A number of years ago I preached a message titled “The Glory of God in Missions” in Flagstaff, AZ.  It is definitely a “theological type” message but a number of people commented on how it helped them clarify some of their thinking about “Missions.”  I have my personal definition of “Missions” (probably a bit too simple for some); here it is . . . “Missions is the continuing work of God’s people, individually and corporately, in completing their responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission to the glory of God.”  The focus of the message was not expanding on the “What?” of missions but the “Why?” of missions; which I believe is to be for the glory of God.  God’s glory and “missions” starts in the Old Testament but my favorite New Testament passage is Rom. 16:25-27 . . . “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever.  Amen”

If God’s glory is the eternal “big picture” of missions, as I believe it is, then APT Ministries is NOT first and foremost about “numbers” though numbers can frame our understanding of what God is doing so that we give Him glory.  What God has done through APT Ministries and is continuing to do helps you, me, thousands of pastors and church leaders in Africa, and multiplied thousands in their churches who are blessed and strengthened in their faith through the training their pastors and teachers have received . . . to “see God bigger” resulting in His glory! 

Currently, as a ministry, we are at somewhat of a “numbers crossroad.”  Our philosophy of ministry has led us to the point that we have “national trainers” certified in enough countries to train 10,000 a year, minimum.  Our “minimum” is determined by the need for each training team in each country to conduct at least 6 workshops a year so that each team can stay “current” in their experience of teaching the Thompson Bible workshop.  Seeing 10,000 trained annually will abound to His glory, not to man’s planning or strategy.  However, growth cannot be our primary goal.  If “growth” becomes our ultimate goal, then we are missing the eternal perspective of His glory.  If “growth” is achieved in any way outside of the Lord’s will or ways then God’s glory is lessened.  Fulfilling the need to train 10,000 a year must be in God’s time and in God’s way to His glory and name.  Consequently, “funding” is an ongoing reality

Our funding falls into two main categories . . . Bibles and workshop expenses.  In addition to our current annual level of giving we will need an additional $500,000.00 annually to train a minimum of 10,000 a year.  Only God can do this for us!  But in the meantime, I am praying for and working toward developing possible avenues to raise the awareness of the need for training pastors in Africa and the significance of what APT Ministries is doing.

At this time we have trained over 33,000 pastors and leaders through the Thompson Bible workshops.  What glory would be given to God if this number could grow by 10,000 every year!

Chuck Ballard