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Expendables for Christ

"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Our job is to commit ourselves fully to God through fasting and prayer, and God’s job is to strengthen us, and do a greater work in and through us.

Your life has likely been profoundly impacted by a woman you may have never heard of before. 

For years now I’ve been astonished by the life and impact of God through a Sunday School teacher named Henrietta Mears. She taught at Hollywood Presbyterian Church back in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. She had an incredible ability to teach God’s Word in a way that was practical and powerful in young people’s lives. The Christian Education Department at that time grew under her leadership from several hundred young people to as many as 7,000 each week. 

But her greatest legacy was in raising up, and mentoring young leaders. 

After World War II was over, Henrietta had a sabbatical from ministry for a year, and she and her sister visited the ravages of post-war Europe, where hundreds of her Sunday School students had fought in the war. She was deeply burdened and stirred by the atrocities, and the godlessness through which this could occur. She returned home with a renewed urgency in her ministry. 

On June 24, 1947, she preached at her Forest Home Retreat Center in the San Bernardino Mountains about what she had seen in Germany, and the great need for revival, and the Spirit of God fell on the place where she was speaking. 

That night, she said, “God has an answer to the great needs of our world today. Jesus said we must make disciples of all men. We are to take his gospel to the ends of the earth. God is looking for men and women of total commitment. During the war, men of special courage were called upon for difficult assignments; often these volunteers did not return. They were called “expendables.” We must be expendables for Christ.”

Four young men followed her after the service, and were so deeply stirred by her message they asked to pray together. They ended up praying for many hours through the night, and the Holy Spirit fell on them, giving them visions of reaching the world for Christ. 

Among those young men that night were Bill Bright who founded Campus Crusade for Christ. She also mentored and impacted the founder of the Navigators, the founder of YoungLife, Billy Graham and more than 80 other young leaders who started influential ministries, many that continue to this day.

We can’t get caught up in church as normal. The world is dying and going to hell, and we have the antidote – the good news of Jesus Christ.

Henrietta’s story should challenge our commitment to God in two ways: 

How can you become more urgent and committed to bring this gospel message to the world? Are you also willing to be an expendable for Christ?

Who can you take with you? What young people around you, can you encourage and build up in the faith like Henrietta did? Who can you pass your passion for the Lord to?

Prayer: 

Lord, help me to be urgently committed to be an expendable for Christ. Help me to encourage others this day to seek the Lord. 

-Matt Brown