Everyone loves a good story. That’s what caused ancient cultures to hand stories down, generation after generation; it’s why last year, Americans spent 38 billion dollars at the movie theater; it’s the reason parents tell their kids tales of valor and romance as they tuck them in at night. We’re shaped and molded by stories because God is an Author, telling the best story ever told, and we are created in His image to be characters in His story. Sadly though, we rejected God and decided we wanted nothing to do with His story. But it doesn’t end there…
 

God is not the only Author of the story, He also enters into the story as the main character. At a time when all seemed to be lost and people were without hope, Jesus burst onto the scene and saved His people from their sin and death. He does this by living the life we should have lived, dying the death we deserved to die, and resurrecting victoriously so that we can know salvation.
 

When Jesus entered into the story He redeemed us, made us into a family, and gave us a mission so that we can again play a role in the drama of redemption. That role is being a community of missionaries sent to make disciples of all peoples across the entire earth. The method He gave us to play our role is that of planting churches that preach the gospel and teach people how to follow Jesus. This is what the church has done since its beginning. It started in Jerusalem and then the movement spread into the surrounding regions, and to the ends of the earth, planting churches and making disciples. 
 

Many have rejected or attempted to change this story, but tragically many have also never heard this story. They’re left hurting and searching for meaning outside of God’s story. We must go to them and tell them the good news of the work of Jesus on their behalf. We must join God in His mission and declare that there is a place for the lost, broken, and hurting in His story. The story continues in Thailand.