RPGM Explore: A Lifechanging Experience
RPGM Explore is the training course that RP Missions offers to anyone who would like to develop a global Christian lifestyle, and is the course that is required of all people who go on trips with RP Missions. In the course, learners consider the Biblical basis for missions, the need for missionaries and resources to take the gospel to the nations, and ways that they can and should be involved. The paragraphs below were written by April Mann for her RPGM Explore Capstone Project after her RP Missions trip to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. April is an accountant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attends Covenant Fellowship RPC in Wilkinsburg.
Global Christian Lifestyle Plan
Through this training, I have learned and thought about global missions in a way that I never had before. Probably the most pertinent lesson learned is that global mission work is not just a calling for missionaries who leave to do mission work internationally. Global mission work is meant to always involve the Church as a whole. In other words, the other half of the work of GOING in global missions is SENDING. Furthermore, sending is an on-going, intentional effort. While we are called to be missionaries in our own homeland, we are also called to be involved in the mission field abroad through prayer, giving, support, visitation, and numerous other need-fulfilling actions. My intention is to support my calling to global mission work through prayer, giving, and letters.
Each of the lessons in this training speak to a different aspect of mission work. However, common to each of them is that this work called missions must start with one integral piece. Like all aspects of our life, prayer must commence and saturate the work of missions. Romans 15:30-31 says, “I appeal to you brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints....” Paul, in his letter to the Romans, pleads with them to strive together with him, not by physically joining, but through prayer. This is exactly what we are also being called to do with our fellow international missionaries—be active, to come alongside them first by prayer. This being said, it would be appropriate to set up a weekly (or bi-weekly) schedule of prayer for those serving in other countries. I am signed up to get weekly updates from RP Global Missions, which can help organize this schedule.
We are called to be part of the work of global missions in other ways as well. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-13, Paul talks about giving generously, but not just by way of a certain dollar amount. Paul talks in this passage about giving generously in your attitude. That is, he admonishes his audience to give generously with a cheerful, humble heart. He promises that generous giving actually enriches us. With that in mind, looking into the next year (after paying off some debt) I would like to be able to commit to regularly giving an amount of monetary support and an amount of encouraging support. These will be done by monthly payments to RP Missions or RP Global Missions and writing letters on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to a missionary.
I think that at this point in my career by where the Lord has placed me, and by what he has set in front of me to complete, that he is not calling me to be a missionary across seas. However, I pray and would ask for prayer that I would be convicted and mobilized by my call to be a missionary in the field of my workplace. I work in an environment of several other believers, and I hope that this will embolden me (rather than allow me to be lax) to seek out others who may be Christ’s. By the words of Revelation 5 and 7 I am confident that my efforts in this regard are not only absolutely necessary but also absolutely rewarding. Here, the language speaks to the victory and Glory of Christ that is already a reality. Therefore, as it is God’s desire that all people would know him my desire should be directed the same way. That Christ is victorious should take away my fear of bringing the truth to others. For if Christ is already victorious, there is nothing I can do to alter what he has set forth and those whom he has called to himself. Therefore, I can go forth confidently, armed with his Word.
April Mann
Anyone wishing to participate in an RP Missions trip or simply take our RPGM Explore course to enhance their global Christian lifestyle should contact Mikayla Covington at info@rpmissions.org.