nl header B  

Many times we get asked the question "what exactly does Asian Partners International do?"  That is a great question and one that we love answering!  Sometimes people have heard about various aspects of the ministry but have a hard time connecting all of the dots.  We tell stories of churches being planted, kids being rescued, leaders being trained, teaching people how to read, thousands of people getting baptized, translating the bible into local languages, and so many more.  Without a good framework and understanding of who Asian Partners International is, we see why one could have a difficult time grasping the 'big picture' of this broad organization.  We can summarize the purpose & strategy of API in 4 main areas of focus that will help you understand who we are and why we exist.

Pioneering:  We desire the same thing that the Apostle Paul desired when he said "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." (Romans 15:20)  Simply put, we focus on the unreached and unengaged peoples of the world.

Accessing:  Gaining access to communities through needs-based programs is the key to finding men and women of peace that will help plant the seed of the Gospel in an unreached community. We operate over 15 different programs that directly meet the needs in communities located in North India. We call these various programs 10:NINE Projects.   Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' - Luke 10:9

[CLICK HERE to view the 10:NINE Project Catalog]

Discipling:  Leadership development remains the key to sustaining a CPM. Much of our resources and efforts are invested in creating 'disciple-cycles'. We want to follow Jesus' model of making disciples who will make more disciples...who will in turn make more disciples.  "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."  2 Tim 2:2

Partnering
:  Our core belief is that the task God has engaged us in is so big that we can't do it alone. We need others to be engaged and trained by sharing "best practices" in a simple manner so that others can also have impactful ministry strategies. We do not shy away from sharing and training others. We believe that in many cases others can do a better job than us.

Thank you for your prayers & partnership!  Visit our webpage at www.apii.org to find out more. 
Viewpoint
by Randy Cole

Let's continue the discovery process about Biblical Leadership.  Over the past eight months we looked at Paul (Multiplication), Joshua (Influence), Moses (Sacrifice), Daniel (The Voice), Jethro (Intuition), Barnabas (Empowerment), Nehemiah (Navigation), and Esther (Timing) as examples of leaders.  This month, we'll examine Attraction as a leadership trait, using Elijah as our example. 

 

Elijah - Attraction

Who you are is who you attract.

 

The leadership trait in the Scriptures:    

"Now it came about as they crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, 'Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (II Kings 2:9)

"But I hope in the Lord to send Timothy to you shortly...For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare." (Philippians2:19-20)

 

Observations about Attraction

  • Every person attracts others in some manner.  Conversely, every person follows and is attracted to other people.
  • Attraction might be through intellect, emotions, volition, or by another pathway.
  • Attraction is neither good nor bad - it depends on what the person chooses to do with it.
  • Attraction can be cultivated, shaped, and/or grown.
  • Leaders will attract followers that are both complimentary and like-minded.

 

What does Elijah teach us about Attraction and "Magnetic Relationships"?

  • The most magnetic relationships are God-appointed, and both people recognize that God has chosen them to be in this relationship.
    • The "still small voice" of Jehovah tells Elijah to anoint Elisha as the next prophet in Israel (I Kings 19:16).
    • When Elijah throws his cloak on Elisha (I Kings 19:19), Elisha immediately recognizes this as a God-appointment.  Elijah's cloak was a symbol of his God-given authority.  By throwing the cloak on Elisha, Elijah is giving him some of his authority, just like Moses did with Joshua (Num 27:20).
    • Obedience to God's appointment and calling is required.  Note that both Elijah and Elisha immediately obeyed.
  • We are reminded to consider the cost of God-appointed relationships.
    • When Elisha asked Elijah to "Let me kiss his mother and father goodbye", Elijah granted that request.  He told Elisha to "Go back".  And then he asks this question "What have I done to you?"  Through this question, Elijah is asking Elisha to "consider the cost".   Elijah knew what the cost would be, as he had already been living a life of isolation and surrender to God's calling.  Elijah was not forcing Elisha to follow him.  Elisha must freely decide to give up his vocation, his wealth, his family, his friends, and all aspects of his former life to follow Elijah.   
    • Note that Elisha surrendered all of the above to follow Elijah.  He considered the cost, and obeyed (I Kings 19:20-21).
  • People in magnetic relationships are inseparable. 
    • In II Kings 2:2, 4, 6, we see the nature of this magnetic relationship.  Three times, Elijah tells Elisha to "stay here".  And three times, Elisha replies "as surely as the Lord lives, I will not leave you".
    • Elisha knows that Elijah will soon be taken away by God.  He wants to spend every last second with his mentor and friend.
  • People in magnetic relationships want to reflect the image of the other person. 
    • In II Kings 2:9, Elijah asks Elisha "what can I do for you before I am taken away?" 
    • Elisha's response:  "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit".  Elisha wanted to be like his mentor in every aspect of his life. 
  • The ultimate source of "magnetism" in God-appointed relationships is the Spirit.
    • II Kings 2:15 tells us that other prophets recognized that Elisha had the "spirit of Elijah" resting on him.
    • In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, he tells them "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil 2:1-2). 
  • God-appointed relationships are not the end, but the beginning. These relationships foster a close relationship with God due to His Spirit working in us and through us.
    • Elisha was attracted to Elijah because he saw the Spirit and Power of Jehovah Elohim resting on him, and working through him. He wanted a "double portion" of that Spirit.
    • Paul told the church at Corinth to "follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1). 
  • We should strive to be in Mentoring relationships.  This is the ideal example of Attraction. 
    • There was mutual attraction in the relationship between Elijah and Elisha.  But the ultimate source of "magnetism" in this relationship was Jehovah.  God appointed this relationship.  The Spirit of God was evident in this relationship, and made it attractive.  Elijah mentored Elisha, while Elisha freely submitted to the tutelage of his mentor.
    • Another example of this concept is the mentoring relationship between Paul and Timothy.  Paul writes this in I Corinthians 4:14-16. 

"I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Paul sent Timothy to Corinth because he trusted him 1) to be faithful, 2) to remind others of the way of life in Christ Jesus, and 3) to be in agreement with Paul's teaching. Paul imitates Jesus.  Timothy imitates Paul.  And the church at Corinth is asked to imitate Timothy's example.

  • As you mentor others, remember that you must follow Christ first.  Consider the following formula:

Attractiveness = Christ-Likeness

 

If you want to increase the attractiveness of your mentoring relationships, you must "reflect the Lord's glory" by "being transformed into His likeness" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

Questions for Reflection . . .

  • What kind of people am I attracting?  What does this teach me about myself?
  • Who am I attracted to?  What does this teach me?
  • Who am I mentoring?  Who is the "Timothy" in my life?
  • Who is my mentor?  Who is the "Paul" in my life?
  • Am I "being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit"? 2 Corinthians 3:18
Contact
Asian Partners International, Inc.
PO Box 64419 // Lubbock, Tx 79464
[email protected]
Stay Connected
Like us on Facebook   
Thank you!