Our vision is simple: for many more people to become fully committed disciples of Jesus, and in turn impact many others.
This chain reaction was stated by Jesus in his last words recorded in the book of Matthew: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to do everything I have commanded you.”
If you consider yourself non-christian–whether following another faith or nonreligious altogether, we invite you to choose to follow the high standard that Jesus taught and exemplified.
If this sounds like a ploy to convert people to Christianity, perhaps it is in a way. As Christians we’re naturally biased. But we have no interest in convincing anyone based on our own opinions, and we certainly wish to respect the traditions and beliefs of others. We believe Jesus offers what no other does, but it’s best for people to discover that for themselves. So as a starting place we reading the first four books of the New Testament and consider what it would be like to actually live like that. If you’re short of time, you could just read Matthew chapters 5 to 7.
If you consider yourself Christian, whether affiliated with a church, denomination or otherwise, we invite you to compare your personal faith and life to that of Jesus, and discover the joy of living more in line with his example.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Matthew 25:35-36
When was the last time you did one of these things? These and other statements of Jesus are challenging. Did he really mean for us to do them?If either you never have or it’s been a long time, you probably have good reason. Who for instance wants to risk bringing a stranger into one’s home nowadays? How may we understand and apply standards such as these to our own contexts?
Our experience has been that yes, following Jesus’ teaching involves risk and sacrifice, but is more than worth it. But it’s extra difficult when we have to do alone. Our vision is for a growing movement of people helping each other do this by sharing stories of both victory and hardship in doing so.
Following Jesus completely is so countercultural that you may feel alone, and maybe discouraged. Your own family may not understand and oppose you. Or perhaps you’re seeking wisdom for a possible life change, such as a career move or relocation, and you’re seeking wisdom. You may be doing difficult work, helping people in need, and find yourself wondering if it’s worth it. You may have sacrificed for others only to have them turn against you. Or you may be struggling with health issues, physical and/or emotional, that stop you from doing what you want to do in following Jesus. We want to help.
Social Change Without Coercion
There were horrible evils in the first-century Roman Empire, of which Jesus said nothing. When pressed to take sides against the Romans he refused. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” “My kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus’ entire premise is quite simple: social change begins with the heart. Changed people will change societies.
We started reaching bar girls in Thailand with this vision, that some would indeed come to follow Jesus and become change agents for the nation. In some ways it’s an absurd vision, completely unrealistic. How can the few that we might reach have any kind of impact? But in the history of the Bible we see numerous examples of single individuals becoming messengers that did in fact bring major change, and followers of Jesus have done so since, from ancient names like Saint Nicholas or Saint Patrick to more recent ones such as Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Martin Luther King.
But while we are not intentionally focused elsewhere, our interest in encouraging Jesus-following change agents is not limited to Thailand. We would love to inspire, equip and encourage anyone who desires to see the grace and truth of Jesus shine anywhere people are being hurt by others. If you have a burden or interest in something, we would love to see if we might be of help.