11/21/25

This week was the last week before Thanksgiving break for CSUF, but it was a very good week of engagement! In the picture above, you can see me in conversation with the recurring friend of ours at the whiteboard. This is the gentleman who I previously talked with about Catholicism and Protestantism, but this time I tried to steer our conversation in a more pastoral direction as opposed to a more ethereal and theological direction, as I've thoroughly discovered that that endeavor is not edifying or beneficial for anyone. I actually found that we were making quite impressive progress in our conversation, and we were able to arrive at practical steps of application for the situation's need; however, partially due to a tangential topic, and more heavily due to my hesitation to interrupt conversation, we became sidetracked over an irrelevant issue and muddied the previously clear waters of action. This is something that I recognize as a needed place of growth in my ministry engagements - a wisdom and discernment in when something is tangential, and more importantly for me, a boldness to steer the conversation back to the primary issue at hand. This is part of the art of facilitating conversations: being able to manage and cultivate good conversations by avoiding things which distract from the conversational goal. We had certainly discussed the practical steps to take in addressing the unique situation he was in, but the concrete was still setting when we changed topics. I trust that the Holy Spirit will do His job in bringing to remembrance the words of Christ and convicting people towards righteousness, so I don't lose sleep over this instance; however, as a steward of my ministry engagements, I desire to work efficiently and with singularity of vision. I take comfort in the sovereignty of God and the power of His Spirit to work in my weakness, and I pray that His power might work greater in me, to sharpen me as a more effective laborer in His field. The Bible seems to describe a ministerial relationship where we rest in God's sovereignty and simultaneously respond in our autonomy - and I'm thankful for that!

In the other photo above, you can see a picture from the first Exballo Fellowship gathering we had this week! This is a relaxed gathering where those ministering in God's harvest can come together for encouragement, equipping, and prayer for the harvest. The delicious restaurant Avalon Bagels to Burgers has graciously welcomed us to use their space after they close in the evening, and we are very grateful for such a blessing and hospitality! We opened our first meeting with a focus on Luke 10:2 where Jesus commands His disciples to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to exballo (cast out) workers into the harvest field. The word "exballo" that Jesus uses here is important as it is the same way Jesus describes exorcisms. In the same way impure spirits are cast out of a person, so we are to pray that God casts out workers into His harvest. The English translations don't always seem to paint a fair picture of what Jesus was saying as this is a quite forceful experience. The demons didn't have a choice to go when Jesus cast them out; similarly, we are commanded to pray earnestly that God might cast workers out into the harvest. This is simply a command of God. If you follow the story in Luke 10, you will see that the disciples to which Jesus was speaking became part of the answer to their own prayer. If we imitate Jesus and obey His commands, we will necessarily pray with vigor for more workers and also follow Jesus into the harvest to work. Jesus started by acknowledging how great the harvest was, and it was because of that reality that Jesus said we ought to pray with great earnestness that God would give us more hands for the job. How silly would it be to see a huge task at hand, pray that God meets that need, and then refuse to join the effort? I think that many people today, myself at times included, don't realize how great the harvest truly is around us. I feel that if we could have our eyes opened to this reality, we would all the more awakened to the commands of Jesus to join the harvest earnestly and pray for God to send more hands. There is no shortage of work to be done; just of hands to do it.

Our time together was very refreshing as we encouraged each other in life and ministry, fellowshipped sincerely together, prayed together, worshipped together, and engaged with God's word together. Nothing complex or flashy really, but a place of gathering for those we minister with and minister to throughout the week at CSUF and beyond. We pray that this gathering might continue to be edifying and strengthening for the Body of Christ as we engage together in the harvest field and pray for more coworkers in the great harvest around us!