Spirit-led people

4/01/2023 5:10:31 PM | Ben, Bob and Joy

One of our ministry guiding statements is: How? Through Spirit-led people and mission partners, humbly contextualising the good news of Jesus in every place.

Here, three team members share what it means for them to live as ‘Spirit-led people’.

Ben | Silk Road Area
Sometimes being led by the Holy Spirit is easy. Prayers are obviously answered. A call is clearly discerned. This was the case in how my family ended up in the Silk Road Area.

Sometimes though it is really hard! This has been my experience recently. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was leading my family to change location from the village we had lived in for five years to the city. It was clear that doors were opening for my wife, Petra, to be involved in a ministry she has a heart for. But what about me?

In this season, I’m not sure what I’m meant to be doing. However, I am confident that God has a plan for my family, myself included! I know that the Holy Spirit has led us to this place and so I’m waiting; anxiously sometimes, prayerfully often, and trusting that in His time, I will know what ministry to step into next.

Bob | Brisbane
I have literally heard God’s voice twice: both times as a teenager making important decisions which would significantly alter the direction of my life. God’s words were simple, clear and reassuring, “Just trust me”.

God’s Spirit has not always led in such dramatic ways, but His direction has been just as clear. When my wife, Leanne, and I committed our lives to Christian vocation, Psalm 37 became a firm anchor. We have sought to be faithful to God’s word (v 3-4) and committed our lives to Him in prayer (v 5). We found that having peace about the future has directed and influenced our decisions and confirmed His leading (v 23).

Ways have opened before us to serve God in diverse places and among very special people (v 7). At times life has not always been easy (v 24), but we have learned about Jesus (v 30-31), experienced great friendships, witnessed wonderful miracles, and seen God move in people’s lives across the world (v 34).

Joy | South East Asia
Part of our journey of call came through a Global Exposure trip. Pat and I saw the intercultural team being ordinary people living ordinary lives, yet intentionally for Him.

We recognise our need to ask for God’s Spirit’s leading to live intentionally everyday here. To be open, to see the people and places He is at work and respond to how He is inviting us to partner with Him. Moving to South East Asia with a different language and culture has been humbling, and we are grateful for the way His Spirit prepares and leads us in our interactions.

As we step out and engage with local friends, we are humbled by the sense that we do not yet have the words to fully express ourselves in a meaningful way. So, in our conversations and everyday interactions, we seek His leading and know that He is working in His way.

There are many distractions. Many of them that are good, yet compete for our attention and can take us in directions God isn’t leading. We set aside time each morning to spend with Him and seek His guidance for the day.
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