“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!’ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25–29) That’s a powerful question. I have seen in my own life that I try to justify my actions and inactions by attempting to limit who my neighbor is.

The Great Commission, which is Cru’s mission, is “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) God called Robin and me 25 years ago to serve him in a global ministry that shares the gospel to all the nations – every race, ethnicity, language group, etc.

God has poured in us a love and compassion for every race. Jesus prayed, “I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:23) This love and unity doesn’t always come naturally so we pray that “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

To effectively share the gospel, we can’t ignore racism. Over the years, Robin and I continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of ethnicity and race through training and experiences in our ministry with Cru. There are great books that can help you better understand racism in America. I’m currently reading “The Color of Compromise” by Jemar Tisby, which is a very convicting look at the American church’s complicity in racism. Here is a good article on everystudent.com that explains Martin Luther King Jr’s solution to racism: everystudent.com/features/dream.html.

I liked this quote I saw in an email recently, “Our nation is seeking to be free of two diseases, one of the body (COVID) and one of the heart (racial injustice).” It is evident that these two diseases are wreaking havoc on our nation. Pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit the body of Christ will show and share the gospel of his love, forgiveness, and reconciliation to our world that is drowning in hate and divisiveness.

Please pray for Robby, Annie, and Rowan as Robby looks for a new job and they decide when they will move back to the states from New Zealand. They miss family and friends. Thank you for your partnership with us in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a lost and hurting world.

Yours in Christ,

Steve & Robin