From the Pastor's Desk

Seeking Leaders and Church Planters

by Pastor Peter Kim

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)

During a time when Israel was facing judgment, Isaiah was called to be a herald of God's truth. The question was asked, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" For many of us, this call, this task may seem daunting. And perhaps, for Isaiah, the call carried just as much weight. In verse 5, he acknowledges his impending doom and admits his own sinfulness. How, then, was Isaiah able to respond with the words, "Here am I! Send me"? It was only through the work of God, who forgave Isaiah and enabled him to do the work that God set out for him to do. Verse 7 says, "Behold…your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

Today, our world is facing crisis after crisis, and there is a need for God's people to step up and be willing to be used by the Lord. Some of us may feel an impulse to speak up or feel that something must be done. Some of us may feel troubled and wonder what the Lord would have us do during this period of time in world history. However, many of us see the troubles but feel the task is too daunting. We may feel timid and feel that such work is for someone else, not us. 

The question still goes out, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" The Lord is calling His people to be declarers of His truth (Acts 1:8), to reach out to the world, and to bring God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33), goodness, and justice to the world; to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8); to visit orphans and widows (James 1:27). Simply put, Jesus is calling all of us who identify as His followers to be disciple makers (Matthew 28:18-20) and to declare hope in Jesus Christ.

But how can we respond as Isaiah did, especially when we feel so inadequate? Christian! All of you who call yourselves children of God! Listen carefully--God has forgiven us our shortcomings and our failures through our Lord Jesus Christ, just as God forgave Isaiah. In addition, God gives us His Holy Spirit to enable us to do His work. He has said in Isaiah 44, "Keep these matters in mind, [Jacob], for you Isra'el, are my servant. I formed you, you are my own servant; Isra'el, don't forget me. Like a thick cloud, I wipe away your offenses; like a cloud, your sins. Come back to me, for I have redeemed you…I am [the LORD] who makes all things...I confirm my servants' prophecies and make my messengers' plans succeed" (Isaiah 44:21-22, 24b, 26a, CJB).

You see, we don't have to be afraid of whether we are capable or not, or whether we can succeed or not, because the Lord has forgiven us. And He will make his messengers' plans succeed. We just need to trust in Jesus and respond like Isaiah, saying, "Here am I! Send me."

This call may be for every believer, but the principle also applies to our local church context. Friendship Presbyterian recently went through the process of looking for possible leaders who will serve as deacons and elders. We are also looking for church planters who are willing to plant English or Mandarin speaking churches here in Taipei. Please pray that the Lord would bring the right people to be the next generation of leaders at FPC or church planters in Taipei for the glory of God.

And who knows? As you pray, perhaps the Lord will call you asking, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" How will you respond?