Cross Conference

This past week all of URBN Experience has been attending the Cross Conference. This conference is geared more towards overseas missions than those here on U.S. soil, but there was still plenty to learn! I was so encouraged by the multiple speakers and guest who themselves first heard of Christ because someone had been bold enough to share the Gospel with them. Throughout the week we heard talks on everything from Cross Cultural Difference to Business as Mission. My favorite talk and the one that really struck me was one titled "What Do Cross Cultural Missionaries Cross Cultures for?" This speaker started out by telling everyone that they should "Give a Damn for Christ." WAIT! WHAT? I know, right? This guy is speaking at a conference full of Christians and he just cussed and called everyone out and probably offended about half the people in the room. As offensive as it may seem, he was going somewhere with it and in the end it all made sense.

Many of you reading this and most of us that were in the room have heard or read the story of the poor widow in chapter twelve of the book of Mark verses 41-44.

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

These two coins that the widow had given were equivalent to about a half of a penny and were referred to as a "damn."

Did you get the connection there? A "damn" is worth about a half of a penny, meaning it is practically worthless. This is where we get the phrase "I don't give a damn." Insinuating that the subject is not worth talking or caring about. However, in the story of the poor widow we see that she gave all she had and she did so in faith. HERE'S THE CONNECTION: As the widow gave and gave faithfully, we too should care enough to (insert word here) and (insert the same word here) faithfully for the sake of the Gospel.