mission 85 years ago in Kenya Africa, the Gospel Furthering Fellowship has had but one pulsing heartbeat—to make Christ known among all nations! In Mark chapter 1, we see three important features to the message Christ heralded forth as He began His earthly ministry. The first is that the Gospel is about Himself (v. 1). The term “Gospel” as it is used in this context is referring specifically to the story of the Person of Jesus Christ! It is the narrative of his coming, his birth, his ministry, his death, and most of all, his resurrection. When we examine the four varying written accounts of His life, we clearly see that they were penned for one divine purpose of making Christ known to different people groups around the world. Matthew wrote so as to see the religious Jews come to Him; Mark to see Romans saved; Luke to the educated Gentiles, and John to the World itself. GFF exists to further the Gospel, and, to do so, we understand that we must make the full story of the Person of Jesus Christ Himself known.
The second feature about Christ’s message is that of the hope of His Return. Mark 1:14 says that Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. A significant part of that message is that “The Kingdom of God is at hand!” Jesus preached not only of the spiritual aspect of His kingdom, but of an actual physical kingdom of God which would come to earth…and through that kingdom He would rule the nations of the world on the throne of David. Isaiah 9:7 tells us that that very kingdom will be established forever.
Missionaries are sent to those who are oppressed under the Devil’s despotic rule to risk their lives that they might by all means save some. (1 Co. 9:22) Nevertheless, the day Christ ushers in His eternal kingdom on earth, His throne will be established in peace and justice throughout the whole earth breaking the chains of Satan’s rule and banishing him to be shackled in the chains of hell. (Is. 9:7) That is a message of great hope to those who presently live in slavery under Satan’s terrible reign. To make Christ known is to make the coming of his kingdom known. GFF is also committed to furthering the hope of this aspect of the message.
However, the message would not be complete without its third aspect—the offer of salvation itself. Returning to Mark 1, we read that Christ preached of man’s responsibility to “repent and believe the Gospel!” It has been said that the Gospel is only Good News to those who receive it. GFF not only survives to further the Gospel that it might be heard, but that through repentance and faith, it might be received—oh that it would be received in time! To make Christ known ultimately must mean to make his salvation known!
As we renew our vision in 2020, we pray that you will renew your compassion for the world and commitment to the message Christ heralded forth…that His Person, Return, and Salvation would be made known among all nations.
Making Christ Known!
Rodney Myers – GFF General Director