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[IMAGE CONTENT] Yesterday, we talked about GOERs and SENDERs. Today, I want to start off with an unusual sender in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Our unlikely hero is none other than Persia’s King Artaxerxes, who was the most powerful man on earth at the time. 150 years before his rule, Judah had been conquered, and the best and brightest Jews had been brought back to serve. Nehemiah was one of those Jewish captives who happened to be given the job of the king’s cupbearer. At the time, he was very concerned about the current state of Jerusalem, his people’s homeland which was in shambles. In Nehemiah 2:5-9, he asked his boss for permission to go back to Judah and rebuild and fortify the walls of Jerusalem. Then get this, Nehemiah asked the king to fund the entire project! Talk about a bold ask! “And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself." And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me. (Nehemiah 2:8) King Artaxerxes was certainly not a believer in the one true God, but God still used him as a sender! ### Passion for the Great Commission "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NLT) No matter what our station in life is, we are all called to be a part of the Great Commission. And the Great Commission calls us to reach all nations, not just those who live around us. “Goers” are the people who go. We can all “go” and tell our friends, neighbors and co-workers about Jesus, but we all can’t go to another country or continent. And then there are the “Senders.” Senders are the backbone of the Great Commission team. Senders are the ones that God uses to finance His mission. You’re probably thinking, “Oh no, he’s talking about money!” That may be true, but it’s much more than just money. Without the “Senders,” the “Goers” can’t go! And God speaks over and over again in His Word about using His people to fund His mission. That’s HIS PLAN! Being a Sender means that you are responsible for the financial blessings that God has entrusted you with, and your stewardship of those funds can impact lives around the world for eternity. That’s a way bigger deal than just giving more money, especially when you know it’s not yours to keep. We as Senders are truly the engine that drives the Goers. Not everyone is called to go. Not everyone CAN go. But most of us can be Senders regardless of how many languages we speak, where we live, or where we work. As Senders, we can impact anywhere in the world with the gospel. ### PRAY: Heavenly Father, how are You calling me to fulfill the Great Commission in my life? If You are calling me to be a Sender now, what does that look like in my life? What resources have You given me to spread the gospel around the world?