Hello friends! This is the first edition of this New Year 2025, of The Center ... Christ, His Cross, His World. It is my intent to have this ‘note’ out on weekly basis (sometimes bi-weekly) sharing information on biblical and missional activities,  publications, books, educational opportunities, our COLLABORATIONS (our convocations or gatherings – the next one is in Phoenix, Feb.11-12, right before BPM [see below]), highlight some of our vendors on Concordia Market, and hopefully provide some biblical and missional inspiration and challenge.  Thanks for reading through this first edition!

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Mission Partners Platform (MPP) changed its name to The Center (thecenter.info) in mid-December. “The Center” was picked by constituents, our Board,  and staff members after hearing for years how cumbersome our founding name – Mission Partners Platform – was. Mission Partners Platform did describe who we were and what we did:

Mission: We are sold out to the Missio Dei—the Mission of God! ... His love for the world in Jesus, especially seen in His death and resurrection, and in His great purpose to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). We have a missional God! Therefore, in all our discussions, programs, conferences and collaborations, it is our prayerful, strong desire to recover and emphasize our ‘missionary vocation’ and missional ‘DNA’ as those born again of God. God truly loves “the world” (Jn.3:16) and He created, purchased, and won us, not just that we might be His own, but also that we might serve Him in the world as “fishers of men” (Mk.1:17), “the salt of the earth” (Mt.5:13), “the light of the world” (Mt.5:14), “a city on a hill” (Mt.5:14), proving ourselves to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life” (Phil.2:15, 16).

Partners: Collaboration in our missional endeavors is one of the intended blessings of God’s salvation. By His grace and design, we are a fellowship of the baptized joining together in God’s mission of seeking and saving Jesus’ lost ones, proclaiming the Gospel to all people.

Platform: Consider that Amazon, Google, and Facebook, etc., are “platforms.” That means they provide and offer resources in one place (platform), based on an underlying technology, in order that the user can find products or supplies that will enhance their life or facilitate their businesses. Platforms have different motivations, most often it is for financial gain. MISSION PARTNERS PLATFORM was created for a different purpose and has a different motivation. It is a completely missional organization with its members living for, stiving for, training for, and encouraging an increase in missional activity in the world while equipping the next generation for their harvest fields. It is offered as a one stop “place” or “platform,” where a user can find or share/sell, missional resources, products, services, or experiences, and is organized exclusively for charitable religious purposes. It exists to advance the kingdom of God of earth.

The Center (thecenter.info) incorporates and encapsulates ALL of the above. We serve the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the center of the Holy Scriptures. His cross serves as the center of biblical theology and mission; and, we must never forget, that the world He created remains the center and focus of His love, concern, and His saving work in Christ through the Church.  And, all vendors, resources, and our original content can still be found at ConcoridaMarket.com.  Many more exciting things are COMING!  Stay Tune!

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This week in God Work’s Weekly (vlog; found on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and on ConcordiaMarket.com):

• Tune In as Jeff Heisner talks about the surge in Bible sales in 2024 and a great, new Bible study from Rev. Dr. Jeff Kloha.

• Check out “What Cha Reading” Jeff Heisner interviews me about a wonderful book that my wife and I read together for morning devotions. It’s a book that we are carrying on com, and for which I wrote a Forward: The Great Sending, God’s Heart for the World Beating Through You. Soon, I will also give some insight into its sequel, God’s Sending Heart, Beating Through the Baptized in Christ, so catch up!

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GMD (Go Make Disciples) Crossroads:  New Year. Same God. He promises:  ¹ But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. ³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ... ⁵ Fear not, for I am with you; ... Isaiah 43:1-3a, 5a

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Also, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for our second Now – New – More Collaboration (Feb. 11-12) in Chandler, Arizona. If you are attending the Best Practices in Ministry Conference (Feb 13-15) in Phoenix, come a few days early and join us.

Here is the link to register:  https://concordiamarket.com/now/. This link also has the schedule of speakers and hotel information.