AESA Team Leader, Greg Smerdon Speaks

April 13, 2006
Greg Smerdon

Dear Partners in the gospel,

I trust this publication finds you well and still reflecting and reminiscing on the grand triumph of the Easter story. It deeply warms my heart that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were greeted by these astounding words: "Don't be alarmed," [the angel] said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6

To all who belong to the household of faith, this past season on the Christian calendar ought to arouse a deep appreciation for our costly salvation. The early church did not hold back, even in the face of adversity. They boldly wielded the resurrection battle axe and thus the “Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Act 2:47b.

Today, Jesus and the Godhead are still gently and graciously sounding the clarion call: “Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Isaiah 6:8b. The question, however, is: Are there many soldiers of the cross still willing to profess “Here am I send me!”? How easy it is for us to become engrossed in the works of the Lord while neglecting the Lord of the works. When we lack intimacy we see men as trees instead of precious souls going to a Christ-less eternity. My desire is that He would make us “God chasers”; for out of a passion for God flows great compassion for the lost.

Our prayer and calling as a ministry is to use every ounce of energy, talent, gifting and resources the Lord provides us, to effectively “Evangelise [and disciple] the cities of Africa.” The Father is seeking a self-less generation that will walk in the mission and embrace the inheritance delivered to us through the promise made to our brother Abraham: “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,” Genesis 22:17

The hour is urgent, the season is now for “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise”. Proverbs 11:30. Our nation is degenerating morally and we need to sound the trumpet and call our current and future leaders to return to the “Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.” 1 Peter 2:25. This is our moment, I dare you to allow the Lord to make you a Daniel and enjoy the privilege of being a co-worker with Christ for “Those who are wise shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3.

The apostle Paul expresses the cry of many a heart through these profound words “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.” Philippines 3:10(KJV). May the days that lie ahead of you be filled with abundant grace and opportunities where you can seize the defining moment and share the love of God in the power of His resurrection.

In the service of our saviour and Lord
Greg