As I explain in the video, our goal is to use the gifts God provides to ensure the spiritual health and vitality of the Worldwide Church of God. Only a spiritually healthy church has the strength to spread the gospel, and only a church focused resolutely on the gospel can be growing in spiritual health. Disciples of Jesus are followers of Jesus, people who have made a decisive commitment to learn from him and be like him. That is why teaching and learning play such vital roles in the church. Leaders are entrusted to teach the church what Jesus taught and how it applies to us all, so that we might become increasingly more apt and faithful disciples of Jesus.
Evangelism comes naturally from a body of faithful, devoted, committed and worshiping disciples.
It is far more effective for people to come to know and see Jesus at work in his people than it is to merely hear a message from a relative stranger with no concrete demonstration of its real power to bring the joy and peace of God. That is why we continue to emphasize the need for Christ's love among us even in our difference over such things as forms of worship. I had an inspiring visit to the Paris, Sherman, Dallas and Big Sandy, Texas, churches in April, where I was able to talk about some of these things. I was delighted to find so many of our brothers and sisters who are pressing onward together. But let's remember that God's Spirit grants us patience when we draw closer to him.