Last summer I embarked on a journey to help bring the Perspectives course to the Twin Cities on a regular basis and in January our spring semester started. Even though January brought snow and ice, over 100 students attended the first few nights of class. From our first week to our last, we were encouraged by the commitment that these students made to this course.
Perspectives is not so much a course, as it is a “movement” involving God’s people throughout the world finding their niche in God’s overall purpose to bless the nations. Throughout the course, the students began to see God’s heart for the nations and where they fit into His big picture. One student said “I believe that the impact of the Church in the world would be entirely transformed if every Christian could have the Biblical perspective taught in this course…No exaggeration – it’s that transformational. It will give you God’s perspective. I have never encountered a more valuable teaching.”
Wow. Can you imagine learning something that makes you feel that way? Sign me up!
Over the course of fifteen weeks, students have the opportunity to learn from some of the most highly-regarded missions leaders and mentors in the world. They challenge and inspire you with their personal experiences that will open your eyes to see just how big God is, and how much He desires that all might come to know Him. Many are pastors or leaders of churches, but there are also missionaries, ministry leaders as well as college professors. No matter what your theology or how it compares to theirs, you will get a different perspective that will no doubt cause you to think about what you’ve learned.
Over and over, I hear from people who have taken this class that it has changed their lives. Some students go on to over-seas missions but most aren’t called to do that and they serve the growing mission field right here at home. As I spent time at each class, I got to know the students and hear how God was moving and changing their hearts and lives because of the class. They were discovering how they fit in and what they could do even if they couldn’t go over-seas. Some are preparing for the future when they will head to parts of Africa or Peru or India. Some will serve right here in our local, growing mission field doing ELL, serving on a college campus or the Phillips neighborhood. Some will work with Somali’s, Chinese, the homeless or battered women. Some took, (or will take) short term mission trips to Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria, but all will serve God with a new perspective.
This fall, Trinity is one of 2 hosts for our class. Registration is open until September 21 and we are excited to get to know the new students and future harvest workers! I challenge you to change your perspective!
“Look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35
