I remember when we could fit all our Victory small group leaders in the tiny function room on the top of St. Francis Square—with plenty of space left over. That was about fifteen years ago and St. Francis Sq only seated 100—sardine style. I think we had about 50 small groups then.

Aahhhh—the miracle of multiplication. (ie: doing the same thing over and over for a long time.)

Three days ago I stood on the stage at Manila’s PhilSports Arena and spoke to over 6000 of our volunteer ministers during our Mega Manila “Discipleship Convergence.”

My ten-minute message was simple:
Vision for ministry got me to the Philippines for a 1-month summer mission trip in 1984. But compassion for lost and hurting people kept me here for 25 years.

I really don’t think I would have stuck with it just for the sake of the vision. But I did for the people Jesus died for. Vision is important, but it is not enough. If we have vision for growth but do not have compassion for people, we become a lifeless spiritual assembly line.

Jesus gave his life for people, not for vision. We should too.

Paul said it like this: Christ’s love compels us. . . (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Here are pix of our ’09 Victory-Manila Discipleship Convergence.

The “Miracle of Multiplication” takes time and consistency. Try it, for a decade or two and you’ll see.