• Stops in Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu
• Projected cost: $3400, including travel, lodging and some meals*
• Trip application and deposit of $1500 due by March 15

*based on per person double occupancy and estimated coach transpacific air. Single occupancy subject to availability and additional cost.

For more information, contact Laura Messina.

Details and registration information on the Connection2010 Web site.

I love the Body of Christ and I am so thankful to be a part of it. We are at our best when we keep the truth of God and the love of God in balance.

A couple of years ago I was listening to my husband and two friends share about their recent mission trip to China. In the midst of his witness one of the men made reference to “other wicked religions.” At that point a friend seated next to me whispered, “Do you believe that?” I felt uncomfortable with the question, but nodded in the affirmative. Nothing else was said, but the interchange bothered me. I did some soul searching and soon emailed my friend this clarification.

You asked me if I agreed with Jim’s reference to the “wickedness” of other religions. I agreed because I know Jim’s heart. He said that from a heart that loves our God as the only true God. He said that from a heart that loves people who don’t know the only true God. He said that from a servant heart. Although it was his fortieth birthday, Jim spent his vacation time and money to build pigpens for the very people who follow this “wicked” religion. In other words, his use of the noun wickedness was not meant for the followers of the religion. He was referring to the religion itself. The adherents of this religion are lost, but no more than I was before I came to have an understanding of and love for Jesus. “Wicked” is a strong word, but anything that encourages people to trust something other than Jesus’ love for salvation is wicked. Before I came to Christ, I too was wicked. In God’s grace I was set free from the false security, empty promises, and wickedness of sin. I am no longer wicked, because the God of love has taken up residence in my heart.

It is with love and compassion that we speak of the wickedness of other religions. Some are openly violent and contrary to truth, but others come across as good, moral belief systems. The more moral and “good” ones may make life less painful for some people, but that does not mean that these religions are true. In spite of the pressure for political correctness in America today, the Bible does not allow for the belief that the adherents of all religions are following the same god, just called by different names.

Speaking of Jesus the Bible says, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). But Scripture also teaches, Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7).

As members of the Body of Christ we participate in missions because we want the world to know the one true, eternal God. Each of us has a role in God’s mission of loving lost and hurting people. We cannot compromise truth, but neither can we be arrogant. How will the world believe the Good News if we do not speak the truth in love? As we begin another year, let’s ask God to rekindle the fire of His Spirit in our lives so that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will characterize our relationships with all people (Galatians 5:22). In 2007 let’s move forward in mission as the Body of Christ, committed to truth and love.

Sara Berry is a loving and gifted children’s worker and author. Among her accomplishments, she has developed an exciting values-based children’s curriculum. Sara is married to Mont Berry, and they have been blessed with five beautiful and godly children. They make their home in Tupelo, Mississippi, where Sara and Mont are heavily invested in the leadership of their church and the mission of God. For more information, see integritytime.com.

A Word from James. Happy New Year! I pray that God will bless you this year and use you to bless others far beyond your wildest expectations.