Welcome to the first monthly email blog for The Unity Hope Project. You may know me from my work with Alpha, if so welcome to The Unity Hope Project. This will be our longest email blog because it lays the foundation for what you can expect each month—so thanks for reading through it.
I’m dying…please pick up the baton
I turn 71 next month—stats say I’ll live until 80. Before long, my race will be finished.
The title “I’m dying” may be why you opened this email.
The truth behind that title gives me a deep, God-given urgency I cannot ignore.
God has graciously allowed me to share Jesus and watch many people come alive in Him—what Ephesians 4:11–13 describes as the work of an evangelist. But the deeper calling is not just to share the gospel. It’s to equip, encourage, and challenge you to go and do likewise.
I’m “dying,” and before I go, I long to see many more people pick up the baton and intentionally carry the gospel to those who need Jesus. I hope you’re one of those people.
Why call this blog “Living on Planet Witness”?
I work out at Planet Fitness. A friend started calling it my “Planet Witness”—a place where I can build relationships with people who do not yet know Jesus.
We all have our own “Planet Witness” spaces—work, school, gym, neighborhood, family, sports team…
These are the places where you live your everyday life—places where God is already moving in hearts, already drawing people to Himself, and inviting you to join Him as His witness.
My prayer is that this monthly blog will encourage, strengthen, and challenge you to live faithfully in your own “Planet Witness” spaces.
Why live on Planet Witness? Three reasons:
Obedience – Jesus has commanded His followers to go and make disciples until He returns. If you belong to Him, this is not someone else’s calling. It is yours.
For our own good – When you begin building real relationships with people who do not know Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes you. As you learn to love the people He loves, your heart begins to look more like His. Your priorities shift. Your love deepens. As we lose our lives for His sake, we discover what He calls real life.
For the joy – Not long ago, I sat with a high school student who wanted to know more about Jesus. As we talked, he prayed and surrendered his life to Him. Then, with tears in his eyes, he said, “Now I know I’m loved.” Seeing his joy made all that Jesus promises profoundly and freshly real. We live on Planet Witness for the joy of seeing God’s love and mercy change the lives of others.
With tears in his eyes, he said, “Now I know I’m loved.”
In closing
Let me end by encouraging you to pray for God’s wisdom and courage as you step into your “Planet Witness” spaces and discover where God is already at word in the lives of those around you. You’ll be surprised with what you discover.