Steve Stewart is the founder of Impact Nations, an international ministry passionate about sharing the Gospel and healing power of Jesus among the poorest communities around the world.
His heart is to see the Kingdom of God advance, both through supernatural intervention and the practical support of Christians. He believes that we are all called to be active in God's plan for redemption, and that the western Church must learn from the faith movement gaining momentum in countries such as India, where house churches are growing in spite of intense persecution in some areas.
His heart is to see the Kingdom of God advance, both through supernatural intervention and the practical support of Christians. He believes that we are all called to be active in God's plan for redemption, and that the western Church must learn from the faith movement gaining momentum in countries such as India, where house churches are growing in spite of intense persecution in some areas.
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| Steve and his wife Christina |
"There is a certain irony that although we in the West pursue vicarious adventure through entertainment, we are reluctant to speak in large terms. Although we in the church should be the most vocal in calling people up to a great purpose, the great adventure of living in the Kingdom of God, we settle for small things in this present age," Steve writes in his book, 'When everything changes'.
"We put our desires and hopes off into the Age to Come. With over half the world suffering in extreme poverty, with more slaves living now than at any time in history, there has never been a greater need for men and women to rise up and activate their faith.
"This is a joyful, exuberant call to action," he says.
Christian Today got the opportunity to catch up with Steve, and learn more of his desire to see people capture God's vision to see people lifted out of hopelessness and desperation across the globe.
CT: One of your passions is to see people become active in God's redemptive plan. Why is it so important?
SS: Romans 8:19-22 tells us that all of creation is groaning, waiting for the sons - and daughters - of God to be revealed. We are called to participate in the rescue, reconciliation and restoration activity of God's Kingdom. This is what we were made for. The Kingdom is in our DNA and when we start to move in its rhythm, we come alive. It amazes me that the Creator of everything invites us to partner with Him in His great purpose.
CT: How can the Church be released to become less passive?
SS: Jesus has always invited and challenged men and women to a lifestyle of active faith. To follow Him (Matthew 4:19-20) means movement from something to something. Discipleship is never static. As Jesus said in John 12:26: if we want to be His disciples, then we must follow Him, and if we are going to follow Him, then we must be where He is. One of the key ways that Jesus forms us is through the movement of following Him into new situations. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that the only difference between the one who builds his life on the rock and the one who builds on the sand is putting Jesus' words into practice. Moving from theoretical belief to active participation is one of the greatest dividing lines in the 21st century church.
"We put our desires and hopes off into the Age to Come. With over half the world suffering in extreme poverty, with more slaves living now than at any time in history, there has never been a greater need for men and women to rise up and activate their faith.
"This is a joyful, exuberant call to action," he says.
Christian Today got the opportunity to catch up with Steve, and learn more of his desire to see people capture God's vision to see people lifted out of hopelessness and desperation across the globe.
CT: One of your passions is to see people become active in God's redemptive plan. Why is it so important?
SS: Romans 8:19-22 tells us that all of creation is groaning, waiting for the sons - and daughters - of God to be revealed. We are called to participate in the rescue, reconciliation and restoration activity of God's Kingdom. This is what we were made for. The Kingdom is in our DNA and when we start to move in its rhythm, we come alive. It amazes me that the Creator of everything invites us to partner with Him in His great purpose.
CT: How can the Church be released to become less passive?
SS: Jesus has always invited and challenged men and women to a lifestyle of active faith. To follow Him (Matthew 4:19-20) means movement from something to something. Discipleship is never static. As Jesus said in John 12:26: if we want to be His disciples, then we must follow Him, and if we are going to follow Him, then we must be where He is. One of the key ways that Jesus forms us is through the movement of following Him into new situations. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that the only difference between the one who builds his life on the rock and the one who builds on the sand is putting Jesus' words into practice. Moving from theoretical belief to active participation is one of the greatest dividing lines in the 21st century church.
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