This is an interview with Pastor Ronnie Floyd, author of Our Last Great Hope and pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas. In this interview, Ronnie and I talk The Great Commission, taking missions overseas, using social media to teach others about Christ, and more.
Sundi Jo: What inspired you to write Our Last Great Hope?
Ronnie: For most of my ministry, I have been very passionate about telling every person in the world about Jesus Christ and making disciples of all the nations. However, the year that I led the Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Resurgence became a pivotal life-altering moment for me regarding the inspiration that moved me to write this book.
Sundi Jo: You say in the book, “There is one last great hope—for our world, our nation, our children, and our churches. That hope only becomes visible when we become honest, when we define reality rightly.” Can you elaborate on that?
Ronnie: I believe it is easy to deceive ourselves and think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. Honesty about our spiritual condition is imperative. It is imperative for us personally and as a church. We cannot go where God wants us to go if we do not understand where we are today. We do not need to re-define the reality of our condition, but face the music about where we are today. When we reach that point, we will have the spiritual capacity to go forward with God in an unprecedented manner.
Sundi Jo: What would you say to those who think we need to stay on “our own land” before taking missions overseas?
Ronnie: The world is here in America, but not all of it. The number one issue is not “Who is more lost – someone in Africa or someone in America?” Both are lost. Therefore, THE #1 issue is ACCESS. Each person in the world deserves the privilege of having access to the Gospel. This is why we must go to all the nations, the people groups of the world. We must do all we can to share with them about Christ and, when possible, plant Gospel churches that can carry forth this message for generations to come.
Sundi Jo: How do you handle the opposition from that?
Ronnie: Biblically is the best way to handle opposition. Jesus has told us what to do. Who are we to debate that?
Sundi Jo: You talk about being the child’s model of what it means to believe in God. What changes could parents make in their lives today to make sure that’s happening?
Ronnie: Parents need to be discipling their children. They cannot lead their children to spiritual growth if they themselves are not growing spiritually. A child needs to “catch the faith of their parents” as much as be “taught the faith of their parents.” If we want them to get it, it will be caught more than taught.
Sundi Jo: In a world full of technology and social media, how can these be used as a tool to bring others to Christ, not only in the United States, but also all across the world?
Ronnie: We have access to the world. We need to use it. Gospel opportunities can be created on the web. Gospel communities can be created on the web – groups of people who have questions about God and are seeking the Lord. War rooms can be set up by churches and denominations for the purpose of strategizing to reach the world. Instantaneous interviews can happen globally at any time with missionaries around the world, all for the purpose of creating an appetite to win the world to Christ.
Sundi Jo: You said, “Jesus didn’t teach casual discipleship. He taught that it had a cost, that it required painful decisions, and that at times we need to walk away from other things we might have intended to do.” Have you experienced this – having to walk away from something else and make that painful decision?
Ronnie: I believe any growing Christian pays a price to serve the Lord. We may have to walk away from our own interests, relationships that are non-productive for the Gospel, or habits we inherited or created that have gotten in the way. As people grow, our hearts change, our priorities change, and our desires change. Being a disciple always has a price tag.
Sundi Jo: You’ve authored 20 books. That’s quite an accomplishment. Do you have a favorite?
Ronnie: I have two favorites . Our Last Great Hope is my heart for the most important thing, the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Ten Things Every Minister Needs to Know
Sundi Jo: Your story of The Invisible Harvest gave me chill bumps. What would you say to those who think sharing Jesus with others is too hard or won’t have an impact? Or those who don’t feel adequate enough to share the Gospel?
Ronnie: If they will do it, their lives will change. I have just returned from Brazil. I saw college students, high school students, an elite attorney and his wife, and many others share the Gospel and win people to Jesus Christ. Many of these have never had that experience before. God has the harvest ready. He wants us to participate in this harvest. We can pray. We can go. We can win. We can mobilize others to do the same.
What are you doing today to share the Gospel? What tools have you utilized to do so? Comment below…
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