Office of the President
Step Into the River
My wife Laura and I ( now in our 37 th year of ministry with OMS ) became longterm missionaries through an initial one-year commitment . Even though I grew up as an OMS missionary kid in Brazil , we had not intended to be career missionaries until someone asked us to think and pray about it . This changed our lives .
Serving internationally — whether for a few months , a year , or a lifetime — opens cultural and spiritual horizons for those seeking God ’ s guidance .
The book of Joshua portrays a situation where uncertainty loomed over the Israelites ’ future . The Jordan River was flooded , blocking their way forward . They doubted God ’ s plan for their lives . At times , many of us face similar questions : Where and how should we serve God ? What lies ahead ?
Through Joshua , God instructed the priests to carry the ark of the covenant to the swollen edge of the Jordan River and then “… take a few steps into the river and stop there ” ( Joshua 3:8 NLT ). Similarly , embarking on a short- or mid-term experience overseas serves as an act of obedience , propelling Christ followers into the unknown and creating space for God to provide clarity , even in turbulent circumstances .
Please pray for those in your sphere of influence as they seek God ’ s direction for their future . You may be the one God calls to ask them to think and pray about stepping into missions . Perhaps you both will be inspired by this issue of OMS Outreach , which highlights several testimonies of those who have “ stepped into the river ” to experience OMS ’ Embark mid-term missions program .
For Christ and his kingdom ,
Jeffry Max Edwards
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