In a sequential order of series, we have been dissecting the vision and mandate of Cedar in the past ten months. Today, we are beginning the last series in the sequence as we discuss the fulcrum for the fulfillment of the Cedar vision and mandate ‘Streetwise Apostle.’ I will like to start with a brief exposition about who a streetwise apostle is. Let us take a cursory look at the meaning of the two key words ‘Streetwise’ and ‘Apostles’. The term ‘Streetwise’ means to have the experience, practical skills and knowledge necessary, to deal with both real and potential difficulties of life. The term ‘Apostle’, in its most literal sense, is an emissary from the Greek word ‘Apostolos’ which means ‘one who is sent off’.
Streetwise Apostles go all out for the lost souls, bringing them to the fold of Christ to change their ways of life (Matt. 22:9). A streetwise apostle does not discriminate and does not display holier-than-thou attitude. He has high survival instincts and coping strategies in the world system, he does not condemn, neither does he condone evil; he makes efforts to fix what is wrong. He has a target and a goal to pursue, which is to bring the sacred principles to bear upon the secular arena and win souls for Christ. He has an appreciable knowledge of the gospel and can adapt it to virtually every situation and generate some results for the Kingdom of God. He identifies the needs of people and uses different strategies to bring them to the fold. In the New Testament, we could vividly see that the apostles were men that recorded so much exploits in life and ministerial assignments. As believers, God wants more from us beyond church gatherings and programmes. God demands that we are on the move for Him; reaching out to the lost souls, the needy, the broken hearted, the prostitutes, the hopeless etc. This mandate has been given to us so that many people will come to the knowledge of Christ. “… who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Timothy 2:4). This ministry is mandated to build change agents who receive anointing in the church and make impact in the world as Streetwise Apostles. Therefore, God wants you to be a voice that will change the world.
Beloved, wherever you find yourself, you are expected to take charge and represent God because that is what we have been called to do. May the Lord grant us the grace to represent him wherever we find ourselves in Jesus Name. (To be contd.) Happy New month! SHALOM.
