The New World Sector Leaders?

“Whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

The weekend of January 23-25, 2009 was historic – the first official gathering of the Central Leadership of the SoldOut Discipling Movement! Though more couples will be added in the future, these Spirit-filled men and women of faith are greatly beloved for their tireless service for the Lord. Included in this decision-making group for the new movement are: Chris and Theresa Broom of Chicago, DJ and Kacie Comisford of New York City, Andrew and Patrique Smellie of Washington DC, Matt and Helen Sullivan of Santiago, Chile, as well as Nick and Denise Bordieri and Tony and Therese Untalan – our shepherds in LA – and Elena and me. One disciple reminiscing about the “glory days” of the thousands being baptized in the Boston Movement (International Churches of Christ) asked, “Are these the new World Sector Leaders?” I responded, “In time, they and others will receive this charge.”

God moves through men and women, who are surrendered to His will. The Spirit brings these people together producing a movement. In each great movement in the Bible, there was always “God’s man” and the chosen few around him that formed “the leadership” through which God led that movement. Moses was aided by Aaron, Miriam and the 12 tribal leaders, most notably –Joshua. (Exodus 12:4;13:3-15) This 40 year long movement delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, sustained them in the desert, and brought them to the borders of the Promised Land! The next movement was guided by Joshua, the 12 tribal leaders and the elders. (Judges 2:7) God said to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” This movement of God conquered the Promised Land. Once again, God’s movement was led by God’s man and a trusted few.

After the golden age of David and Solomon, ungodly leadership and idol worship adopted from surrounding nations angered the Lord and again divided Israel from Judah. God sent His people “Israel” into exile in Assyria. A century later He exiled “Judah” to Babylon. It was in Babylon that God moved the hearts of the remnant, those Jews who dreamed to return to Israel “to rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:5) The leaders of this “restoration movement” were Zerubbabel and Jeshua, aided by Ezra. They returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. However, as their zeal waned, God moved in Nehemiah’s heart to reinvigorate the movement to restore Jerusalem’s glory by rebuilding her walls. (Nehemiah 2:11)
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