April 7, 2014
Pages of history are written every day… but the chapters are devoted to the deals.
A major chapter of history was opened 211 years ago, by America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson. He had already made his contributions to history as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence; he served in the Continental Congress, as the wartime Governor of Virginia, and the first Secretary of State, during Washington’s presidency. In the race to replace Washington, John Adams edged Jefferson at the polls… and Jefferson became Vice President. He won the next election.
Those were all pages in a chapter, but Jefferson transitioned the tale with a real estate deal that remains a defining event: the Louisiana Purchase.
Lots of international intrigue surrounded the decision, but the bottom line was a game-changer: France’ long-distance claim to 828,000 square miles of North America was dismissed when Jackson paid them $15 million (4¢/acre) for the whole shebang, sight unseen. Escrow closed on April 30, 1803.
A year later, Jefferson sent two Army officers – Meriwether Lewis and William Clark – to lead an expedition to survey the vast western frontier – including the Louisiana Purchase, and more. They left St. Louis in May of 1804; two years, four months and 10 days later, they were back in St. Louis, ready to report their amazing findings. Thirty-three people left on the adventure; only one died during the journey. Dozens more had support roles along the way; their exploits remain a fascination of history, today. Their chapter: the “Louisiana Purchase” is a treasured part of the American story…
About 1984 years ago, the King of Kings closed escrow on humanity, buying the souls of lost people back from eternal judgment. He sent an expedition of 12 men to go out to the frontier to effectuate the transaction; we look back on that new chapter in history with fascination. The chapter title is, “Great Commission;” it’s still being written today…
Lewis and Clark were adventurers with a purpose; we can only imagine their experiences, in a world that has been mostly explored and mapped.
The Great Commission’s adventures are still underway: the first 12 made great progress in advancing the frontiers of faith, but there are still thousands of people groups – and, millions of people – who are as unreached today as they were when Jesus left for Heaven. Men and women who have the same courage and determination that marked Lewis and Clark are carrying the flag of the Kingdom of God to distant places, and facing obstacles no less daunting than the ones Lewis and Clark encountered.
If you had the chance to spend a day with Lewis and Clark, would you do it? If you had the chance to spend a day with the Lewis-and-Clarks of the Kingdom, would you be interested?
On June 4th, you have that opportunity. Men and women who are part of the Expedition will be with us in Orange County at the Issachar Summit, sharing stories from the front-lines… and challenging you with some opportunities for excitement that could be – for you – life impacting.
Two years ago, we staged the first Issachar Summit in the same venue; since then, hundreds of men and women have attended the Summit in Houston, Kansas City, Charlotte and Atlanta. We’ve refined and recharged this one-day encounter; the last stop – in Atlanta – had leaders from dozens of states in attendance, and their reflections on the day were extraordinary.
You need to click here to visit the website for the Issachar Summit; take a look at the line-up, and take a look at your calendar: presenters are coming – at their own expense – from the Kingdom’s frontiers, around the world. Could you get to Orange County to meet them? Can you spare a day?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Jesus, in Matthew 24:14)
Thomas Jefferson closed the Deal of the Century. Jesus closed the Deal of Eternity. How involved should you be in the Great Commission chapter of history?
Bob Shank