Editorials

Led by Irene Núñez (third from right), this Vida GPS “Emmanuel” healthy small group of the West New York Spanish (N.J.) church meets weekly.

Editorial by Jorge Aquero

In the context of the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:16–20, there are very specific details of why the disciples of Jesus must now be connected to His mission. According to the biblical passage, the following points stand out:

1. Jesus’ disciples obey and go to where the Lord commands them—Galilee (Matt. 28:16). Today’s disciples must also obey and go to the mission fields where God indicates.

Photo by mouli choudari from Flickr

Editorial by Ann Reynolds

Most of us have read the book of Genesis and the story of creation many times, but have you ever “read between the lines”? Have you taken the time to pause after each verse to contemplate the magnitude of what our Creator did for us and how He did it? He spoke, and it was created—incredible!

God’s voice is heard in His creation. The first book He gave us was on nature.

Ellen White writes, “We need no fanciful teaching regarding the personality of God. What God desires us to know of Him is revealed in His word and His works. The beautiful things of nature reveal His character and His power as Creator” (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 94).

Editorial by Frank Bondurant

First Chronicles 12:32 mentions the tribe of Issachar who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (NIV). We need Issacharian pastors today who understand the trends and changes in our culture, and who will reach out to and engage people for Christ in relevant ways. Evangelism isn’t a set of skills you learn once and then are universally and always applicable. Evangelism isn’t static because people aren’t static. Our culture and communities aren’t static. They are constantly changing.

Editorial by Joe Navarro / Image by Geralt on Pixabay

As I arrived at the La Esperanza Spanish church (The Church of Hope) in Union City, N.J., one Friday evening for a youth program, the first elder introduced me to Carlos Saltos. He greeted me very kindly and directly said to me, “I’ve been looking for you, Pastor. I need to tell you something that has happened in my life.”

I took him to my office and said, “I’m listening.” Here is the story he shared with me:

In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen R. Covey promoted a principle to be considered by every leader and organization. It was called “First Things First.” Through this idea, he advocated for leaders to focus on what would advance the mission of an organization. “Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities,” Covey wrote. “It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”