The MAF Blog: Worldwide Pulse

Posts Tagged ‘ceo’

Teachable Moments

Posted on: June 7th, 2011 by John Boyd |

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

There’s usually a healthy discomfort that comes with seeing extravagant wealth juxtaposed with abject poverty. It’s troubling enough when we know it’s going on thousands of miles away. But when a short 10-minute drive reveals two vastly different ends of the economic spectrum, it brings up plenty of questions.

While in South Africa with my family this spring, our children were confronted with the grim reality of deep poverty. We drove through posh sections of Cape Town only to travel three miles further down the road to witness the absolute squalor of some townships. It created plenty of opportunities to discuss those challenging questions that we grapple with during our journey of faith.

We used our experience not only to immerse our children in another culture but also to teach them a few things about the character of God, starting with his sovereignty. We also talked with them about God’s grace and His mercy. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be in the same situation as the many people we saw, except for His mercy in our lives. When the “Why?” questions came, we were able to explain that what happened is the result of living in a fallen world where the greed and selfishness of man has created this terrible situation.

I enjoyed watching my children awaken to the heart of God, responding with mercy and love toward those they encountered who had obvious need. They wanted to help everyone. And while that was simply impossible, we were able to talk about ways to truly help others and what that looks like.

Those are the moments that excite you as a parent. It’s thrilling to see the stirring of your children’s hearts as they begin to move in sync with God’s own heart.

MAF Monthly Podcast, June 2011

Posted on: June 6th, 2011 by MAF |

MAF President and CEO John Boyd talks about many things including MAF missionaries and how they share the Gospel beyond their “normal” jobs.

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God’s Economy of Mercy

Posted on: May 25th, 2011 by John Boyd |

“You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” – Psalm 39:5-7

In our industrialized society, economy is driven by the fair exchange of currency for goods or services. It makes sense that it would work that way. But in God’s upside down Kingdom, our rational rules don’t always apply—particularly when it comes to the economy of His mercy.

Giving up control of our lives for God’s mercy is about as unfair a trade as you can get. Even when we are following God, we still fall short time and again. And then you meet those people who no one but God could have hope for—and realize just how endless His mercy is.

When I was visiting South Africa recently, I met a man named Mario. Before he met Christ in a dramatic way, Mario was struggling in a toxic environment in South Africa. His family was forced to move out of Cape Town and into Cape Flats, a sandy plains area just outside of the city. It was apartheid at its worst.

Mario and Me

When Mario was eight years old, his father died in a gas explosion, leaving him fatherless and his mother a widow. Mario soon turned to the streets for friendships and wound up in a gang. It wasn’t long before he was immersed in the culture, just a step away from being murdered or dead from drug usage.

However, through God’s providence, Mario’s heart was touched by God in a way that was absolutely radical. Mario had no self-worth, but he came to realize how much God loved him. After his first child was born, he made the decision to radically follow Christ.

Today, Mario wanders the gang-riddled neighborhoods in search of boys who want to be rescued from a life of drugs and crime. He has created a football (soccer) program, intended to reach out to these boys.

As I listened to Mario share his story, the biggest thing I took away was this: In spite of who we are as humans, and in spite of who Mario was, what he did, and what he allowed to happen, Jesus radically transformed his life. Mario is now helping young folks in South Africa break that terrible cycle of poverty and crime. It excites me to see a man like that—with very little education and absolutely nothing going for him from a human perspective—become a community leader and change lives.

It’s remarkable what God will do with our lives when we follow and trust Him. No matter who you are and where you are, if you have a relationship with Jesus you can make a difference in people’s lives if you truly want to.

How is Jesus transforming your life?

MAF Monthly Podcast, May 2011

Posted on: May 15th, 2011 by MAF |

“Bridge to Translation” – This month’s podcast features John Boyd discussing MAF’s role in translating the Bible for isolated people.

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Getting an Earful from God

Posted on: May 9th, 2011 by John Boyd |

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. – Proverbs 8:33-35

Good leadership begins with a good understanding of what it means to be a follower, particularly a follower of Christ. We have to be very aware that seasons in our lives will come and go. Change is the only constant. As a result, we need to listen carefully to what God is speaking to us – and obey.

Recently on a trip back to South Africa, I spoke at a handful of events about what God is doing through MAF around the world. Many people who attended were awestruck to learn about the size and breadth and depth of this ministry. They seemed to respond favorably toward how God is using MAF to reach isolated people through aviation and technology.

But during the question-and-answer time at the end of each presentation, the underlying question behind what people asked me was very revealing. Essentially, they wanted to know one thing: As a leader, how do I know where God is leading me personally, and that my decisions regarding MAF are in line with what God wants?

While prayer plays the largest role in my decision making, other things also help me sort out where we need to go, particularly when I’m short on time and a decision must be made immediately. I ask myself these three questions:

Is it God-honoring?
Is it morally correct?
Are we achieving the mandate of MAF?

This filter helps me weed through many decisions, clarifying immediately if I even need to entertain an idea. After that, I ask additional questions. How do I see the Lord orchestrating circumstances and people I am interacting with? And how does that fit into the sense of what I see God doing in my life and in the organization I lead?

So, whether you are contemplating tough decisions as a father or a mother or a husband or a wife or a student or a son or a daughter, reflect on what God is doing in your life. Does the pathway before you present you with an option to go deeper into what God is doing in your life? Or does it give you an opportunity to go elsewhere, somewhere you’ve been feeling that you needed to go for a while?

No matter how you come to your decision, make sure that ample time is spent praying and listening to God, especially regarding life-altering opportunities. Listening – it’s what a good follower does best.