FINDING DISCIPLES

October 14

Bible Reading: Acts 21:1-6

Acts 21:4, “And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days.” (NKJV)

By the point in the Acts account, believers had scattered throughout the regions where the Apostle Paul was traveling. Driven by the Spirit, Paul sought them out so that he might instruct and encourage them.

During my trips to Uganda, we experienced something like that. After breakfast each day, my uncle, Pastor Bob Emrich, and I would jump into a van to visit local pastors. Our dear friend, Paul Mwesigwa, the Ugandan director of Hope and Mercy Mission, served as our driver. We were grateful for his guidance, as we had no idea how to navigate to any of our destinations or find our way back to the guesthouse without him.

We traveled along dirt roads and sometimes mere paths, with no road signs to direct us. The journey was often challenging. I recall one particularly rainy day when our tires became caked with mud. The roads sloped toward ditches to help shed water, but our mud-covered tires couldn’t maintain traction, and we ended up stuck in the ditch. This wasn’t our only encounter with mud; there was also the incident with a flat tire! Despite these challenges, we persevered, knowing that most people in the region walked to their destinations—just as the Apostle Paul did. As we traversed the landscape, we covered many miles, yet we always found places to meet fellow disciples of Jesus. We spent time with them, encouraging each other.

The Apostle Paul sought out disciples because he yearned for fellowship with them (Romans 1:11-12). Without a website or GPS, he relied on the Spirit’s guidance to find his way. Most of us, in contrast, face no significant physical obstacles when it comes to gathering with other believers. If we have a heart to follow the Spirit’s leading, He will guide us to where we need to be.

“The man who is in the family of the Church has friends all over the world.” —William Barclay

THE FAMILY OF GOD
I’m so glad I’m a part
Of the fam’ly of God
I’ve been washed in the fountain
Cleansed by His blood
Joint heirs with Jesus
As we travel this sod
For I’m part of the fam’ly
The family of God

Composers: Bill and Gloria Gaither; Copyright: 1970 William J. Gaither.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry Conklin, born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon, served six years in the US Navy Submarine service. After earning a degree in Nuclear Technology, he worked at Trojan Nuclear Plant as a reactor operator. In 1990, after earning a Masters Degree in Theology, he became the senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria for 27 years, also serving as a fire department chaplain and making nine trips to Uganda for ministry work. After his wife’s cancer diagnosis, they moved to Heppner. Since 2021, he has served as the part-time hospice chaplain for Pioneer Hospice. In 2023 he helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter (SMCSM) and now serves at the board chairman. In February 2025 Jerry was honored as Heppner’s Man of the Year. In March 2025 Jerry was honored by US Senator Jeff Merkley for his work with SMCSM. Jerry and Laura have four children and three grandchildren.

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