Europe Update 1 - Magnify The LORD

O magnify the LORD with me!

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What does it look like to magnify the LORD? 

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This is a question that we began asking as a leadership team during Summer Staff week, when our college aged staff arrived. Mary, when she is told her baby boy will be the Messiah, erupts in praise that echoes the Psalmist in the 34th Psalm, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:26,27)

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We see here a desire for both the soul and the spirit, two parts of our three part nature. Our souls will magnify (enlarge, bring close) that which they are pointed towards and close to, in Mary’s case, the Lord her God. Our spirit can then rejoice that God is our Savior. In choosing this verse as our team verse this summer, we have rallied around the to magnify the LORD both individually and collectively. (Ps 34:3) As a team we recited this verse each morning at Training Camp and it has been our motivator going into our first week of street ministry in Tirana, Albania.

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In choosing to “opt in” to the mission of God on the earth, which is that all will hear the name of Jesus and of his love and amazing grace, we are intentionally seeking to draw close to God that we may be a light for Jesus that draws others to him. It is living with open hands in surrender to the King of Kings knowing that he is working in AND through us as we surrender to him. This choosing is important because sharing our faith is difficult enough in comfortable circumstances, let alone when one is far from home and its comforts, in a foreign land with language barriers, different foods, and long travel days to boot. But in surrendering to what God wants to do, choosing to make him known and taking joy in his rescue, our students have shown amazing resolve to press on in what truly matters: knowing God and making him known. They are doing a fantastic job! In our first week we have had multiple gospel conversations with people on the street and hosted an “America Night” in Albania on the Fourth of July; an encouragement to both us and our Albanian brothers and sisters in Christ.

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We have an amazing team of students and staff and we can’t wait to see all God does in and through their submission to Him in both soul and spirit. Pray with us for endurance, boldness, and divine opportunities. “For the King, and his Kingdom!”

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