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Passion For Souls
Written by Peter Youngren on January 13, 2009Passion for souls is a rare commodity. Let’s define the word. Passion is zeal, deep concern. In my blog last week, I talked about the value of a soul. I contrasted it with the emphasis we put on feeding the hungry, church buildings, programs for those who are already believers in Christ and humanitarian aid. These worldly projects receive multiplied billions of dollars, while very little is invested for the salvations of souls. Does that mean that I’m uncaring about people’s physical and material needs? Not at all. I’m grateful that United Nations, The World Health Organization, UNESCO, the US and Canadian governments, European governments, and a whole list of NGOs (Christians and others), who are relieving poverty. I believe it has helped many, and even lifted some out of poverty.
My concern is for the eternal souls of people. Every human being on earth has the potential of being stirred with the humanitarian needs of others. Who among us does not feel a mixture of anger and love raise up, as we see starving children? But here is my point: The only ones with a potential to care for the salvation of souls are those, who have already experienced the salvation of Jesus Christ. If, as is the case now, born again Christians devote more than 95 % of their resources to only meet physical and humanitarian needs, then very little resources are left to care for the souls of people. That was my point in last week’s blog, “Who cares for my soul?” I’m not speaking to the population at large. I know that they will not understand this concern to get the Gospel to everyone. I’m speaking to those who have already benefitted from the salvation that Jesus Christ provided at the cross of Calvary 2000 years ago.
Has Jesus been a benefit to you? Do you have assurance that your sins are forgiven? Has this improved your life? Have you had a taste of what it means that Christ lives in you? Do you feel that your salvation is valuable? Is it worth giving to others? The apostles 2000 years ago felt that what they had received from Jesus was so valuable, that they were willing to give their lives for its propagation.
Those who work for the humanitarian needs of people have access to billions of dollars, and over a decade trillions of dollars, while those who deal with souls for people deal with tens, hundreds or maybe a thousand dollar gift, now and then. I’m calling for the passion for souls to return to the church. Jesus said: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul”. Do you agree with Jesus? Is a soul worth as much as the wealth of the whole world?
If a person is starving, giving him a bowl of rice is certainly of value, though that bowl will be gone tomorrow. Even better, give someone an education, whereby they can get a job and support themselves. Great! But what’s the point of giving someone a bowl of rice or education, roof over their head and a good family life without their souls being saved?
The soul is eternal. Our money reaches far. With 10 000 monthly partner sharing $ 30 or more each month I can promise you that 2 – 3 million souls would receive Jesus each year. Our track record for decades has been that for not much more than a dollar we can reach someone who doesn’t know Jesus. And not only reach them but also give them follow up material. World Impact Ministries still has a long way to go to 10 000 monthly committed partners. Will you be one of them? How do you see the value of a soul? Do you think it matters whether the people hear the Good News of Jesus or not? Let me know.
Peter
Vivian Usselman
~ St. Catharines, ON
I agree with you 100% Peter. I would love to go preach the Gospel wherever…I guess I’ll have to settle for Canada for now…Going back to Regina soon…when I get an income again, I’ll be a partner! Thanking Jesus, you and all my new friends here for the love and acceptance given to me! I’ll never forget you all! Vivian
Cho
~ One of the planets
How is it that God has so many houses, yet there are so many homeless people.?A lot of these people are good God fearing Christians.
Geoff T
~ Somewhere in the earth.
Mr Youngren
Religion is a HUGE crime against humanity ... I am getting impatient waiting for the inevitable end of all false-god religions - they are a total insult to our intelligence and wonderful SCIENCE ...
I am a highly evolved, intelligent Atheist, proud and bold enough to STAND UP and LOUDLY accuse the disgusting pope of crimes against humanity for supporting the EVIL catholic brand-name of religious cults while millions starve and suffer .... and all the time there is NO god .... absolutely CRIMINAL.. !!
religion is a form of mental illness ... religion impedes progress. You are smart man. Better than Mr Youngren!!
Joshua Duffy
~ Cambodia
Nice comments “Son”. Why are you hiding your identity?
PVT
~ Ontario
Hey Geoff,
You sound pretty angry at religion and tout science as wonderful. I agree that science is wonderful, but there are a great many things science cannot explain. Hundreds of years ago scientists claimed that the world was flat and that the sun revolved around the earth but that was proven wrong as knowledge grew. Knowledge is still growing my friend and some things current scientists claim as ‘fact’ may be proven otherwise in time. You state you are highly evolved, from what? Evolution is as much a belief system as any religion. Science doesn’t ‘prove’ evolution - it merely ‘theorizes’ about it - it’s ALL theory.
Also, you seem to blame religion for not helping starving people - tell me, what has science done? Nothing. Scientists don’t care about starving people any more or less than anyone else. With modern day science as it is, there is no need for anyone to starve to death yet thousands die every day - where is your wonderful science for these people? Science is more about making $$$ than finding a cure for anything? When was the last disease actually ‘cured’? About 40 years ago. Since then all science has been used for in a medical sense is creating drugs to treat symptoms because there is no money in creating cures.
Jo-Anne M. Sampson
~ Sydney Mines Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada
Dear Pastor Peter..I received salvation for my soul in 1998 at the age of 40 and value Jesus free gift to me very much and to the world. I am happy my soul is saved. In regards to your ministry you see the utmost need for people to hear the gospel, and I thank you for teaching and preaching grace to souls. The Good News of Jesus must be priority I am coming to understand.I can testify after 20 years working in palliative care and 10 of them as a born again believer, that in the end stage of life or even days or precious hours left nothing else matters, like peace with Father God. I have worked with the poorest and millionaries all over this country and when they are on their death bed whether.. there is food in their bellies or money in their hands is not their cry for comfort. I give them excellant physical care but It is not enough. It is crystal clear in these times we bring nothing in the world and can take nothing out of ourself. I could write a book on my work experiences and how faithfull Jesus is to the one private soul .Your right! Jesus loves souls. Whether the souls are in a mass festival or one on one the benefits of investing our hearts and money on the grace gospel is eternal and needs life giving attention .Your a wise man Pastor. I will increase my budget to your ministry.Jesus help us give cheerfully and not with selective mercy but with abundance . Lets keep working to get the word out…grace for ALL SOULS… YES WE CAN AND JESUS HAS!
Hagere
Hi Geoff
Have you ever stood by a magnificent mountain, and feel small? Then you’ve been reminded of that you don’t hold your world on your hands?
Have you been to the Rockies in Canada?. I looked at the sheer magnificence of it all and I said to myself, “How can anyone see all this and say there is no God?” Really incredible feeling! God bless you Geoff.
God bless you all.
BASSEY
~ Zaria
I know deep inside of me that i have a calling to go.I attended your festival at zaria in Nigeria and i knew from that crusade that Jesus is still walking from street to street healing people.May God use you to reach more souls and give hope to mopre lives.
Grant Gladish
~ Vancouver, BC
I am so grateful for Susan Hoover’s testimony and photo diary of the meetings in Muslim countries, like Pakistan.
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Son
~ Earth
I’ve heard Peter Youngren say that “Jesus is our sabbath”.
I say in a very respectful way, if that is the case, is He your repentance and obedience too?
Do we carry on not following commandments and continue in sinning now that we are forgiven?
Do we tell the officer that “Jesus follows the law for me” to the officer handng us the ticket?
Is the whole of a believers life to disregard repentance and simply believe, and if so, is that all? Just believe? Carry on in sin, do whatever we want?
If we try and turn away from things that He has said in His word is sin, are we doing something wrong? If we stop celebrating Christmas, and easter and halloween to honour Him, is that sin? Is it wrong for us to try and obey after He has done so much to make us right with Himself?
Or do we carry on doing things that ultimately resulted in our separation from Him?
Do we ever get past milk or are we constantly reverting to the salvation message for years and years after we have been “saved”?