Reaching The One
Dear Friends:
In the parable of the “Wandering Sheep,” Jesus taught us the important lesson that everyone is valuable. “`What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish’” (Matthe 12:10-14).
We must remember the importance of saving the one! Missiologists for decades have emphasized the need to reach people groups, Unreached People groups, and Never Reached People Groups. This is vitally important! Yet, we must remember that Jesus values the individual! “Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
It is due to your faithful prayer and financial support that Network211 can engage the one, the individual, with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Individuals from around the globe write us each day and share the intimate burden of their hearts. As we share Jesus, the Holy Spirit moves and breaks through their facades to bring the Light of Love into the darkest of hearts.
Here are some examples of comments from individuals who received the Gospel presentation from Network211 and then wrote to us. You will see that they are on all different points of the spiritual journey spectrum. Yet, we can be there to meet them at their point of need and bring Jesus into the conversation.
- A man from the Congo Republic made a recommitment and wrote, “How do I truly walk with God? What must I do to completely resist the desires of the flesh in order to grow spiritually?”
- A man from Zimbabwe made a “Salvation” response and wrote, “I smoke weed and I want to quit but it’s not easy for me and follow God’s grace and his word.”
- A woman from Ethiopia sent a prayer request and wrote, “Hello there my name is (name withheld) and I live in Ethiopia. I as Muslim for now I believe Jesus my parent doesn’t need me because I love Jesus. I’m very stressed I need your help soon”
- A woman in Lebanon asked a question and wrote, “My husband and I keep triggering ourselves. This make me lots of pain.”
- A woman from Malaysia made a “Salvation” response and wrote, “If I am therians. Would anyone understand me?” This was a new comment for me. I had to search for the definition of “therian.” Jesus can meet her wherever she is and transform her life.
- A man in Uganda made a “Salvation” response and wrote, “How will I walk with you or what should I do search that we can walk together in Jesus way?”
Consider with me a few observations from these comments.
- They searched the Internet for help, found our site, and viewed our content. Something stirred their hearts to respond! I believe that is the Holy Spirit!
- They do not know us or anything about us! Yet, they seek any answer that will bring them hope or relief.
- Jesus knows them even before they articulate their problems. He knows everything about them, was moved to compassion on their behalf, and set in motion people like us to be positioned to respond with Truth. Jesus truly cares about the individual; the one!
Our 1-2-1 Connector response teams relied to each one with Scriptures, prayers, and more content online. Also, as our Connectors interact, they do their best to connect each individual to a local church; “Searches to Churches!”
Personal ministry is the heartbeat of Network211. We present it this way: We ministry to individuals on a global scale. To date, over 64.8 million Gospel presentations were made to individuals in the nations of the world. Of this group, over 4.2 million made an evangelism response and over 607,000 then wrote to us to begin a discipleship connection. All is to the glory of God!
Back in the day, youth groups sang “It only takes a spark to set a fire going. And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it. You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.”
It is our prayer that as we reach the one, that spark will set a fire going to reach surrounding family member, friends, workplace, city, and nation.
Once again, I want to say thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support. Your investment in reaching the Lost, one by one, is seeing lives transformed for eternity.
Blessings,
Mark
Dr. Mark Flattery
Network211 President
