Some would think that "Listo Para Cristo" is a statement of death. Like you are ready to to die or you are ready for Christ's return. After this past week, I would have to say it means to be ready to experience Christ at any given moment.
Last week was our 51st Missions Conference at Bethany Bible Church. We had 2 missionaries, Pastor Chuy Leon and his wife, Letti and Dr Jackson, president of Evangelical Baptist Missions. Since the Leons and the missionaries are from Mexico and Peru, our theme was South of the Border. Fitting, right?
Anyways, our original phrase was "esta preparardo para Cristo?" Then Pastor Chuy says,"What is this? Easier to say "listo para Cristo"" He's right. It is easier. It makes more sense now, too.
Sunday, Tim and his wife, BarbaraLee, spoke about mentoring. Finding that person that gets it and being their guide. Monday, at prayer group, both Tim and the Leons stressed what sets us apart from all the other religions is our love. I believe Paul also said that "the greatest of these is love". If we just love on people, ask nothing in return, they will see Christ in us. Don't need seminary for that!
Tuesday night with another prayer group, we had Steve Frerichs from Peru. This is when stuff gets really cool. Steve was a last minute add on. He called up one day and said that he was going to be in town and was wondering if he could come by and share whats been happening in Peru. Steves dad was a long time friend of Bethany and died recently. Although we don't support him monetarily, we let him come in now and again. This time, it just so happens to be our conference. He didn't know. So, we said why not. Pastor wasn't to hip to it and almost didn't go because he wasn't feeling good. But, evening came and felt a little better and a little obligated. So he went.
Steve shared whats going on with Peru and told us he's started working with their professional soccer team. A sports ministry. Then he shared how there are all these little towns in the hills with at least one guy in each town that is sharing and teaching the word. If they could, for one weekend a month, meet with those guys, all at once and mentor them. They could then go back and be more effective. How cool is that? Soccer guys in the city. Bible school in the mountains.
Then Steve gave a great talk out of Matthew. Keeping our eyes open and looking down for those people that need to lifted up. So awesome. Well, now Pastor is all excited! He wants more of Steve. Turns out, Steve has nothing else planned for the rest of the week. He comes Wednesday for AWANA and translates for the Leons. Perfect! Dr Jackson is to come Thursday for the teenagers but has an engagement in Tacoma all day and then all day Friday. Pastor calls him and says,"Look, we have you Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Stay in Tacoma, relax, we'll see you Friday night." So, we bring in Steve for the teens. Another excellent talk on "what are your idols?" Things they never thought of before. Are you getting it now? "Listo Para Cristo"
Enter Dr Jackson to tie it all together. He told us, through life, God is always with us. But, there are times that we can say that He really revealed Himself. Those are the times that we need to(here it is) be ready for Christ. Wow. At some point, often many times, God is going to tap you on the shoulder and say,"This is it" and we need to be ready! Ready to mentor. Ready to love. Ready to teach. Ready to serve. Ready to live. Ready to die for Christ.
Listo para Cristo?
