Skin in the Game

Supporting missionaries has been a vital ministry of the congregation of Meadowview Reformed Presbyterian Church much longer than my wife and I have been members (21+ years), and until I typed that number, I hadn’t realized how fast those years have flown by. Before coming to Meadowview, I had not thought much about missions and the work of missionaries, but through the people of Meadowview and their love to provide for missionaries, I have grown to share that love.

Through the people of Meadowview and their love to provide for missionaries, I have grown to share that love.Tweet it

Meadowview hosts an annual Mission’s Conference each March, and it is a great weekend of hearing from missionaries who come to share with the congregation what God is doing in their lives and through their ministries. Throughout the years we have had congregants leave to be missionaries around the world in places like Japan, Mozambique, Germany, and other countries, and we love to hear their first-hand reports when they return back to Lexington on home assignments.

However, even with a growing love for missions through Meadowview, I cannot honestly say that I would have listed myself as a missions-oriented believer. I hadn’t really bought into a particular mission or ministry, so it was easy for me to rest on my laurels and occasionally pray for missionaries. I had no “skin” in the game as they say. So, what did God do? God got me involved with the Malawi Reformation Network (MRN).

However, even with a growing love for missions through Meadowview, I cannot honestly say that I would have listed myself as a missions-oriented believer.Tweet it

When Pastor Jason Helopoulos called and asked me to consider joining the MRN Board and help plant churches throughout Malawi, a country that I had never heard of before, I prayed about the request, I went to the MRN website and investigated the ministry, I read bios for the leaders, I read their blogs, and then I watched a video where Confex Makhalira explained his vision for the work in Malawi, his home country, a country he will move back to in June with his wife and 2 little girls.

The more I listened to Confex, the more I got excited about his ministry. God gave me a desire to join the leadership team and use my spiritual gifts. Now that is really exciting. Now I have “skin” in the game, a responsibility to “act”, and not just occasionally pray for a missionary. What is God going to do through MRN? How can He use me? How can God use you in Malawi? Visit the website, read the blogs, watch the videos, and get excited!

Are you in or around Lexington, NC? Don’t miss our upcoming event, a special screening of The American Gospel with special guest and founder of MRN, Confex Makhalira on April 27^th.

Richard Jones
MRN Board Member

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