I came with a Bible in one hand and some bread or a hammer in the other, wanting to reach-out to people in love with a two-handed Gospel.  It is all about relationship.  It is all about serving others with works; but in something far beyond works alone.  It is more about becoming a true friend to people in a form of continuing, intimate relationship. 

 

Though the whole idea didn't seem like much of a plan when I left the States; it was what God asked of me...and it has worked pretty good so far.  I am not a professional minister.  I do missionary-type work, but don't particularly think of myself as a Missionary.  Instead, I am more of a discovering-disciple - a growing son - just someone who had an encounter with God (which led to an encounter with Bolivia) when he heard God speak the following scriptures to him in 2003.

 

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:

I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 

Naked, and ye clothed me:

I was sick, and ye visited me:

I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,

Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]?

or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?

 

When saw we thee a stranger,

and took [thee] in?

or naked, and clothed [thee]?

 

Or when saw we thee sick,

or in prison,

and came unto thee?

 

And the King shall answer and say unto them,

Verily I say unto you (Michael),

Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren,

ye have done [it] unto me

Matthew 25: 35-40

 

 

In those scriptures, I heard an invitation from Christ.  "Michael.  Would you embrace Me in love without condition?"  And with that invitation came the understanding that the invitation was a door to walk through.  To pass through it however to the One inviting me to know Him more...I would have to go to Bolivia.

 

That invitation became a clearly defined assignment in my heart: 

I was to go to Bolivia and embrace in every way "the least of these." 

And in doing that,

I would literally embrace Jesus Himself

 

Strangely, it almost feels as though it was a choice made for me.  I did indeed have to choose to come, but it was more like I was returning to a place I was supposed to be, instead of going to a place I had never been before.

 

I have now been here for seven years and God has opened multiple opportunities to simply love people.  Relational evangelism has saved spiritual lives.  Prayer has saved physical bodies.  I have discipled others.  And I have been discipled myself.  I have walked down paths I never expected to find myself upon.  And I have found that the importance in God's eyes of one soul, exceeds the importance of a myriad of other things we occupy our days and time loving & doing. 

 

I have worked with traditional churches, crossing nearly every denominational barrier.  I have worked with cell churches; and have learned much from them.  I have discovered House Churches; and am excited about them.  And perhaps above all, I have awakened to the fact that Jesus called us to make disciples to be true Doers of the Word - Not in 'word only' but in the literal doing of the actual works of Jesus, all by His Spirit of Grace.

 

I am fully persuaded that my present paths have been chosen for me by my Heavenly Father.  As I walk them out; I bear no title except laborer, brother or friend.  I seek no glory; only the opportunity to effectively love others and lift them up in that love.  My life, my person, and my work are acceptable to some; unacceptable to many; and many times quite mis-understood. 

 

To many people (both here and at home); my present attempt to more literally embrace Christ is nothing less than some kind of childish-foolishness.  My personal way of acting-out my faith is an undefinable enigma to them.  It doesn't fit their world-view language-of-life.  It doesn't fit their methodological paradigms.  It can't be squeezed into a religiously-definable box.  And in passive/agressive ways, people often (with good intention) demand that I explain myself; my methodologies; and by what authority I do what I do.  

 

I have found myself a complete failure at doing that.  Thus, I have stopped trying to explain myself to others for some time.  I have no 'methodology' other than to try and walk with my Savior by grace, the best I can in His perfect love; loving others, one day at the time.

 

My desire is child-like in simplicity.  There is eternal fruit in my life.  So I do not feel any need for anything more sofisticated than seeking to simply love people on the level they are found.  

 

I want to follow Christ in a very definite reality; not so much to serve Him (in the common sense of that word) but rather in a way in which I am able to embrace and touch Him in all I do. 

 

To me, those scriptures in Matthew 25 became a key to the door of Jesus' own heart.  As long as I continue to be a "Doer" of what those scriptures instruct, I find that I experience an overflowing abundance of intimate relationship with Him among others.  

 

This is life and fullness of joy to me.  It is the fullness of relationship that I require.  In "doing" what I do, I don't claim or want any label except His Name, as I attempt to walk in His love and truth.  As best as I am able, I remain at peace with all men. 

 

I require no authorship or ownership of any work.  I can take no credit for what only His grace can accomplish.  My reward is His smile.  And I will work with anyone, in any way, in any place, under any condition; which serves His redeeming purpose and gives Him joy.  

 

I hope this helps you better understand what Vertical Life Missions is really all about.  It's about love.  It's about grace.  It's about relationship with all kinds of people in His Church where love truly goes beyond the boundries of words alone.

 

And just so you know...  You're invited to the journey.