The field is ripe for harvest but unfortunately there are not too many people to do the harvesting because the act of doing so requires a lot of sacrifice, commitment and dedication. It has always been that since centuries ago when Jesus walked the face of the earth when he told His disciples as He looked at the “lost”.
With many, the desire is there to go to the harvest field to help in the effort but the dictates of everyday needs wouldn’t allow that they personally do the task that has been mandated to them.
In some creative ways and without being actually being in the field, they are able to “fulfill the mandate” indirectly by supporting well-meaning organizations staffed with people endowed with God-given gifts to become part of the action.
Matthew John
Los Angeles-based JIR Foundation has an innovative way to enable people to feel the joy of being part of the major movement to reach out to the harvest field vicariously by way of “encouraging the encouragers, motivating the motivators, and helping disciple makers make disciples” in a program to fulfill the so-called Great Commission.
JIR Foundation’s sphere of commitment encompasses not only in serving donors and Christian workers in the Los Angeles area, but the United States and the world at large as well.
photo courtesy of JIR Foundation Facebook page
As with all other outreach groups, the idea of extending the mission to whoever will listen to the clarion call started as a dream conceived in the heart of its founder, Real Estate practitioner Henry W. Chen whose passion was triggered at a church business meeting where the increases for the church workers “who sacrifice their lives for the Lord’s service” was taken up. He took up the cudgel and was later on joined by his musically-gifted wife Monica G. Chen. The team has now in its roster people like Jeriel Lubaton, singer Kuh Ledesma and Bennie Lago.
JIR had staged successful concerts before that provided a “giving venue” for its benefactors and friends as a way of participating in a worthwhile cause.
JIR will provide on June 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Glendale (209 N. Louise Street) a venue for “an evening of fine classical and contemporary music” for a worthy cause of supporting God’s field workers.
A line up of gifted performers promises for a night of wholesome treat which features Liza Cabahug (Coloratura Soprano), Jenmai de Asis (Tenor), Erwin Lumauag (Tenor) and Matthew John (Cellist) and the Soriano String Duet of Abbie and Aaron.
Attendance and support to this kind of projects dedicated to supporting an activity to reach out to the harvest field will tend to benefit the participants more as it “triggers the natural law of the giver receiving many folds the blessings that come from giving”.
As Mother Teresa once said, “Give ‘til it hurts you. Only giving which hurts the giver in some way is supreme.”
Contact Henry (818) 612-4500, Monica (818) 726-6333 and Bobong (307) 370-0220 to attend this great event.