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Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving for the church in Philippi was as relevant to them yesterday as it is for us today: “I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters” (Phil. 1:9-10, NLT, emphasis added).

For almost 90 years, The Foursquare Church has experienced ministry success through an intentional and international commitment to a four-stage strategy of planting national church movements. Through our defined process to initiate (Stage I), nurture (Stage II), expand (Stage III) and then to see the new national church send its own missionaries (Stage IV), The Foursquare Church is growing and strengthening in over 140 countries of the world.

As we enter a new phase of focus in 2011 to “Accelerate – the Whole Gospel to the Whole World,” more than ever the American Church is called to embrace our “missional strategy and heritage” and to partner in new ways with our international Foursquare body of leaders and nations.

We are so close to major expanded global fruitfulness. Yet it may ultimately come down to the answer we each give to the question, “What really matters most?

Paul was bold and committed, yet tender as he reminded the believers in Philippi that “…I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard until now” (Phil. 1:4-5).

As a missionary, I thank you for your faithful partnership. Because of our work together, I too “am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil. 1:6).

I pray that as we enter the heart of the holiday season, you would not forget the call of the nations of the world, who have yet to hear the Good News, when you ask yourself what really matters most.

By: Daniel Lucero, Foursquare Missions International Area Missionary to West Africa and Francophone Nations and President of Foursquare France