Be Full – “Answering the Call"

We wrap up Be Full 2025 this week with a global look at God’s calling on every generation to go to “the ends of the earth” to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our guest speaker is Dr. David Ro, the founder and director of Arise Asia, a movement to activate Generation-Z Asians to become a mission force in Asia and beyond. A new generation is being called in Asia, and they are answering the call.

1. Introduction (Pastor Ben)
   
   • “Be Full” is “a celebration of generosity” – a pause to celebrate all that God is doing through the generosity of the people of Cape Cod Church. Over the last three weeks, we’ve gotten glimpses of that work both “Across the Street” and “Around the World” – and how we’re called as believers to join God in that work – the work of showing and telling the world about the love of Jesus.
   • This week, as we finish up Be Full, we look again “around the world” as we’re joined by David and Jackie Ro, founders and leaders of Arise Asia – a movement designed to turn Asia “from a mission field to a mission force” by energizing and activating a new generation of missionaries from Asia.
2. Arise Asia Movement (Dr. David Ro) (Romans 15:20-21)
   
   • David and Jackie started out as missionaries to China as a young married couple. Standing on the shoulders of those who began going to China with the gospel back in the 1800s (many from New England), they made the decision to give their lives to the purpose of growing the church in China.
   • At the time (early 2000s), China’s independent Christian churches (“house churches”) were growing rapidly despite increasing scrutiny and interference by the government. The Ro’s house church grew almost overnight to over 100 worshippers crammed into a 2-bedroom apartment, with baptisms taking place in their bathtub!
   • Ultimately, the Ro’s were forced to leave China and came back to Boston to serve at Gordon-Conwell seminary but increasingly believed that God was moving in China – and all of Asia – in an unprecedented way, especially in the younger generation. “God moves in waves, in generations, and in regions – and he’s now moving in Asia through Generation Z.”
   • They were called back to Asia to begin the Arise Asia movement, challenging Asian Christian college students to “go where there is no gospel” (Romans 15:20-21) and give their lives to the call of missions. Many have responded, either to a lifetime calling, or to a 1-year commitment to serve.
   • As generations of missionaries have shown, “suffering and missions go together” – that’s the “missiology of the cross.” So why are Gen-Z Asians responding to the Arise Asia movement and to the call of missions? Largely because they are a generation that wants to change the world, no matter the cost. They see the challenge and the calling and are responding, because they understand that “a life that’s willing to die for God is a life worth living.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

These passages may provide additional insights related to the subject of this week’s message. All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:14-16; Romans 10:13-15; 2 Timothy 3:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-14

Video of the Week: Pentecost: Acts 1-7 by the Bible Project

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

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1. As we wrap up Be Full for another year, and as you consider the projects and partnerships that have been showcased, what are you most excited about for the Cape Cod Church Missions program in 2026?

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2. The Arise Asia movement came about partially due to the persecution faced by Christians in China and elsewhere. In your view, is persecution generally a good thing or bad thing for the spread of the gospel? Explain your answer.

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3. Read Romans 15:20-21. Do you believe it’s the calling of every follower of Jesus to “preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard”? Why or why not?

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4. Most of us won’t be called to go to the darkest corners of the unreached world to tell people about Jesus. How then do we fulfil our (individual) calling to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)?

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5. Dr. Ro spoke about how Generation Z is responding in a unique way to the call of missions and to living out the gospel. Why do you think that is?

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6. As mentioned last week, our own response to Jesus’ command to “tell people about me everywhere” (Acts 1:8) can come in many forms, including serving, giving, “going” and praying. As we prepare to enter the new year, what do you feel called to do in response to Jesus’ call to Missions?

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