The places where Jesus went were filled with people who desperately needed his message of salvation and hope. People are no different today. They still need the Lord. We often shy away from this truth in our day of political-correctness. But the truth is the gospel can be communicated without being mean, and the truth of the gospel will stand up to the scrutiny people may have. The Greco-Roman world was transformed by that message; in the book of Acts, we see a tremendous sense of community in the early church, as well as in Roman society. Today, in our fragmented, busy, technological world, we struggle with maintaining our sense of community. The Go Tell event represents a unique opportunity for our community to come together and hear a message for every person in the mid-state.

All this began last year when Chef Audrey George attended a Go Tell crusade in Dublin. She was so impacted by the movement of God's Spirit there and by people's response that she was burdened that a similar thing could and should happen in central Georgia. Chef Audrey has been the point-person for much of what has happened in planning the crusade, often at great personal expense as she has given and hosted several luncheons and other functions. Since the initial meeting last summer, a number of civic and business leaders have shown support. At this point, there are 18 churches from various denominations that have committed to support the crusade, but many more are needed. The truth is, without the involvement of more pastors and the laity, an event that could be used of God to impact our area for years to come may turn out to be a mediocre affair.

Having been a pastor in Central Georgia for twelve and a half years prior to serving in my present capacity for the last two and a half, I know first-hand the challenges that go with the pastorate. Often, we want to do things for the kingdom beyond our own four walls, but our perception of the demands of our position prevent us from doing so. We feel taxed by our own responsibilities, plans, needs, etc. It's an irony that God has confronted me with in my own life: early on I prayed as a bi-vocational pastor, "Lord, set me free to do ministry," now I find I'm often imprisoned by ministry. But, I've learned that much of that perception of imprisonment is due to my own small, self-preserving thinking: "What am I going to get out of this? What's in this for me? I've got all I can do!" So, in the name of shepherding our own flock (which is really not ours) we stop daring to be fishers of men and settle to be keepers of the aquarium.

Rick Gage brings a unique, God-given ability to connect with people of all ages, but especially with young people. At a time when we deal with drugs, teenage pregnancy, school violence, gangs, youth suicide, and the like, how can we not support a message of hope, even if we're not the one getting to deliver it? What if God really wants to do something bigger than all of us? Bigger than the Baptists I lead; bigger than the Methodists I love; greater than the Presbyterians I respect. Greater even than the problems we face; ah, can it be: greater even than the barriers that threaten to separate us?

If such a thing happens in Middle Georgia, it will be because we come together in the one thing on which we can all agree: people need Christ! If it happens, and I'm praying that it does, it will be because generally small-thinking people like me dare to "think big" and because we desire to see God move in the lives of people. And above all, it will be because God shows up and transcends Rick Gage and all of us and brings glory to His name! Won't you join us? People need the Lord, and Go Tell needs you!

www.MidStateGoTell.vze.com