Matthew 6:19-24

 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (Matthew 6:19-34, NASB)

 It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body….Hence, naturally it came to stand for the man.  As representing the man himself, it was considered to be the seat of the emotions and passions and appetites, and embraced likewise the intellectual and moral faculties - though these are necessarily ascribed to the "soul" as well. This distinction is not always observed.

 In the heart vital action is centered. "Heart," except as a bodily organ, is never ascribed to animals.  As the central organ in the body, forming a focus for its vital action, it has come to stand for the center of its moral, spiritual, intellectual life.  A bare reference may be made to the employment of the term for that which is innermost, hidden, deepest in anything, the very center of things. This we find in all languages. Ephesians 3:16-17 speak of "the inward man".

Find a need and fill it; Find a hurt and heal it.

 In “The Master Plan of Evangelism”, Robert Coleman proposes a simple strategy.  Jesus took three years of His ministry and invested in a select group of people…His disciples and turned the world rightside up with and through them.  Given the “tyranny of time”, we need to invest our time carefully and strategically.

 We have worked both in corporate time and one-on-one studies. A balance between the two has allowed for more effective use of an already-stretched time.  Bible bowl preparation, the annual youth rally and camp have strengthened these two works.  The kids camp (10-14 age) has brought more people to junior school ministry that is slowly building up.

When people come to me and tell me that our church is not doing much for the evangelism, I tell them: “Send your money there and your heart will follow (Matt 6:19)”.

My life was changed with a click

 If I was to consider which investment yields more kingdom benefits church planting or revitalization of struggling churches, I would opt for the second.  We stepped in to help and God showed up.  The work there is flourishing while several trips have helped to teach on how to preach, mentor the preachers there and a provide resources for the area.

 Currently we are working to devise a long- term training program which includes class teaching and outside mentorship.  The basic premise: Four teachers, rotate two days a month every week, while mentoring the preachers and allowing for hands on ministry. Student body will consist of 4 preachers who preach for the 5 churches in the area, a couple whose interning with the church in Lushnja, and a potential of 5 students to be brought in…a total of 11 students.

 Cost of training Student-Preacher: Expenses (8 months) – 1000 $ Salary (12 months) – 6000 $ Workfund (12 months) $ Total $ Student – Non-preacher (8 months) – 1400$ We need to have the preachers’ support and work fund provided to tap in the other 7 students.