Answering the Call by Bryan Craig

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24 ESV

This passage above, by Paul, really struck me a few months ago.  He talks about “the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus.”  As I read those words, I quickly thought, “The ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus… is Influencers.”  It was crystal clear.  I remember a day when I really liked leading Journey groups and I enjoyed volunteering to help Influencers any way I could, but I thought it was just one ministry I did.  I thought of other ministries at my church and in my city, and I thought of other dreams, still yet unfulfilled.  But in 2015, after years of Sifting and struggle in many ways, I realized that nothing in my life had been more significant or fulfilling or impactful than my ministry in Influencers. I knew I was called to Influencers.

It reminds me of Paul’s account of his Damascus road experience and the words Jesus said to him.  “Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”  Acts 26:14  I’m sure you have heard of the word “goad”.  We think of it like someone is “goading” us into something they want us to do.  Well, a “goad” was actually a long stick with a sharp point used to guide oxen.  So, God is telling Saul that He was trying to guide him, but Saul was resisting and kicking against the prompts.  Similarly, I knew God was calling me toward going all-in with Influencers, but I was “kicking against the goads.”

How about you?  Has God been prompting you to do something in an obvious way, and yet, you are kicking against it?  How about this, as it relates to Influencers?  Has God prompted you to guide a Journey group?  To lead a Virtual International group?  To mentor Guides?  To support the ministry with your resources, time and talents?  If not, that’s okay.  But if yes, I can strongly encourage you to be obedient to the call. 

Since answering the call to Influencers, it has been the most amazing, satisfying, impactful season of my life.  And I firmly believe there is SO much in store for this ministry, and He may be inviting you to be a part of it.

Our recent International Summit was such a blessing as 250 men gathered, as they were called by God to be there.  Some were long-time leaders in this ministry and some were brand new to the ministry.  But ALL felt the presence of the Lord and His anointing on this ministry.  I believe ALL saw that this was a unique ministry, with unlimited opportunities and possibilities.  Now comes the part where they will decide if they are being called to join this discipleship movement and find their place of service.    

There are thousands of you out there who have been exposed to this ministry in some form or fashion and most of you are not currently active in the ministry.  Why not?  What’s holding you back?  Are you kicking against the goads? 

As we look at the prospects of exponential growth of this ministry internationally and through the Journey movie, we know we will need thousands of Journey Guides to help people who will seek an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ.  I believe we have a sleeping army of Influencers out there who can help.  I pray that they, like me, may awaken to the calling to “Go Make Disciples” through Influencers.

The Summit theme was “Answering the Call,” and we discussed the Call to Jesus, the Call to Follow Jesus, the Call to Abide, the Call to Make Disciples and lastly… the Call to Influencers.  The first 4 are Non-Negotiable if you are a disciple of Christ.  That last one is one you will have to discuss with the Lord, asking Him if this is your calling, your ministry.  We are counting on the fact that He is going to raise up those who are called to this ministry in greater numbers than ever before.

Sach Oliver, a leader in Northwest Arkansas and head of Journey Feature Films, did our final talk at the Summit, where he talked about how every person needs to figure out 3 things.

1. Your Passions in life. (What do you really care about more than anything.)
2. Your Awesomeness. (What are you uniquely good at… skills, talents, gifts.)
3. The Needs around you. (Your calling.)

Sach encouraged all of us to think about these things, making a list of our Passions, our Awesomeness and the Needs around us.  He told us to pay attention to where those 3 areas might intersect, for that just might be God’s will for your life.  It reminds me of one my favorite quotes by Fred Buechner, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

At the Summit, we talked about many needs in this ministry.  Below are some for you to consider:

• Guide a Journey Group. Don’t keep this amazing, life-transforming process to yourself.  Ask God who your Co-Guide might be and then, you two start praying about who to invite.  This can launch ANY TIME you want.  It does not have to fit neatly into a calendar year or school year.  Just step out in faithfulness and see what God will do.
  
  
• Guide a Virtual Journey Group. We have requests all the time from those in cities where we don’t have Live groups or Regions.  Many of these are International- they speak English.  We also have men coming out of Souly Business retreats who want to go through The Journey.  Once the movie comes out Virtual will even be a bigger deal.
  
  
• Help Women get into The Journey. There is a growing women’s movement, but in many cities and virtually, a shortage of women guides. 
  
  
• Help bring The Journey to inmates. The Journey has proven to work great in prisons and there is a definite hunger.  We just need men and women to bring The Journey to them.
  
  
• Help us with the Movie. We will need Movie Mobilization Ambassadors to help us get our infrastructure in place to get moviegoers plugged into Journey groups via churches and our existing regions.
  
  
• Serve your Region. There are many opportunities to come alongside your Regional Directors and Boards and Cabinets as they put on events, serve the community and keep Influencers connected.
  
  
• Pray for the ministry. We have a Global Weekly Prayer Call on Tuesdays 6:15-7:15 AM CST, a Movie Prayer Call every Thursday, 12:00-1:00 PM CST, and we have Prayer teams in every region.  Help us cover this ministry in prayer. 
  
  
• Support this ministry financially. Influencers is a 501c3 Non-Profit ministry and depends on financial gifts of our patrons to do the work we do. TO MAKE A DONATION

These are but a few examples of needs and area you may be called to help.  For more information on how to get plugged in, email [email protected].

But above all, seek the Lord, abide in Him and Live it Out at home first.  Then, ask the Lord where He needs you in His kingdom plans.  He will show you.  And as my friend Tom Seay always says, “God loves obedience.”