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What is From Word to World all about?

This coming January, I have the privilege of serving Christ in Indonesia. As part of a fundraising venture for the trip, I'll be reading and blogging through the entire Bible. You're invited to eavesdrop in on my journey through Scripture, pray for my trip, or even partner with me financially as I prepare to follow Christ through his Word into his world.

A trip to Indonesia? What exactly will you be doing?

Along with eight others from Whitworth University, I will be serving in Indonesia under the auspices of Partners International, a Spokane-based missions organization. Since 1943, Partners International has come alongside indigenous ministries working in difficult fields around the world, a unique missions model that supports rather than competes with or dictates to the preexisting ministry efforts of local believers.

During the entire month of January 2013, our team will be serving an Indonesian ministry (unnamed for security reasons) that establishes libraries around the country designed to build literacy and English-language skills as a form of outreach. Our team will teach English and put on events at these libraries so that we can connect students with our Indonesian ministry partners, who can then build long-term relationships aimed at sharing Christ.

I go not as a spiritual superhero (ha!) but as a humble servant and an eager learner. It is a holy honor for me to witness Christ's redemption of people from every tribe and tongue and nation, even in Indonesia—which with a Muslim population of nearly 187 million is the world's largest Islamic country. I am also thrilled about what this trip means for Whitworth, which has historically lacked a strong emphasis on global missions. This trip is the first of its kind in nearly a decade, and I pray earnestly that my team will return from Indonesia with a desire to exalt missions on our campus.

I have to raise $3,200 for the trip. However, instead of resorting to ordinary fundraising methods, I've decided to invite friends and family to join me in a unique fundraising venture based on reading the Bible.

Fundraising by reading the Bible? How does that work?

Here's the gig: beginning July 5, I'm going to start reading the entire Bible. Meanwhile, I'm inviting friends and family to sponsor me reading through Scripture at a rate of their choosing. For example, my Bible has roughly 1,000 pages (rounded down for the sake of convenience). If you choose to sponsor me at $0.05 per page, I would earn $50 for my trip; if $0.10 per page, $100; so on and so forth.

Sample Donations
(rate per page x 1,000 pages of Scripture = total donation)

Why fundraise by reading the Bible?

Good question! First, I want to take ownership of my trip. This trip matters enough to me that I want to set aside a significant chunk of time to working toward it. Moreover, if I am going to ask others to commit to supporting me, I want to commit myself even more to Christ by studying his Word.

Second, the Bible matters. I long to have a heart after God's own. How can I know his character unless I read what he has written about himself? How can I honor him unless I walk in his precepts recorded in Scripture? How can I stand for him unless I wield the sword of the Spirit, "which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)?

Third, I read in the Bible that "All Scripture" makes the man of God "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Even though I will prepare for Indonesia through workshops, missionary training handbooks, and study of Indonesian language and culture, this passage means that God's primary tool for preparing his followers to serve him is Scripture. Indeed, I can testify that an increased knowledge of Scripture has equipped me to be a better evangelist, a better apologist, and a better servant. If I want to be equipped for Indonesia, what better way than to go "from word to world?"

I'd love to support you! What do I do?

Most importantly, I would appreciate your prayers. Click on the Prayer tab for more information.

If you would like to support my trip financially, click this link to go to my fundraising page at the Partners International website. You can decide at what rate to sponsor me, and make an easy tax-deductible donation through Partners' secure online system.

Should I donate now or wait till you've finished reading the whole Bible?

Because I pray that I'll be able to accomplish most of my fundraising this summer, I am asking contributors to make their donations now, before I finish all my reading. Otherwise, I won't know until September whether I've met my goal, a difficult burden to shoulder once the busyness of school starts up again.

What happens if you raise more than your $3,200 goal?

We are fundraising as a team. Any extra proceeds will go toward another team member.

How can I stay informed about your trip?

One thing you can do is subscribe to my blog—just enter your email address into the sidebar at the top of this page. Moreover, I would be overjoyed to speak with anybody and everybody about my trip, about missions, or about what God has done in my life. Please feel free to contact me at (253) 777-9918, or shoot me an email at mjbouterse@gmail.com.

Thanks and God bless!

2 comments:

  1. Wow this is great! I am so excited to read along and learn as you learn. I also have my fingers crossed for a rap rivaling that of Holy War!

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  2. Good for you, Michael. What a neat idea! It's clear you've got your heart set in the right place to prepare for the trip. Know that I'll be praying for you and the others on the team. I hope you hear God speak to you when you're reading, and I look forward to reading what He said.

    Emily

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