Do you have a desire to become more like Jesus, but don’t know where to start?
To be transformed into Christ’s image often requires a great deal of intentionality to create the space and time needed to look deep within, be honest before God and hear His words. It is enhanced with God’s Word, a focus on the character and ways of Jesus and being accompanied by a spiritual mentor. It is a long, slow, deep, difficult and particular work of God’s grace as we posture ourselves before God with longing to know and be known by Him and to serve His purposes in the world.
United World Mission is intentional about developing our missionaries and others through a spiritual formation process. The process creates relational connectedness to Christ while learning the themes and disciplines of biblical spirituality, so you can discern, experience and respond to God’s presence, work and Word. The desired outcomes are:
- To experience friendship with Jesus (John 15:15),
- The renewal/transformation of one’s heart and inner world (Galatians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16),
- To pattern one’s entire life in the way of Christ (Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2; Philippians 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:6), and
- To have sustained partnership and fruitfulness in the missional purposes of God in the world (John 15:4-5, 8, 16; 20:21).
5 Questions to prayerfully answer daily:
- What do I most desire in relationship with God today? With others?
- How did Jesus express his love to me today?
- What do I have to be sorry for? Ask forgiveness.
- What am I grateful for? Give thanks.
- What virtue is Christ inviting me to grow in?
Our belief is that we will only be able to engage the world like Jesus did if we are like Him from the inmost part of our being. Ministry flows out of being. This is the kind of missionary we want to develop and see serving on our fields. Missionaries who “surprise by love” like Jesus.
Are you desiring to be developed, mentored and guided in some way? What kind of person do you want to become? What kind of missionary do you want to be? How will you navigate your spiritual formation when the world offers so many distractions and ministry is abundantly demanding?
UWM wants to see you grow in your relationship with Christ.
By: Chad Hollowell, Director of Field Leadership & Spiritual Formation