Mission With Heart – Pastor Erton Köhler

God did not create us to stand still. He created us to move forward, to grow, to love, and to serve. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9, NIV). These words were spoken to Joshua, but they still speak to us today. They remind us that mission is not a project. Mission is a way of life. Our calling as a church remains clear and powerful: we are grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission. Joshua had every reason to be afraid. Moses was gone, the future was unknown, and the responsibility was enormous. Yet God's first instruction was not about plans, armies, or resources. It was about His presence: "Be strong, for I am with you." That is the heart of every mission story. Mission begins where divine presence meets human obedience. You can build strategies, plans, and budgets, but without the presence of God, nothing truly happens. Courage is not something we produce on our own—it is born from knowing that God walks beside us. In the Philippines, when Typhoon Kalmaegi displaced thousands, Adventist volunteers quickly organized food and shelter aid. In Lima, Peru, 11-year-old Jhosep Carrión and his mother began inviting neighborhood children into their home for simple Bible studies. What started in a small living room touched several families, and some of those children chose baptism. In Haiti, despite earthquakes and national instability, Adventists organized evangelistic meetings that resulted in more than 3,000 baptisms. Across continents, believers turned tragedy into testimony. The Bible never separates love from action. Jesus did not only teach about compassion. He lived it. He touched the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the broken, and washed the feet of His disciples. True disciplemaking always involves movement. Be strong and courageous, not because life is simple, but because God is with you. When your heart is grounded in His truth, your hands will know what to do. About the series From the Heart is a weekly devotional series in which Pastor Köhler reflects on what it means to be grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, collectively and individually. Each episode is grounded in the four pillars of the Seventh-day Adventist Church strategic plan: Communion with God, Identity in Christ, Unity through the Holy Spirit, and Mission for All. The series connects biblical faith to everyday life, sharing short reflections and glimpses of how God is at work through the Adventist Church around the world. Subscribe and join us each week as we live out our faith and prepare for Jesus's return. – The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an established denomination since 1863. It is a global Christian family with over 23 million members who hold the Bible as the ultimate authority. We are believers committed to helping people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus. Want to learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Visit our website at: https://www.adventist.org/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EvFsCOoVbQ