Alongside...God’s Strategy Who has God brought alongside you, someone in whom you can invest your gifts and friendship? God’s economy – the way His world works through His people – is set up so that surprise people contacts happen along the way of life. Ask God to show you those people along the way of your life that He has provided on purpose....not just with family or close friends, but in others who may come along by surprise.
"We loved you so much that were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." 1 Thessalonians 2:8
The key to working with nationals ALWAYS depends upon a quality interpreter. Meet "A", my interpreter in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Alongside – watching, watching watching! It took me a long time to understand something that is now life-directing. I used to believe that we were to make great plans and then ask God to bless them – “strategic thinking” is what I called it. What’s changed? I now realize that God leads primarily through relationships. In my training I say this: “Let’s watch whom God brings to learn more clearly what God intends.” I call it “organic body life.” God brings along who is needed to fulfill His purposes, and we get to watch, come alongside, and then play our part with those others....and together we will see God working in amazing ways among us and with the newbies He brings ALONGSIDE in life.
ALONGSIDE #1. Here are some of the folks from southeast Asia whom God brought. "M" is the first. As I trained his group of 80 over a three-day period in Chiang Mai, Thailand, "M" came up to me each day to ask a question. I didn’t think much about it until he asked if we could have lunch. Then suddenly I realized that "M" was one of those “ALONGSIDE” folk! So "M" had my full attention. Though I will leave the focus of our conversation confidential, it became very clear to me why God has brought me alongside "M". Pray for our friend in his church planting efforts and as he watches for God to bring the right people alongside him, some of whom were there even before he started watching!!
ALONGSIDE #2. There was a pair of leaders [pictured in this group, unnamed] who had been a part of a smaller group of 25 with whom I had first worked. Again, I missed the importance of the initial questions these brothers asked. But as they pursued me, I began to pay closer attention and sought out each of them during our five days together. The interactions with them were among the most important I had, and were clearly God-appointed. We look forward to our next opportunity to meet and to talk. The establishment of such relationships opens the door for future chances to see God’s impact in their world of friendships.
Alongside #3. I used to structure my nationals training time jam-packed with formal structure...until I realized all this “alongside” stuff SO natural in these relational cultures. Alongside needs time just to be together. Sometimes it is in the casual dialogue that the important “God stuff” rises to the surface. So it was with these two men, one from Singapore and one from the Philippines, both leaders of their respective, large ministries. It was in the personal time with each of these brothers that issues affecting hundreds of others were discussed openly.
Alongside #4 & #5. Move now to central Europe, in Interlaken, Switzerland, where I led a teambuilding event with the leadership team for IMB’s (Southern Baptist missions) work in western Europe. Thanks to the blessing of frequent flyer miles, Julie was able to join me for this event. Since there were four couples on the team, it seemed wise to bring Julie so that we would be a couple alongside. Sure enough, God used both of us in the formal and informal times with this team that leads 400 workers. After this three-day event, I spent two days with the regional team leader and his wife, and my oh my, the depth of the time was amazing. What God gives when we take such time to go deeper in understanding His call on our lives!
One OTHER reason for arranging a free ticket for Julie to meet me in Switzerland.
SURPRISE!
From Julie: With all of the world-wide traveling we have done, I had never been to Europe.
We had three nights and two full days to ourselves in Basel, right along the Rhine River.
It was delightful to wander through the 200+ year old markplatz and two churches from the 17th century, all for our 25th anniversary!
In Interlaken, the Credo Hotel afforded us this amazing view of the Alps.
My time was divided between sharing and praying with these Southern Baptist (IMB) women, walking the pathways, exploring a 13th century castle, and dining with the IMB team.
Here are some of the folks from southeast Asia whom God brought. "M" is the first. As I trained his group of 80 over a three-day period in Chiang Mai, Thailand, "M" came up to me each day to ask a question. I didn’t think much about it until he asked if we could have lunch. Then suddenly I realized that "M" was one of those “ALONGSIDE” folk! So "M" had my full attention. Though I will leave the focus of our conversation confidential, it became very clear to me why God has brought me alongside "M". Pray for our friend in his church planting efforts and as he watches for God to bring the right people alongside him, some of whom were there even before he started watching!!
I used to structure my nationals training time jam-packed with formal structure...until I realized all this “alongside” stuff SO natural in these relational cultures. Alongside needs time just to be together. Sometimes it is in the casual dialogue that the important “God stuff” rises to the surface. So it was with these two men, one from Singapore and one from the Philippines, both leaders of their respective, large ministries. It was in the personal time with each of these brothers that issues affecting hundreds of others were discussed openly. 
Move now to central Europe, in Interlaken, Switzerland, where I led a teambuilding event with the leadership team for IMB’s (Southern Baptist missions) work in western Europe. Thanks to the blessing of frequent flyer miles, Julie was able to join me for this event. Since there were four couples on the team, it seemed wise to bring Julie so that we would be a couple alongside. Sure enough, God used both of us in the formal and informal times with this team that leads 400 workers. After this three-day event, I spent two days with the regional team leader and his wife, and my oh my, the depth of the time was amazing. What God gives when we take such time to go deeper in understanding His call on our lives!
