Ben Armacost's blog

(The following was prepared for the CityReach Europe email distribution, April 2020)

Life is full of difficulties.  If you are a devoted follower of Jesus, you probably understand that those difficulties don’t go away at conversion.  Tough times and opposition are part of a disciple’s life!  We often call this spiritual warfare, as we recognize that these things come from an enemy who wants to destroy us (John 10.10a).  

Church planting movements are the result of the Holy Spirit working through faithful men and women around the world who are sharing the gospel boldly and making disciples that make disciples.  Here is an excerpt from the most recent prayer bulletin sent out by the 24:14 prayer network:

Two specific markers are used to determine whether or not a CPM is happening in a UPG:

When Judy and I were first married, we lived in a mobile home. Despite the bad reputation of “trailer park” living, it was highly affordable and opened wonderful doors for ministry. Long before we bought it, our mobile home was pulled in behind a truck and backed into place. Workers situated it on concrete supports and removed wheels, so technically it was no longer mobile. Believe it or not, 36 years later our “no-longer-mobile home” teaches me a valuable lesson.

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men”  - Mark 1.16-17 (ESV)

Jesus beckoned a couple of ordinary fishermen to follow Him and to learn how to catch people for the Kingdom. Among those men was Peter, who would become the most well-known among the disciples. Despite his many mistakes and oft-ailing faith during his time with Jesus, this man would go on to spread the gospel message widely.

April 29, 1975 was a significant day in history.  It was the day that a young man named Bill arrived in Thailand with his wife and 2 daughters to begin their missionary career.  

However, you're more likely to remember this date as the day Saigon fell to Communist forces, bringing to an end the long and painful conflict known as the Vietnam War.  Because of this major political crisis, many people--including missionaries who served in Vietnam--fled the country to take refuge in nearby Thailand.

Living in London has changed my perspective on driving.

When I took driver’s education in Maryland back in 1978, our instructors repeatedly urged us to be “defensive drivers,” that is, to anticipate dangers and avoid disasters. I understood what this meant, but I must admit that I was more preoccupied with the wonderful freedom of getting around than with safety. How wonderful it was to have wheels and the ability to get from one place to another! When I got married and had children, my attitude began to change as I began toting precious cargo with me.

If there was just one thing about being a follower of Jesus that we didn’t like, it would probably be suffering. After all, the Old Testament is replete with promises of prosperity, health, and good living for those who are faithful and true to the Lord. But then, we reach the New Testament era and realize that people who follow Jesus often suffer greatly at the hands of unbelievers and religious loyalists. Trouble and persecution are a key part of the lives of Jesus and His disciples, all the way through the Acts narrative.