NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Making an Impact
by Wayne Stiles

When Jesus walked the land of Israel, He encountered many types of people, always teaching them God’s Word and often meeting their many physical needs.

More than anyone else who has ever lived, Jesus made an impact. But hardly ever did He do ministry in the same way twice.

When speaking to a curious and educated Pharisee, Jesus used theological metaphors, including humanity’s need to be “born again.” But later, when conversing with an immoral woman, Jesus spoke in simple terms and compared her thirst for water to her need for living water. Before the multitudes, the Lord spoke in parables, but to His disciples, He explained everything plainly. When His glory-hungry apostles tried to keep children from bothering Him, Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed them.

His methods of meeting people’s physical needs also varied — often wildly. For one blind man, Jesus used spit mixed with dirt to restore sight.But for a centurion’s servant, the Lord brought healing from a distance . . . by simply speaking a word.

Whether through compassionate counseling of the hurting, preaching God’s kingdom to the multitudes, mentoring the disciples as they journeyed together, serving those with special needs, or embracing and blessing children — our Lord Jesus Christ ministered in a variety of ways, depending on the needs at hand. In doing so, He made a tremendous impact.

Just as the Lord utilized many different methods to minister to many different people, so Insight for Living Ministries remains committed to using a variety of means to meet the various spiritual needs of people . . . right where they are. Like Jesus, we are committed to making an impact.

Wayne Stiles serves as executive vice president and chief content officer at Insight for Living Ministries where he leads alongside a creative team of writers, editors, pastors, and designers. He has also authored two books with Regal Books. Wayne earned his master of theology and doctor of ministry degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Cathy, have two daughters.