Inspired Evening with IOI

Last Thursday night my wife and I and some friends from work attended the annual IOI Fundraiser. IOI stands for Indigenous Outreach International. From their website -- "Our mission is to make disciples for Christ both at home and abroad - providing financial, technical, educational and prayer support for indigenous ministers and ministries; preaching and teaching the Gospel; caring for widows and orphans; and extending ourselves on behalf of the poor." http://www.ioiusa.org/

About

Established in obedience to I John 3:16-18 & James 1:27 for the purpose of ministering to our brothers in need, the making disciples, the edification of the Church and the practice of true religion by caring for widows and orphans. An intra-church Christian missionary organization that seeks to promote disicipleship through support of indigenous missionaries, community development projects and child sponsorships primarily in Ethiopia. We currently serve over 40 ministers and 135 children in Ethiopia, Brazil, Germany and Northern Ireland.

I have to say the night was very inspiring, for several reasons: 

1. This ministry crosses denominational lines, and creates a unity of purpose -- to serve the poor and spread the Gospel. The leadership has worked hard the last decade to bring together a variety people, combining their strengths and gifts. The united effort brings great glory to God, in my opinion. So much more can be accomplished when Christians focus on what we DO have in common vs. what we do not. What we do have in common is Christ Himself. And He is eager for us to lay down our judgement of others and come together with a common goal. 
2. Their aim is to both "give a fish" and to "teach them to fish." The keynote speaker did a great job of taking this well-known quote and applying it to missions. IOI is teaching them to fish by way of things like "Sanctuary Village" (video below) and giving them a fish is accomplished by putting in wells that change an entire region. 
3. I could see one day drawing together families from HLA and helping to create teams that would go and serve. Homeschoolers are always looking for a great way to broaden their child's view of God's work in the world and give them opportunities for life-changing hands on service. So we're praying about future involvement with IOI. For now we sponsor a child ourselves. 

All in all it was an inspired evening with IOI. Thank you to Patrick Beard, Aaron; Russ and Merrideth, Thomas and Tina and everyone who put this together -- it moved my heart and further convinced me that one of the most important things in the Christian life is to find where God is at work and join Him!! God is definitely at work through IOI!

Indigenous Outreach - Sanctuary Village from Patrick Beard on Vimeo.