“…go and make disciples of all the nations…and look, I am with you always, even to the end…” In this statement, every believer, every church, every Christian ministry has its foundational mandate…GO and MAKE disciples…passionate followers of Jesus, who love Him above all else and live redemptively in their world to make Him known.  

In and from these words comes the guiding mission of Prepare International, “To advance the Kingdom of God by multiplying leaders and laborers who disciple their nation.” When our family began this work, we never dreamed we would be training 1000s yearly in over 20 nations while touching at least many other countries yearly. In the last few weeks, PI has opened new training initiatives in Poland, Gambia, South Africa, Czech Republic, Guatemala, and the USA. The reports of the power of His Kingdom message touching hearts, opening eyes and minds while His Presence touches people’s hearts, minds and bodies are flooding in. We would have never dreamed. It is beyond all of us, and today I declare to you that our Lord Jesus is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine!

On my mind of late has been the power of the Cross in opening the door for our forgiveness, redemption and for His transformative Kingdom to enter our world bringing the total answer to Mankind’s total need. Through His Cross, the Lord Jesus purchased all the Father had for us, opened heaven over us, and defeated the Enemy of our souls so we could win. BUT that which was purchased and won through HIS cross, must be brought down and made available through each one of us carrying our own cross!  Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) His cross made all available, your and my cross make all things practical and touchable for the world around us.  

Carrying our cross speaks of living redemptively in our world in such a way and with such a passion that we embrace sacrifice and at times hardship for His and His Kingdom’s sake. As I look around me, it seems I see a Christian faith that has at its core only His cross and not each of ours. I am asking our Lord Jesus to put afresh within me a heart that so loves Him and His world, that carrying my cross and embracing a life of sacrificial living and giving would be my great joy unto Him. I encourage you, our Friends and Partners, come to Jesus anew with me and let us ask Him each for our cross that the world may know, that the world may see, and that the world might bow before the King of Love!