Class Response Ten: Peter Almqvist

Peter Almqvist, Festival Director of Mission SOS, joined us in class via Skype Thursday morning.

My favorite story he shared was about the time he drove around in a jeep through Africa for four days. They were trying to find an unreached people group they'd set out to share the Gospel with.

When they arrived, the Holy Spirit told them it was the right place but it seemed they'd have to build a road to get anyone else in. The four wheel drive on the Jeep was enough for a few people, but the festival would require heavy equipment and many more people.

So, they built a road. 6,000 people came to Christ that week and 10 churches were planted. He told us stories about renovating a town so the festival staff could stay there, buying a sound system from a local night club for a festival, and even a time when a man who was a midget asked another man to throw him in the air to attract attention... all for the opportunity to share the gospel with more people.

Peter said that God gives us each a place in furthering the gospel and quickening the return of Jesus. The place that God has given Mission SOS is through these festivals. They have a confidence in what God has called them to do and they know it's value. They know it is a proven way to reach people and even when they come up against opposition or things just don't really seem to be working... they use their creativity and they overcome.

"Challenges are meant to be overcome" He said. Challenges are not meant to defeat us or be things that steal our joy and zeal for following God... they're simply things that are meant to overcome. Things that serve as rungs on a ladder that encourage us to take another step up.

I love the heart I see in Peter and Mission SOS for overcoming and pushing through, in never giving up... because there is something so much greater God wants to do. Whether it's to reach one person or one-hundred thousand, it is so worth it to be creative and not give up.

This week I'm asking God to give me wisdom in this area. When he asks me to reach a person or a certain group of people, I don't want to stop just because I see a challenge or two. God builds roads with us if we'll trust him and serve faithfully. I don't want to stop after 4 days of driving and give up just because I didn't think building a road was possible.

There might be one person or 6,000 on the other side of that brush, on the other side of that challenge, who are just waiting for me to be creative, push through, and share the beautiful, precious, overcoming message of Christ.

Not giving up or letting anything stop you