Fifteen Years!
Celebrating Fifteen Years of Risking Everything to Do Anything for Jesus
Dan Scheel (“Farmer Dan”) is heading to India, God-willing, on February 25. This trip commemorates fifteen years that Dan has been praying, working, traveling, advocating, and giving for the spread of the Gospel. He has missions partnerships as diverse as Bible literacy (Chronological Bible Teaching), Bible and theological-literature translation, tribal church planting, ministry and education to the severely handicapped—in India and in Bangladesh.
If you know Dan at all, you know about two things: Jesus and Chronological Bible Teaching. He is a passionate evangelist and advocate for as many good works as he can be. Though he refers to himself as “a baby elephant” for the way he can sometimes charge around in his eagerness to share what he loves, he is in many ways a godly example.
Epaphroditus
In Philippians 2:25-30 Paul talks about his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister,” Epaphroditus. He says that Epaphroditus “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” (30)
What did Epaphroditus do? “I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.” (4:18) Epaphroditus delivered the Philippian’s gifts to Paul. In doing so, he got sick and nearly died. (2:27) He recovered, but the trial impressed itself on Paul and he wanted to draw the Philippian’s attention to it. Paul says, “honor such men.”
“Honor such men.” Why? What did Epaphroditus have? What did he do? It doesn’t appear that he had amazing talents or abilities—at least they aren’t mentioned. It doesn’t appear, on the surface, that he did anything extraordinary—he couriered some gifts.
But look closer: What did he have and do? He had a willingness to risk everything to do anything to help spread the Gospel of Christ.
Some people sing about Jesus, sing about their devotion, pray great prayers of love and promise themselves to Christ forever. And some pull out their wallets, pick up a phone, pack a bag.
“Honor” those who are willing to risk everything to do anything to help spread the Gospel.
Dan Scheel is an older fellow, with physical troubles and pains. But he just can’t sit still when he thinks about people who don’t know Jesus. Fifteen years ago he wasn’t sure what to do. So he did something, anything. And one thing leads to another.
What are we willing to do to help spread the Gospel? In the Fellowship Bible Church territory? Wherever? What are we willing to risk?
Dan is not alone in deserving honor. But fifteen years at something is worth celebrating.
Dan, thank you for your faithfulness, for your godly example, and for your service “for the work of Christ.”
