Walls Down: Spring Harvest
Dear brothers and sisters,
I wanted to share some encouragement this week about what has been happening since I arrived in the States, and the growth we’ve seen abundantly in so many places. I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to meet many of you in person, along with my core group from the field. The work of a teacher often goes without seeing the results of their labor for a long time, so it has been a deep blessing to witness the firm rooting of what has been taught through words repeated and applied, to see branches forming in their lives in their skills applied, and to see the fruit of their actions in this season.
A Visit to Leoma
On the twelfth, I had the opportunity to share with and bless the people at Centerpoint Missionary Baptist Church in Leoma. They were most welcoming. Our brother Josh stood before the congregation and shared about the life-changing impact God has had on his life and on others through the work at ROOM and in VRChat. This was something no one in the church would have expected, given his past reserved nature and fear of speaking publicly. I stepped back letting Josh to take the lead, as I did not want to be the focus but rather for God’s work to be evident. It was a true blessing to witness.
The people were deeply moved by their brother’s growth. Praise God for our brother Adam and his wife Ashton, who supported me and opened their home so I could rest after travel. Please forgive me for forgetting to take a picture. They have deep hearts for God, His Church, and her piety.
I encouraged and challenged the men in Leoma to take up their responsibilities toward one another, charging them to continue the good work begun in Josh and to extend it to others through the work of the Holy Spirit and daily submission to God’s Word. We are called to apply His teaching to our lives and to care for one another in every way each one has need. There are also potentially interested individuals who may join us online to support the work through Bible studies and engagement in outreach.
Encouragement from Oregon
I also had the pleasure of visiting our brother Bryson (seen above) in Oregon to encourage him as he considers his future direction. Once a callous atheist, seeking only his own pleasure, he is now a new creation. His desire to rightly know God and seek Him is encouraging. His application of Scripture to daily life is equally so. In truth, I felt I was the one most encouraged by the visit. He is growing steadily, learning to trust in what God has spoken and in His good providence. I pray the Lord will hold him fast all his days.
He is now considering where to live, prioritizing the church first and job opportunities second, as he prepares to build toward a future family, and build roots.
Only Hampton, VA; Lincoln, NE; GA; and FL remain in the coming two to three weeks, and I will be flying back to the Philippines on June 4th.
The Bible studies and evangelism nights continue unhindered. One of our sisters has even offered to host social gatherings in VRChat to help strengthen community. She has been growing in her service.
Bryson and Josh both greet you and send their thanks to you readers for your support and prayers and wish for you to know what you are doing is a great blessing to them.
Call Beyond The Screen
“Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Genesis 4:9)
“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them… if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him… You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them…” (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.” (Exodus 22:5)
Brothers and sisters,
We are called to pour into one another.
In the United States, we carry a cultural sin of independence. It is not only that abundance tempts us to think we do not need God. It is also that we can see our brothers and sisters drifting, hear warning signs in what they say, and yet do nothing.
We may notice, we may even ask a question or two, but we stop short of action.
I refuse to speak as Cain. I AM my brother’s keeper.
When I see a brother or sister struggling, I will seek to know whether they are being guided and helped. If they are not, then something must be done. Even if I am not the best person for the task, someone must step in.
God commands that when we find what belongs to our neighbor in distress, we do not ignore it. We take responsibility. We act. We restore. This is not optional. It is obedience.
Christ shows us the same in the Good Samaritan.
We are the people of God. When responsibility is placed before us, we take it up.
We do not ignore those in need, whether spiritually, financially, or within their families. We labor to build them up, to strengthen them, so that they in turn strengthen the body.
We bring one another to the Word. We teach, we correct, we help, seeking both earthly and heavenly good.
This is love.
Go and love your neighbor. You ARE your brother’s keeper. Be doers of the Word, not hearers only.
Peace be with you,
Matthew Boyer