Is Discipleship Worth the Wait?

It was night, my first night ever in Houston. After a long trip from Minneapolis, we were very tired. I was leading a team of 10 Steiger missionaries. We went for a prayer walk before going to bed - at least that was the initial idea.

I quickly researched iconic secular areas in the city and found out that Montrose was the perfect neighborhood for us. Two by two we spread around the streets of Montrose and prayed. As I was walking and praying, I passed by a big house. There was electronic music playing and a bar. It looked like people were preparing for a party. I entered and talked to a guy who turned out to be the organizer of the event.

“You are in the right place! Our party will be awesome, with 3 of the coolest DJs in Houston!”

I gathered my team again, told them about the party and, despite our tiredness, we all felt like we should go to it to share the love of Jesus with people! At that point we had no idea how powerful that night would be.

I could write pages and pages of testimonies only from that party! The whole team was so intentional and full of the Spirit! We talked about Jesus and prayed for many people that night! God shined His bright light in a dark club and people responded!

Three years later, Allison and I went to Houston where our friends Carolina and Jozef are now working to continue what started on that first night, years before.

They organized a picnic, inviting non believer friends with whom they are in “discipleship relationship.” Rachel, who we met 3 years before at that party in Houston, was one of them.

It was so cool to see how intentional Carolina was, asking her good questions and having spiritual conversations.

“I’m ready to learn to read the bible and pray,” Rachel said at our picnic table. Carolina, who was talking to her, told me later that she had to contain herself - inside, she was burning with joy! Finally, one step further! God was speaking to Rachel!

It always amazes me to see the faithfulness of these missionaries, walking alongside people like this girl on their journey! Ups and downs, questions, doubts, confusion. People like Rachel need someone who will love them, tell them the truth, and patiently wait on the Lord to do what only He can do.

In a post-christian context, the journey from a secular worldview to Christ is, in general, longer. Sure, God can do anything. But regardless of if He will do it in 5 minutes or in 5 years, I want to be there when He does it!

Faithfulness is part of this missionary work so - BRING IT ON! God is at work, I believe that many people, just like Rachel, will respond to Him, and that He will complete the work in their lives!

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

- Filipe Machado, North America and Asia Pacific Regional Director