Category Archives: Missions

Baptizing Your Job into Service to Christ

Posted on February 11, 2019 by russellmckinney

There once was a young man named Arsene who lived in Paris, France. Arsene worked as a grocer, but he absolutely hated his job because he felt like he was meant for bigger things. In his mind, circumstances created by … Continue reading →

Posted in Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, God's Work, Humility, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Prosperity, Service, Suicide, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If In This Life Only…

Posted on January 30, 2019 by russellmckinney

Sometimes you’ll hear a preacher say, “Even if there is no heaven, the benefits you receive in this life make it worth it to follow Jesus.” I remember saying this myself a time or two in my younger days as … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible Study, Christ's Resurrection, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Eternity, Forgiveness, Heaven, Missions, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Revenge, Reward, Sacrifice, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Give God All There is of You

Posted on January 28, 2019 by russellmckinney

William Booth was one of the most famous ministers who ever lived. When he became a Christian at the age of 15, he wrote in his diary, “God shall have all there is of William Booth.” He then spent the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Christ's Death, Commitment, Complaining, Disappointment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Evangelism, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Suffering, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What Ever Happened to the Original Church of Jerusalem?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #16) The church of Jerusalem, the megachurch that was the world’s first church (Acts 8:1; 11:22), was never intended to be the planet’s only church. God’s plan was always for those believers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Persecution, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on November 16, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conviction, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How God Brought Good Out of Persecution

Posted on November 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #14) It takes quite a bit of time and energy for a mob to literally stone someone to death. Coats and outer garments must be taken off so that rocks can be gathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Contentment, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The World’s First Megachurch

Posted on October 31, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #8) A megachurch is generally defined as being any Christian congregation that has a sustained weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services. Using that as a definition, we find … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Stewardship, Sunday School, The Bible, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The People Had a Mind to Work

Posted on October 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6, N.K.J.V.) The book of Nehemiah tells the story of a Jew named Nehemiah. … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Complaining, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Money, Pastors, Sacrifice, Service, Sunday School, Work, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joy Comes in the Morning

Posted on September 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5, N.K.J.V.) English missionary James Hannington was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa. His initial missionary visit to Africa only lasted a few months because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Comfort, Courage, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Eternity, Heaven, Human Life, Inner Peace, Missions, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Reward, Salvation, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted on August 10, 2018 by russellmckinney

Colder weather and the holiday season bring an uptick in requests from various causes and ministries. That makes this time of year a good time for a word about “the social gospel.” So, I’d like to use this post to … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Return, Communication, Discernment, Doing Good, Evangelism, God's Work, Good Works, Hell, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Needs, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment