Jack wanted to invite Julie, Mark’s administrative assistant, to lunch, too, since his phone and email interactions with her had been so positive.  Julie and I bonded as wives, mothers, and passionately devoted followers of Jesus Christ in our short drive to the restaurant.  (I never cease to be amazed how quickly our spirits can be knitted together when we meet other believers.)  Julie came to Christ through the ministry of GCC.  She loves her work (and ministry) at GCC, but believes wherever she worked it would be a ministry.

Then she told me about her mission trip to India a few years ago.  Julie went with women from GCC to encourage the women in India who are working as church planters.  She said that women in India are already low in the caste system, but when you add to that becoming a Christian—“They’re off the bottom of the chart?”  I asked.

“Yes,” Julie said.  “They have given up everything to follow Christ, and I feel like I’ve given up nothing—plus, I get so many benefits from being a Christian.  That trip changed me.  I will never be the same.”

Over lunch Mark talked about his hope for folks at GCC to engage in all areas of discipleship not out of dutiful obligation, but rather out of a heart of surrender.  He believes missional disciples should be able to look over their shoulders at their past and see change, transformation in all areas of their lives—relationships, finances, and use of time.  He wants Christians to understand salvation isn’t for “me alone.”  Christ died for the world.  We Christ followers can’t only be enamored with the grace of God for us alone, we must reach out to others because Christ will change how we see people.

In my brief time with Julie I saw what it means to be a missional disciple.  We parted with a hug and each promised to pray for needs the other had mentioned.