The summer scene was idyllic. The setting sun shone glorious hues of red, orange and purple over Lake Michigan. The warm water lapped quietly on the soft sands, and a gentle breeze played with our hair. Gathered on the shore was a group of young people. A keen-eyed observer might have noticed it was actually a mix of two groups.

The first group were young AFM student missionaries, fresh from training and about to launch to serve unreached people groups. Over the course of their training, they had shared God’s gracious deeds in their lives and testified to His transforming and saving power. Their faces reflected excitement and optimism.

The second group were newly returned SMs. Some among them had experienced personal threats and evacuations for medical or security reasons. They had dodged street violence, engaged in overt spiritual warfare, endured demonic attacks and suffered through malaria and dengue fever. All this in addition to the challenges of ministering cross-culturally!

As the evening went on, the returned SMs recounted how God had delivered, answered prayers, softened hearts and won souls for His kingdom. He had lifted them out of exhaustion on eagles’ wings and drawn close to them as the promised Comforter. “Despite everything,” concluded one of the young missionaries, “we want you to know that the banner still flies!”

And so the banner of God’s kingdom was passed from the veterans to the new recruits. A few short weeks later, the new SMs arrived in lands held captive by paganism and other false religions. Amid the spiritual gloom, they joined other AFM missionaries to lift high the banner of God’s kingdom and proclaim the Everlasting Gospel.

Yes, the banner of God’s kingdom still flies!

As our world unravels before our eyes and the coming storm threatens to destroy families, communities and nations, beautiful indeed are the feet of those who bring Good News! May the 2 billion people who have yet to hear the Everlasting Gospel hear of Jesus’ love and soon return!

This holiday season, I appeal to you to pray constantly and give generously so that AFM’s front-line missionaries can continue to hold up the banner of God’s kingdom and let it fly among the unreached. May God reap an eternal harvest for His eternal glory!

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