We have learned a great deal and formed some very key relationships in our first semester at Radius. Some of these revolve around personal growth, local church, and next steps.
Personal growth
At one point during the semester, I teamed up with one of the smartest language learners on campus. Now, I'm not too bad myself but this man is out of this world. And when we sat down for a language session together, I had no idea how prideful my heart had grown. He was immediately best friends with my local friend, and he knew so much more than I did. And I could feel the bitterness welling up in my heart. I realized what was happening and repented to the Lord for the pride in my heart and to my friend for my envy. This is just one example of how this program has been helping me notice what's in my heart, trace that outward behavior by taking the time to question yourself, and uproot the idols that my heart was worshipping rather than God. It’s not like we weren’t doing that before. It’s that now we have a much clearer path of HOW to do that because of this training, and we have a much deeper commitment to do that our whole lives long. That’s going to help us as Christians and as church planters, especially in terms of actually finishing the job.
Local Church
Something else that has really sunk into our hearts is the truth that this task is to be completed by Christ’s bride, the church. The program has served to give us a deeper love for our church and a greater conviction that the ultimate goal we want to keep in focus is a healthy church among an unreached language group. We are sent by a healthy church, and we are not finished until there is a healthy church on the other side.
Next Steps
Next semester for us is all about narrowing and sharpening. We’re not being made worthy of the task; we’re being made effective for it. The whole training is meant to make us EFFECTIVE in the task of planting a healthy church among an unreached language group for God's glory. And by God’s grace that’s exactly what we’ll do.
