Truthfully, though mission-minded and verbally saying to the Lord, "Here I am, send me!" I pretty much ran from VOM in the beginning. The cost faced by those in hostile countries was frightening and, at times, gruesome. I wanted Jesus on my terms. He was welcome to inspire me, even interfering in my life -- to a point. 

I came to realize that making a decision about Jesus is not the same as following Him. We need to both believe and follow. These two are the air and water of faith...one is meaningless without the other. It seems to me the North American church has put the "lion’s share" emphasis on convincing people to believe, without clearly calling them to follow. 

Our main speakers for the September East Coast receptions hail from Iran -- modern-day Persia -- the land of Esther. It is a land rich with history; a history that has repeatedly pressed God’s people to choose between simply believing, and actually following. Come and be reminded, motivated, and moved to follow God using all that He has given you, For Such a Time as This.

By Vanessa Brobbel