Dear friends,
I am grateful. As I reflect on the past 12 months, as I am challenged by the faith and courage of our partners across the world making known the Good News, as I realise the opportunities before us, as I think of each one of you as I write this – I am grateful. I am grateful to be able to meet some of you again face to face, for your growing support and unflinching partnership, and grateful for the privilege to serve our Lord Jesus in His mission alongside you. I am grateful and humbled to be a part of God’s eternal story.
When Christ was born, those in the narrative unexpectedly found themselves inside the story that changed humanity’s history. They were people that the world did not expect God to choose. Mary was an ordinary, young Jewish girl. The magi, who visited Jesus when He was a toddler, were pagan astrologers. Shepherds, who first received news of the birth, were not esteemed by society.
Yet each was valued, each loved, each chosen by God to be a part of His story that would eternally change the world. In turn, their own lives were eternally changed.
But here’s the twist: our story has always been a part of God’s story. Right from creation, we were made to have a loving relationship with Him. This is the Good News that the shepherds went on to tell that joyous night: that, in Jesus, God’s story becomes ours again. This is the Good News FEBC bears. And this is also our part to play in God’s story: letting others hear about the Gospel.
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2:17-18
I pray that your hearts are filled with the joy that Jesus came to give, and you will be amazed as you read about the men, women and children in Mongolia, Iraq, Philippines and Indonesia in this issue of Skywaves. Their lives were eternally transformed – just like Mary, the magi and the shepherds – when God’s story unexpectedly became a part of their story. It did not matter if they were pagan or looked down upon by society. As a result, they pass on the Good News, just like the shepherds did – and what you do, when you support and pray for FEBC’s work.
May Christ be birthed in your hearts and homes anew. Merry Christmas.
In His Service
Kevin Keegan
National Director, FEBC Australia
