I do a lot of traveling. Because of this, I guess you can say that I've developed a "destination" mentality. It's not that I don't enjoy the traveling itself, but I sure prefer to simply get to where I'm going.

The other day, while returning home from my sister's house where I had spent Christmas, I asked a friend of mine in the back seat to check the map. I wanted to make sure that we hadn't missed any turns, and also to check our progress. Well, his report revealed that we were right on course, and right on time.

"Perfect", came my reply, and I simply continued to drive.

Almost immediately a thought came to my mind: "What do you mean, ‘perfect'? You aren't home yet!" "True", was my inward response, "but we are right where we need to be right now".

With this thought, my mind instantly changed lanes (pardon the pun!), and I began to think in terms of our spiritual journey with the Lord.

I don't know of any true Christian who doesn't have a certain "destination consciousness", a desire to be "closer" to God, to be more holy. Indeed, a desire to be "home" with the Lord. In fact, I believe that an awareness of our sin and of the fact that we have a long way to go is one of the signs that accompany genuine salvation. But, too often, we spend our time comparing our current condition with what we think we ought to be. As a consequence, we become discouraged, frustrated, or (perish the thought!) perhaps even proud of our progress.

Driving along I-81 that day, I started thinking in a different way. God has already promised us that He is going to make us like His Son (Romans 8:29). In other words, our sanctification is assured. We also know that this process will only be completed when we enter into glory (I John 3:2).

For now, however, we're still on the journey. We aren't "home" yet. The key though is to remember that God also knows this. In fact, He has plotted the route for us to take, and is directing our lives precisely to accomplish His ultimate will for us, complete Christ-likeness.

In other words, from God's perspective, we are "perfect" right where we are. I'm not saying that we are where we should be and will be in the end. And I'm not saying that our performance is perfect. However, in line with God's promises, I believe we can confidently say that we are right where we need to be right now. After all, God, being God, is always on course, and always on time.

(Please understand that I am addressing those who have a fundamental drive to know, love, and serve the Lord. If that does not describe you, then you are, in fact, off course, and are in need of repentance).

What should be our response to this thought? First, concerning ourselves, we need to simply rest. Not in ourselves, and certainly not by becoming lax in our Christian walk. However, we need to recognize that though we aren't where we should be (yet), God is still at work. For now, He has us right where He wants us. Even our mistakes, though not caused by God, are used by Him to further His purposes.

We also need to be very charitable towards each other. We are warned very sternly about this in Scripture (cf. II Corinthians 10:12). God has very individualized routes for each of us to follow. Progress for some may be very direct; for others, it might include a variety of turns, twists, and detours. But it is not our place to judge. Ours is simply to encourage each other to keep going. If we see a brother or sister erring, we should pray for them first, and then gently restore them as God leads us to, remembering that we all are on a journey (Galatians 6:1). None of us are "home" yet.

Well, I did finally arrive home safely that day. Those who belong to the Lord will always arrive "home" safely, and right on time.

In His Service,

Stephen Tecklenberg
President / Executive Director

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Ministry Report

In late October, we were privileged to sponsor a visit from Dr. C.V. Mathew, the Principal of Jubilee Memorial Bible College in southern India. Dr. Mathew delivered two messages at Fellowship Chapel in Jarrettsville, MD, relating to us the deep needs of his homeland, as well as the marvelous ways in which God is working. His message on the uniqueness of Christ, compared to all other gods, was especially touching to all present.

Mission To India - On October 30, Steve traveled again to southern India for another series of classes at Jubilee Memorial Bible College.

He began his journey with a layover in London, where he was able to meet and fellowship with some believers who warmly welcomed him into their home(s). What a blessing it is to experience such fellowship within the body of Christ, even when meeting for the very first time.

The next day he traveled on to Bombay, where he was received by one of the staff members of JMBC who was there for a conference. For two days they visited various sites in the city, and then attended the church conference one evening and participated in another church service the following morning.

Steve then moved on to JMBC where he stayed for the next three weeks. As always, it was such a blessing to co-minister with the community there. The students showed a special keenness during the classes, and also came to Steve's apartment many times with extra questions, or just to fellowship.

Steve was asked to teach a course on Biblical Archaeology. Though a student of the general field of apologetics, he had not spent much time in that specialty. It was therefore a unique challenge, but also a great blessing, as he conducted his research and designed the course.

The overall thrust was not so much the delivery of what Steve calls "goodies", that is, the simple recitation of exciting facts and figures, names and dates. Though they naturally played a role, the overall thrust was to establish the principle that all men everywhere have a choice concerning who will be the object of their faith. We can either trust the Word of God to be infallible, or we can base our lives on the words of men. It was with that foundational element that the rest of the course was built.

There were also many opportunities to minister outside the campus at JMBC, including several churches, a prayer meeting, and a youth "Seeker's Conference" that was held in a nearby village. In each of these, it was a blessing to see how brightly the light shines when surrounded by such thick darkness. It was also a stimulus to pray for that land which is in such spiritual bondage.

As the Lord wills, we look forward to returning to India next fall. Please be in prayer with us as we prepare. Pray also for the community at JMBC, that they would stand strong, and be well equipped to meet their unique ministry challenges.