One Body - Newsletter

"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

Romans 12:5

Jesus gave us a new mandate before He was crucified: “love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Though the world is often a complex place, Jesus’ core message is a simple one. He made it about “one another,” a sense of unity, tandem, togetherness, giving up of oneself for someone else. Very simple—but it is by no means easy. Loving one another is, by my estimation, the hardest thing to do.

If we try to understand this message through the lens of the world, we end up with a twisted goal: how can we make it easier to love each other? As is our human tendency, we try to concoct perfected methods by which showing Christ’s love will be seamless. Unfortunately, it does not work that way. His love cannot be controlled or formulated into our image. His love is not something we can grasp; rather, it grasps us.

I have no problem with a form or method that points one to the love of Christ. Truly, without the Church and the Bible, I would not know Him like I do. However, I often see people lazily depend on the form and forget to pursue the substance. Paul writes it the best: "If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge...but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).

What is a body if it has no soul? Form is fleeting. We must see through the lens of eternity—through the eyes of Jesus.

Jesus didn’t spend His time on earth with everyone; as a human, He focused on His relationships with twelve people. He showed us the importance of personal relationships. This is how we show love like He did: one person at a time. Personal connection and investment is the beginning of so many great stories of faith. Stepping into this next chapter, I believe relationships, rather than people groups, will need to be the focus of the mission field. Go Forth has been moving in that direction for some time, and I am eager to tell you how things are going.

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Our discipleship projects aimed at creatives who need to know their Creator are focused on building community, and the groundwork is laid.

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For Go Forth Ministry, Christ’s mission is our mission. “Love one another” is our best outreach tool. It is guided by Him alone, not my preconceptions, systems, desires or failures—of which there are too many to count. His call to togetherness is what drives our call to the mission field; “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Leading by example, our unity in the Body of Christ can pull people out of disillusionment, isolation and despair, and into newness with Him.

As always, we are so grateful for your support. God has provided for us, time and time again, so that we can continue to do the good work He has prepared for us to do. Because we know that He has come through in the past, we can move forward with boldness. May God bless GFM as we do His work, and may His will be done in all things!

In Christ,

Jaren & Katee Baer

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