A BIBLICAL MODEL FOR MISSIONS:

Jesus had spent just over three years teaching and preaching that the Kingdom of God had come, and was among men. As John would write, the Kingdom had come because the King Himself has dwelt among us. As this message of the King and Kingdom spread, the world was turned upside down. The religious leaders were stunned by this sort of language that God would take on flesh and tabernacle among men. Those who were cut off and strangers to God were now being called in, and beckoned to come into the Kingdom. This message of God coming to men and making a way for all to enter the Kingdom was the message of the Gospel (euangelion); the Good News. And what Good News it is.

OUR MODEL FOR A BIBLICAL MISSION ORGANIZATION:

When a fearful and confused group of 120 followers of Christ gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to pray shortly before Pentecost all those years ago, there was very little they knew for sure about what was ahead. They had the promises of Jesus, and the angel had said that Jesus would return in the same way they saw Him leave, but they had no idea when that would be. They knew that Jesus had said: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" but none of them knew when the end would come. They knew that when the Spirit came, they would receive power and that they would be witnesses for Christ from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, but none of them could possibly know how it would come to be.

As you follow the first church through the book of Acts, what you see is an astounding account of God's sovereign, miraculous, and Spirit-filled work in the lives of His people. You see unimaginable difficulty and affliction mingled with unbelievable grace and fulfillment of God's promises. In this fast-paced, drama-filled narrative, you see the most amazing works of God to establish His Church, sustain His people, expand His Kingdom, and spread His Gospel. You see all of this through fallen, inexperienced, and terribly flawed characters. What we see is God doing what He does best. We see God guiding by His Spirit, working by His sovereign plan and purpose, so that all will see our God saves, and He alone deserves the glory. In short, you see God leading His people in the way they should go. That is our story as well.

"in short, you see god leading his people in the way they should go."

As God Continued to Lead, A Clear Path Began to Take Shape.

Surrounded by the counsel of pastors and close friends, the Cope Family began exploring and praying about potential mission boards and avenues they might take in their steps of obedience. Once again, for all of the uncertainties there were several things that were clear:

• God was leading to a life of commitment to full-time missionary service among the Nations.

• The path ahead would require much preparation and devotion.

• The work could not be done alone.

• God would be faithful to lead and provide all that was necessary to complete this work He had begun in them.

Rickey and Amy would enroll in Seminary, continue working their job, serving their church, and spend as much time possible speaking to mission boards, missionaries, and others to pray through every potential opportunity the Lord might have. Following the example of the church in Antioch in the book of Acts, they sought to find a Biblical pattern for their lives and ministry of missions. In Acts 13, the group of leaders in the church "fasted and prayed" after they were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and sent off Paul (then still called Saul) and Barnabas as missionaries. Acts records this church's support of these missionaries through prayer, physical support, financial support, and through being a body that loved and supported the work of the missionaries. Repeatedly, Paul and his team would return to Antioch and share what God had done through the work and support of that local body. With every interview and every interaction, the Copes were seeking this kind of partnership, support, and accountability.

"There were easier paths, but only one was right."

Over the following months, several opportunities arose that seemed to be potential paths for the Cope Family. God had given them a clear direction for their specific ministry and where they were to serve. Through much prayer, several international trips, and a sovereignly aligned friendship, God led them to an unreached and unengaged people group in the country of Guatemala. They now knew where they would be, and God was birthing a vision and purpose for their ministry and work among the people in Chiquimula.

Gospel to the Nations was born with a singular purpose: Take the Gospel to the unreached and unengaged through Gospel centered relationship, community, preaching and teaching, church planting, and multiplication. We seek the glory of God in a people "rooted and built up in Him" (Col. 2:7).

Rickey, Amy, Macey and Bodey Cope would be the first family sent through Gospel to the Nations. From there, the vision was to trust the Lord to lead others to join in the vision and purpose of GTTN. The vision is not just to bring on missionaries to send to the Nations, but specifically, to equip, train, and send out missionaries from the Nations were our missionaries are serving. These were just some of the goals for the corporation. But first, we needed to become a corporation.

When it comes to our God, the chances of everything happening the way it happens is always 100%. The process for IRS approval to become a recognized nonprofit (501c3) charitable organization, is an extensive process. In speaking with others who had gone through this process, many had warned that it can be a very lengthy and stressful task. When the Copes first began the paperwork they understood why. Some said it could take years to complete if there were issues. Most people recommended to be prepared for at least a year. Anything less would be a miracle. When God began to draw Rickey and Amy Cope to the work of full-time missions, there was very little they knew for sure about what was ahead. But steps of obedience are never wasted. The approval process didn't take a year. It didn't take six months. It took less than six months. What are the chances?

Now, the work begins:

Gospel to the Nations, Inc. has formed a Board of Directors to provide oversight and direction to our Mission Partners. We are currently working with the Cope Family in their journey to fulfill the vision that God has for them. We are praying about how to best minister to the Copes and the people that they will serve in Guatemala.

We are also praying for the days ahead. We are seeking God for wisdom in our next steps. We are believing God to honor each step of obedience and expand our coasts for the sake of the Gospel. Our goal is to see the "peoples praise" Our God, "all the peoples" praise Him! We pray with Psalmist: "Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the people with equity and guide the nations upon the earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!" (Ps. 67:3-5).

We know that in God's sovereign and global purpose, this begins with us. It is because God has been "gracious to us" and has blessed us, and made "His face to shine upon us". In His grace and mercy He has blessed us this way for one reason: "that Your (His) way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all the Nations." (Ps. 67:1,2).

This is who we are, what we do and how it came to be. This is why we exist. We are Gospel to the Nations.