TEAMWORK

Seventeen teenagers endured the grueling heat, humidity and bugs of their Florida boot camp. They came from all across the country and Canada. Most of them had never met before yet they all had a common bond. The rules were strict and the discipline tough. Still they pressed onward.

They traveled by plane and bus until eventually reaching Nsongwa and Ngie, Cameroon. In the heart of Africa they came—willing servants of an incredible Father, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Fifteen contracted Malaria; all of them tolerated worms and parasites. When many were sick the rest pitched in to serve them and maintain their responsibilities. They backpacked over many miles to take the Gospel to remote villages. They shared their burdens, took turns encouraging each other, prayed, sang, worked and ministered to strangers with uncommon zeal and inspiring passion. In the end, over 600 people made decisions to follow Jesus. Friendships were forged—some that will last for a lifetime. How do I know this? My daughter, Sarah, and her friends Becky and Naomi sacrificed their summer to go with Teen Missions to Africa. All three of them sense God leading them to be missionaries and God in His wisdom, taught them one summer in 2005 the value of team work.

Meditation
Colossians 4:7-14—Tychicus will tell you all the news about me . . . He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you . . . My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas . . . they have proved a comfort to me . . . Epaphras . . . is always wrestling in prayer for you . . . Our dear friend Luke, the doctor and Demas send greetings.

In the Bible, the only reference to the word team refers to horses tied to a chariot. The word teamwork is never used. Yet the concept is pregnant throughout Scripture. Jesus trained a team and their collective work of evangelism and discipleship turned the world upside down. We see Paul’s teammates in the passage above. Collectively they labored through persecution, in sickness and health with joy and sorrow. They traveled as messengers from church to church. Solomon noted that “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

If the team is focused on Jesus, the work will be Christ-centered and the collective efforts of many yields amazing results. It is so easy to focus on our individual journey and solitary needs that we forget the importance of working together with our fellow brothers and sisters. Perhaps this is why Hebrews 10:24,25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Something to think about . . . in reveration!