Chacos, TOMS and the Ultimate Christian

In the world of missions (and church), some things distinguish you as a seasoned missionary or the ultimate Christian. In the world of AIM, chacos, headlamps and backpacks with nalgene in tow are a necessity (not to mention the Nikon or Cannon SLR and the laptop to edit photos of all the little children we have captured in motion). DBU was a different environment. Toms were a necessity, going on mission trips for the summer, the place you served in ministry or the summer camp you worked at was a determining factor of how great a Christian you were.

This past weekend I was able to attend Passion 2011 in Fort Worth, TX. Somewhere around 10,500 students were in attendance representing different states and 14 nations. It was awesome seeing so many college age students coming out and worshipping the Lord. But this environment isn’t much different than that of the “Christian bubble” we continually surround ourselves in. Here, the ultimate Christian wears chacos or TOMS, carries their Bibles in one hand and Passion paraphernalia in the other. Many come for the status of being a college student with a heart for missions (until next weekend when we have forgotten all the Lord has done in our hearts), get to listen to godly men (Louie Giglio, Francis Chan and John Piper) and then return to their campus like nothing had ever happened. They are able to check the box of attending Passion, giving whatever extra cash we haven’t spent into an offering bucket and feel accomplished for the year. 

I say this and I have to confess that there is a little bitterness in my heart. I’m not doubting the hearts of everyone in attendance. Some people were genuinely changed from this weekend. However, the Lord will use us all in the process. No matter where our hearts our, the Lord is ultimately in control and will work things for good for the advancement of the Kingdom.

This weekend we were given a challenge. 

• Raise $220, 350 for a Bible translation for an unreached tribe in Mali. We had about 2 hours to raise this amount. And when it was all said and done we raised $227, 416 so that a people group can read scriptures in their own language. 
• Our community groups raised $14,091 for mosquito nets to protect families against malaria.
• We collected 5,700 towels and 31,200 pairs of socks for homeless people in Ft. Worth.