the accidental missionary

Because I started out in ministry at a young age (20) and with little training (none) I have always taken advantage of every opportunity I get to hang out with and learn from people who are ahead of me in this race. When I heard Pastor Hayford was in town, I offered to buy him a cup of coffee at our neighborhood Starbucks. One thing led to another, and somehow I got him to give my ENLI School of World Mission class 90 minutes this morning on his way to his final meetings before flying back to Seattle tonight.

For the past 11 years, Dr. Jim Hayford, has pastored Eastside Foursquare Church, a mega-church in an affluent Seattle surburb. This wealthy surburban American baby boomer church has invested over 1 million US dollars to plant churches in some of the poorest squatter areas in Metro Manila. Pastor Hayford comes to Manila several times each year to help equip FIlipino pastors who serve the poorest of the poor. More than 500 Eastside Foursquare Church members have joined short-term mission trips to help with this ministry to the poor. Pastor Hayford said that this mission ministry to Manila's poor has caused revival in his Seattle church.

As Pastor Hayford spoke from his heart about God's love and compassion for the poor, I think every man and woman in the room was having some kind of spiritual heart surgery. Hard hearts were being softened and sensitive hearts were breaking for the plight of the poor.

What is the responsibility of a rich person, a rich church or a rich nation to the poor? According to Pastor Hayford, it is not all that complicated - just "go around doing good."

In Acts 10:38, Peter described Jesus' ministry this way: "He went around doing good..."

If that is what ministry is, then sign me up. I think we can all go around doing some good. More from Pastor Hayford later.