Fall STAR 2025

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It’s Not All About Sitting at the Head Table: A Call to Servant Leadership In a world that equates success with spotlight, Jesus offers a radically different vision: greatness through servanthood.

This message, powerfully illustrated in a wedding reception scene where a guest mistakenly sits at the head table, speaks to the heart of a cultural and spiritual tension—our desire for recognition without sacrifice.

The Head Table Illusion Tim R. Barker Everyone longs for influence, but few Network Superintendent want the cost. Like the guest who slid into the head seat uninvited, we often crave the perks of leadership without the pain. But Jesus confronts this desire head-on: “Can you drink the cup I’m about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). In God’s Kingdom, elevation comes not by climbing, but by kneeling.

When Leadership Hurts Real leadership bleeds. It weeps through betrayal, battles burnout, and walks with a limp. But even in pain, servant leaders keep the towel in hand. They don’t give up—they press in. Because Jesus washed feet knowing He’d be betrayed. So must we.

The Kingdom Clash The world says, build your brand, seek status, protect your image. Jesus says, deny yourself, serve others, take the lowest seat. Two kingdoms.

Two completely opposing definitions of greatness. In Jesus’ economy, a towel is more powerful than a title.

Redefining Greatness in the Church Revival won’t come through celebrity culture in the Church. It will come through hidden servants with towels on their arms and love in their hands. Stack the chairs. Clean the floors. Weep with the hurting. Wash the feet.

The Weight of the Seat Leadership isn’t just visibility—it’s responsibility. Moses, David, Paul, and even Jesus bore the crushing weight of their call. Ministry means leading while bleeding, staying faithful when misunderstood, and serving when no one claps. If you want the seat, be ready for the scars.

From Applause to Assignment If applause is your fuel, you’ll burn out. But if obedience is your anchor, you’ll never run dry. Don’t chase claps—chase Christ. Jesus didn’t die for fans. He died for followers. And He calls leaders not to be seen, but to serve.

The Towel Test In John 13, Jesus washed the feet of the very men who would betray, deny, and desert Him. Leadership, He showed, isn’t about authority— it’s about humility. It’s about doing the dirty work with a clean heart. No cameras. No crowds. Just a basin, a towel, and a love that stoops low.

Final Prayer: “Jesus, strip me of ego. Deliver me from applause. Give me a towel, not a title. Let me love like You—low, faithful, unseen. Make me dangerous not because I’m known, but because I’m surrendered. I choose the towel.”

Marks of a True Servant-Leader Kingdom leaders are marked by three things: Humility over hype – Less performance, more prayer.

People over position – Less status, more sacrifice.

Faithfulness over fame – Less visibility, more consistency.

Glory in the Shadows Obscurity is not rejection—it’s refinement. God often hides those He’s preparing. The unseen prayers, the unnoticed sacrifices, the midnight tears—these build eternal weight. Faithfulness in the shadows shakes heaven more than fame ever could.

The Basin and the Blood The towel and the cross are inseparable. Jesus went from washing feet to pouring out His blood. Kingdom service costs something— sometimes everything. But this is the pattern of Christ: first the basin, then the thorns.

Because in God’s Kingdom, the greatest among you… is the one with the towel.

You don’t need a title to carry a towel. You just need to be willing.

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'For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.’ - King David Psalms 40:12 NLT “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” - Jesus John 16:33 NLT “I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.” - Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 7:4-5 NLT Treasure in Fragile Clay Jars “1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.

2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.

For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” - Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 4 NLT 'Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.’ King David Psalms 22:11 We’ve all heard it said that I would love church except for the people.

There have been trouble and trials since the fall of man.

We understand the trouble in the Old Testament, the temptations, the falls, and the challenges and conflict between people. There is continual trouble against Israel, continual trouble between Israel and the Lord and continual trouble against the prophets. We understand the trouble against Jesus, our Messiah and Savior. But surely after the death, burial, resurrection and the outpouring of the 4 South Texas Ministry Network

Holy Spirit, troubles should have ended. . .. But. ..

Trouble follows believers and it follows the church.

There is conflict within ourself; spiritual trials, emotional trials, physical battles with our bodies, spiritual trials. Conflict one believer to another. Conflict between believers and non-believers. Conflict between the church and government.

'Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ' 2 Timothy 3:12 NLT The entire New Testament is written to a troubled and flawed church.

Conflict on every hand.

The gospels - recount the history of the life of Jesus as He comes to earth to save man - trouble ending with the greatest victory man has ever seen - the resurrection of Jesus from the dead Acts - the ministry of the early church. Conflict, persecution, racism, sexism, religious and political conflict and even martyrdom and victory on every hand.

Lives changed to the glory of God. Church in Romans - battle between walking in the flesh and the spirit, grace and works In Corinth - ungodliness in the church, abuse of the gifts of the HS Galatia - the law vs grace Ephesus - the armor of God, church sprits and divisions Philippi - having true joy and learning to think on good things, having joy in all things, living for others Colossi - urging Christians to not worship any other entity other than Jesus Christ.

Jesus alone is needed for salvation. v Thessalonica - the imminent return of the Lord. Coming against the false teaching concerning the Lord’s return Timothy - encouragement to this young minister to stay faithful Titus - how to organize and run the church Philemon - a challenge against prejudice and racism Letter to the Hebrews - warning against backsliding and the superiority of Christ over angels. Teaching on the priesthood of Jesus.

James - the balance of faith and works, that faith without works is dead Peter - encouragement for those suffering for their faith John - urging followers of Jesus to love one another and to avoid false teachers Jude - attacking false teachers who had infiltrated the church Revelation of Jesus / through John - a challenge to the early church, rebuking and bringing discipline where needed and a revealing of the realities of Heaven The battles we fight are worth it. The troubles we endure are inevitable and will all turn to our good. We fight for ourselves. For our families. Our churches.

Our nation. Our employers and fellow employees and yes we even fight for our “perceived” enemies.

God has not called us to be trouble makers but trouble breakers.

The Church moves forward on the waves of trials and trouble. Don’t give up or be discouraged. Keep moving forward. Trials, troubles and sorrows are worth it because it shows us: 1. How powerful God is 2. How weak we are 3. That this world and our life here is temporary and that we have a perfect eternal home awaiting us in heaven Pastor Don K. Wiehe stxmn.org

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Ministers & Churches Changes and Updates

New Certified:

Manuel Martinez Barraza

Andrew Joiner

Upgrade to License: Julian Danner

Transferred In: Ricky Lance Overstreet - From North Texas Lynette Overstreet - From North Texas

New Pastors: Pastor Andre Perez - Lead Pastor - First Assembly of God - McAllen, Tx Pastor J. Randall Durham - Victory Assembly of God - Kirbyville, Tx

New PAC Church: Maranatha Church of Laredo - Laredo, Tx Refugio Assembly of God - Refugio, Tx Praise Fellowship Center, Inc. - Alice, Tx

Withdrawn from the Assemblies of God: First Assembly of God – Victoria, TX Faith Assembly of God – Vidor, TX

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BUILT TO LAST - Marriage Conference September 19-20th 2025 | $90/couple Faith Church - Jersey Village 7755 Fairbanks N Houston Rd Houston, TX 77040

Join us for the Built to Last Marriage Conference — a powerful, practical, and inspiring weekend designed to strengthen the foundation of your marriage.

Whether you’re newly married or decades in, this event will help you and your spouse reconnect, refocus, and build something that stands the test of time.

On Wednesday, October 22, from 8:30AM to 1:00 PM, 1103 Merida St. San Antonio, 78207 Seniors With Purpose will be doing a home missions outreach at Agora Ministries, San Antonio. We will be helping to unload food and assist with distributing it to Wayne- 210-326-8130 the local folks who will be attending from around the rwcpc47@gmail.com Agora Ministries Neighborhood.

Judy- 210-273-7268 There will be a service time, with ministry as well. Those jsc194967@gmail.com attendees will receive food for the week.

Senior Summit Judy and I have had the privilege of serving at Agora Save the Date- Our Annual Senior Summit is scheduled and the time with the local folks is precious and very for March 15-17, 2025. The Summit is always a wonderful purposeful! A number accepted Jesus as savior in the time. I call it Youth Camp for Seniors! As always we service. will have a powerful Minister as well as great worship and Musical guests. Plus, you never know what we will up as a surprise! Look for further details in future We have chosen to do local home missions projects this cook communications! year in lieu of an over seas missions trip. We will again look to do a mission trip with our seniors somewhere out of country next year. We are working with Builders Remember- Psalm 92:14-15 “They shall still bear fruit in International to establish the date and the place. old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that I have often said that you cannot be close to God and the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no not feel his heart for the lost around the world and across unrighteousness in Him.” the street. We must be involved with missions. We must support those God is calling to go, and when the Holy Wayne and Judy Clark Spirit creates opportunities to do missions, we can’t Seniors With Purpose afford not to.

South Texas Ministry Network If you would like to join us on October 22 at a Agora ministries and have the privilege of serving in an area “No Coasting to the Finish Line” that is one of the poorest ZIP Codes in the United States.

Please call or email either Judy or me at the following.

And yes, it is a privilege to serve!

Come on, go with us! If not now…. When?

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A Present Help in Trouble: Chaplaincy in the Flood Zone

AGWM GOSPEL ACCESS – UN ENGAGED

At the 2025 Assemblies of God General Council, AGWM

announced its new vision to answer an urgent, worldwide

hunger for God: advancing gospel access to unengaged people groups.

This initiative represents what AGWM Executive Director John Easter describes as “the largest initiative we have done in 72 years” — ushering in the greatest spiritual harvest our generation has seen.

The Need: Of the world’s 8.2 billion people, there are currently 2,085 unengaged unreached people groups (UUPGs) in the world, representing more than 202 million people. These people have no access to the gospel. They have no churches, no missionaries, and few, if any, known believers. They have not rejected the gospel; they have no access to it. Without external intervention, they will never hear Jesus’ name.

By 2033, AGWM plans to increase its number of missionaries from 2,569 to 4,000, a rise of more than 1,400 over the next eight years. Churches across the world are already responding to this new vision to reach the unengaged, each choosing the number of sons and daughters that God is calling them to set aside for His mission.

SO THE QUESTION IS: What will the STMN churches do to help these unengaged have access to the Gospel…precisely, what number of sons and daughters are we going to send? Many say it takes a village, but here it takes ALL of US, praying, giving, and sending!

If you have someone interested in answering the Call to missions, please have them contact us so we can help get on the right path to GO! Roger & Debbi Audorff, STMN Missions Directors (210)896-4969 raudorff.stxag@gmail.com

My heart raced as I waited at the police checkpoint in Hunt, Texas, behind a long line of trucks hauling heavy machinery. I had seen the images on TV, but I knew no screen could prepare me for the devastation I was about to step into. Canoes sat stranded at the tops of trees, pillows and blankets scattered along the roadside, mountains of debris piled high, and century-old trees twisted together in eerie, forbidding shapes. As you drive into what feels like another world, a sign spray painted on a large piece of debris comes into view: ‘Jesus wept’. This short scripture was a powerful reminder to me that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15), but One who understands our pain and weeps with us in our despair.

It was also a reminder that we were among God’s people, and even in destruction and loss of life, we stood on holy ground, for God was at work there. Part of His work is carried out through the 461 Chaplain Response Team—a group of chaplains trained to respond to critical incidents and disasters. These ministers have hearts broken for those impacted by tragedy and work to restore hope through Christ by any means necessary—whether filling ice chests with water, serving a meal, or meeting a need to create the opportunity to share Him. We first ministered at ‘Camp Fleming,’ a large piece of land left bare by the floodwaters. The mission at Camp Fleming was heartbreaking: recovering human remains. I will never forget the mix of emotions when volunteers succeeded—sorrow at the loss of life, but also relief that grieving families would finally have answers. Several of our team, trained in crisis care, set up a quiet space at the Hunt School where traumatized volunteers could begin to process what they had seen. From the moment we arrived, one thing was emphasized: chaplains don’t sit under a tent and wait for opportunity to come. We serve. We clear debris, unload pallets of water, and pass out hundreds of meals. Most of the volunteers at the site were not professionals but ordinary men and women who felt the call to help.

As we worked alongside them, the Lord provided countless opportunities to offer prayer and minister to those processing what they had seen and experienced. Before the search teams set out, a chaplain on our team approached the camp commander and asked to pray. There, in the middle of the chaos, our chaplain team led 500 volunteers in prayer to Almighty God—reminding them that He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1), the very scripture that serves as the namesake of the Chaplain Response Team.

Later in the week, a cadaver dog had marked a spot in the river, and a dive team was working to search beneath a massive slab of concrete. Our chaplains were called upon to serve this team and to be ready to provide spiritual support. All day they worked, hoping to bring closure to a waiting family. The search was finally called off after finding nothing. The team was exhausted and discouraged.

Our chaplains called the team together in a circle, and I watched as these tough, hardened men opened up about their disappointment. Then they joined us in prayer, standing shoulder to shoulder as we asked God for strength and comfort. In that moment, I was proud to serve with a chaplain team that meets people in real time. Even though the team found nothing, the moment was not wasted.

In God’s eyes it was still fruitful, as we stood in prayer by the river—surrounded by excavators and twisted trees—seeing His presence at work.

As a new chaplain, I learned so much from the 461 Chaplain Response Team, who boldly made their presence known in the chaos.

They didn’t sit back with trepidation, waiting to be invited—they stepped forward, announcing with confidence, “We are here to help.”

They prayed openly, worked tirelessly, and ensured their presence was felt in both the physical and spiritual needs of the community.

They connected with the heads of volunteer groups—many with military backgrounds—who quickly recognized the importance and value of chaplains in the field. Their boldness for the gospel was remarkable and unmatched. As The Message paraphrase of Romans 15:3 says: “That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out.” “I am convinced that everything I have seen and experienced with this chaplain team reflects Christ’s example in action.

As the story fades from the news, the devastation doesn’t. Hundred-year-old cypress trees lay tossed on their sides, huge root systems exposed, for miles and miles. The water is filled with toxic bacteria, requiring all those who enter to receive a tetanus shot. Whole communities in our beloved Texas hill country have been shaken to their core. But what hasn’t changed is the heart of the people to love and serve their neighbors. I am burdened to continue to minister to this area, even after the limelight fades, as this is when they will need us most. Truly, He is our refuge and strength, and our ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Chaplain Sarah Baughman, 461 Chaplain Response Team

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Another Real-Time Story from STMN Global workers serving in Eurasia: Looking for Storytellers Our eighteen-year-old daughter sat with her language teacher, a devout young Buddhist, at our kitchen table in the remote mountains of Laos. They had been reading through a children’s Bible during the language lessons since our daughter desired to be able to communicate more about her faith in the local language.

Her language teacher was happy to oblige, even though she herself was not a Christian.

During this particular lesson, the language teacher stopped abruptly in the middle of the lesson and asked, “Do you know why Lao people don’t believe in Jesus?” Her interest piqued, our daughter replied, “Why don’t you tell me what you think?” “Everything Lao people believe about life and why we exist, we learned from our parents and grandparents through the stories they’ve passed down through generations. The Lao people have never had stories about Jesus. Maybe if we did, we would believe in Him.” When our daughter recounted this conversation to us later, my eyes filled with tears at the painful truth in her words: Lao people have NEVER had stories about Jesus. Laos is considered a“Never-Reached” Country, with over 50 ethnic groups that have neve in all of history had access to the Gospel or been engaged by missionaries. These are precious, loved souls, created by our Heavenly Father, who sent Jesus to rescue them from sin, yet they are still waiting for people to tell them His story. It’s a sobering reminder that while we wait for the second coming of Christ, millions in Laos have yet to hear of the first.

Our young Lao friend has now had the opportunity to hear the story of Jesus, and her excitement about Him is contagious! She told me recently, “I tell everyone about Jesus!” She hasn’t even become a Christian yet, and she is already a Storyteller to her own people, declaring the name of Christ and sharing His love in Laos.

With only six AGWM workers in the country of Laos, we’re looking for more Storytellers to join us in sharing stories about Jesus with the Lao people. After all, “…how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14) We need churches in South Texas to answer the call to send more Storytellers to join us in Laos so that ALL have the chance to hear, believe, and be saved. It’s been over 2,000 years since Jesus walked the earth… we think they’ve waited long enough.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving in Laos, either on a short-term trip, a 1-2 year MA assignment, or as a career missionary, please get in touch with Roger & Debbi Audorff at (210) 896-4969 or email raudorff.stxag@gmail.com for more information.

CHURCH MISSION AND PEACEMAKING POSITION PAPER (ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL PRESBYTERY IN SESSION AUGUST 1 & 3, 2015) “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18, NIV).1 The Assemblies of God considers peacemaking to be intrinsic to the Church’s mission.Our “priority reason for being” is: (1) “To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world” (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16); (2) “To be a corporate body in which man may worship God” (1 Corinthians 12:13); (3) “To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son” (1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:12; Ephesians 4:11–16); and, (4) “To be a people who demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all the world” (Psalm 112:9; Galatians 2:10; 6:10; James 1:27).

Peace emanates from the very character of the Triune God who is “the God of peace” (Romans 15:33). The gospel therefore is “The gospel of peace” which is proclaimed in evangelism (Ephesians 6:15), pervades the relational context of authentic worship, provides an essential ethos for building the body of Christ, and is expressed and extended by demonstrating God’s love and compassion for the world. God’s ultimate design for His world and all its inhabitants is and has always been for them to be at peace with Him, themselves, each other, and His creation.

Peace Disrupted At the beginning of the human story, Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect peace in four relationships. They were at peace with God, their personal self, each other, and God’s created order. Through these four relationships, God intended for humans to fulfill their purpose to worship and serve Him in a beautiful, hospitable, orderly, and peaceful world.

However, when Adam and Eve yielded to temptation, followed their own desires, and rebelled against God, their sin damaged all four of these relationships, and humanity fell into depravity and strife. Thereafter, to this present time, and until Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom, fallen humanity has been, is, and will continue to be alienated from God, themselves, other people, and creation (Genesis 3:1–8). Peace is elusive where God’s Word and will are unknown or unheeded.

Hope for Peace Restored In its most basic meaning, the word peace describes the quality of relationships. The Hebrew word shalom, usually translated “peace,” captures analogically what God’s peace is all about. It may best be understood as access to the “good life,” a life in which God’s good intentions for humanity are being realized. Shalom denotes the absence of conflict or war which is a necessary condition for human flourishing.

But even more basically it speaks of harmony with God, oneself, one another, and God’s creation. Shalom therefore is a profoundly spiritual word, deeply rooted in the awareness that all blessings of life flow from God the Creator.

Its human and historical idealization is pictured in an oft-quoted passage from Israel’s “golden age”: “During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety (betach), everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25). But as the biblical record makes clear, Solomon’s splendid and affluent kingdom by no means perfectly represented the mature shalom into which Israel’s God desired to bring His ancient covenant people and indeed all humankind 22 South Texas Ministry Network

(Micah 4:4). Though the people whom God created were all too soon and too willingly alienated, the promise of a final and perfect realization of shalom is nonetheless found throughout the Scriptures. Immediately following the Fall of our first parents is God’s promise that the seed of the woman would one day defeat the deceiver (Genesis 3:15). This promise is followed by God’s promise to Abraham and his descendents that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). Somewhat later God promises that the Messiah, a descendant of David, will come to establish a kingdom of peace throughout the earth (2 Samuel 7:12–13; 1 Kings 8:20; 1 Chronicles 17:11–14; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:10– 16).

These conditions are beautifully and powerfully depicted in the Old Testament prophets as a time when nations will no longer war against one another (Isaiah 2:4) and all creation is at peace (Isaiah 32:17–18).

God’s people will then finally have entered into the perfect shalom He intended from the beginning.

With righteousness he [the Branch, i.e., the Messiah] will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:4–9). The New Testament continues this theme, often reflecting the language of the Old Testament prophets, and likewise declares that God’s eternal kingdom (Psalm 145:13) of peace will be established on the earth. But it will only come at the end of this present age when Jesus Christ returns as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11– 16). The Revelation vividly depicts the arrival of a millennium, a thousand-year reign of peace (Revelation 20:4–10) which then gives way to the new heaven and the new earth (Revelation 21). It also describes the descent of the City of God at which time God comes eternally to dwell in righteousness and peace with His people (Revelation 21:1 through 22:5).

“Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ 2or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3–4) Present Need for Peacemaking Unfortunately, from the fall of Adam and Eve until the present, peace on our fallen planet has continued to be fragile indeed. Human history, to be sure, has its finer moments with the emergence of lofty ideals, many realized extensively in the history of our own and other nations, past and present. But unfortunately human history is also littered with the memories of wars, tyrannical and corrupt regimes, lawlessness, murder,

slavery, even genocide. Far from our having evolved into a kinder, gentler world, the dawning of the twenty-first century is brimming with a simmering mix of ancient barbarities, militant religions, and godless philosophies that seem perennially to threaten whatever moral progress has been accomplished in previous generations.

Moral turbulence notwithstanding and with all the more reason, the Scriptures reiterate again and again the imperative of peacemaking for every generation. Dark ages and dark days are no reason for followers of Christ to cease faithful representation of the Prince of Peace! Even so, with all realism, the New Testament anticipates that turmoil will continue, and indeed increase as the end of the age approaches. In 2 Timothy 3:1– 5, Paul predicts “terrible times” that will characterize many of the “last days.” Among his descriptors of human depravity are such terms as “lovers of themselves (selfish),” “unforgiving,” and “treacherous,” all of which specifically identify characteristics that militate against peace and justice and often corrupt humankind’s best intended efforts toward those ends. The Church in our time, and every time, has both the imperative and the challenge of pursuing peace and justice in societies often tumultuous and conflicted. Great revivals of Christian faith and morals have often turned the tide of human history, and that possibility is always with those who believe and act on their faith.

Biblical Directives for Peacemaking The Scriptures are replete with directives to make peace in the midst of injustice and turmoil. The Psalmist proclaims: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). The great writing prophets of the Old Testament severely condemned the dreadful social exploitation and injustice of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in their prosperous but declining years. Thus Amos confronted an outwardly religious but idolatrous and oppressive Israel: Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (5:23–24). Similarly, Isaiah shortly thereafter confronted Judah, also outwardly religious but publicly corrupted by injustice and idolatry: Stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow (1:16–17). 3As we know very well, for the most part those appeals fell on deaf ears, and both nations continued their blind march to disintegration and exile. By the time of Jesus, God’s people were no longer a theocracy ruled by a Davidic king, but a vassal state ruled by tyrannical Rome. In that oppressive setting, with the Jewish people seething with resentment and revolt, Jesus yet preaches the prophetic message, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Paul writes, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17–18). Later in the same epistle he urges, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). The author of Hebrews commands: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14). James promises, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).

When Jesus blesses those who make peace (Matthew 5:9), He is challenging and encouraging His followers to actively promote the restoration of relationships. To believers deeply involved in the life of local congregations, Paul writes, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This is an exhortation rarely heeded in fractious congregations and communities! Nonetheless, peacemaking and peacekeeping are a vital part of the “ministry of

reconciliation” that God has given to us through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18).

It is inspiring to remember that these exhortations first came to believers striving to be peacemakers under far more dangerous and difficult conditions than exist in advanced modern societies. But even today, there are many places in our world where extremely dangerous conditions threaten the very lives, not to mention the peacemaking efforts of believers. Certainly, for those of us who are free and uniquely empowered to bring reconciliation and hope to various communities at home and abroad, the imperative for peacemaking is inescapable.

Biblical Means of Achieving Peace As we have repeatedly emphasized, genuine peace comes only from and through God who is the wellspring of peacemaking. As Paul notes (Romans 4:5; 5:6), God has taken the first step of peacemaking by offering redemption through Jesus Christ, whereby we have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This includes personal and experiential peace: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Jesus further personalizes it declaring that He is the One who gives peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). Taking this reconciling gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) to others in turn is the first and most basic means of peacemaking (Matthew 5:9).

Beyond sharing the gospel of peace, the Scriptures are not univocal regarding other means of accomplishing peace or addressing conflict.

In the Old Testament, God’s will for human behavior is epitomized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 5:1–21) which are in turn distilled into two, love for God and love for neighbor (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37–40). If necessary, force is used to resolve conflicts. In the New Testament, there is more emphasis on accomplishing peace through nonviolent means. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus advocates a nonviolent response to evil when He instructs us to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, or relinquish our shirts when sued for our coats. However, the4 Scriptures strongly support conflict resolution as an appropriate method to obtain peace when one is wronged or has wronged another (Matthew 5:23–26; 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 6:1–11, Ephesians 2:14). The New Testament also recognizes and affirms the role of government in peacemaking and peacekeeping.

“The authorities that exist have been established by God” and are “God’s servant for your good.” These authorities “bear the sword” as “God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:1,4). While these biblical texts have no illusions about the moral impeccability of the authorities or their actual rule, it is clear that the divine mandate for government is to maintain justice and peace, and to defend against and punish evil. Christians have an imperative not only to affirm their government’s role in peacekeeping but also as citizens to cast their ballots, raise their voices, and exert their influence to facilitate just and humane actions by their governing bodies as well as other social and commercial entities. Evangelical witness is always demonstrated as compassionate and peace-loving people thoughtfully and prayerfully examine their own prejudices, educate themselves on the great moral issues of the day, and engage in ways that bring glory to God and shalom to those who are oppressed and violated. Indeed, lawless and brutal behavior threatens the well-being and peace of society at large as well as particular individuals who are immediately abused by such destructive behaviors. Leaving the wounded unattended and unprotected alongside the highways of life may be excused by some religionists, but it is hardly the godly option for those called to be peacekeepers and peacemakers.

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