From Every Tribe and Tongue: Worship as God’s Mission [Day 2 of 21]

Post-meeting joy! 

After a full day of meetings, we gathered in the evening for dinner with the pastor and his family, our amazing translators, and the Worship Quest Academy team. It was a beautiful time of laughter, fellowship, and delicious Korean food following a fruitful planning session. 하나님은 선하십니다! (God is good!) [DAY TWO PHOTO]

Worship As God's Mission

“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

— John 4:24

God’s Dream: Relationship Restored

The mission of God is inseparable from worship. As John Piper famously wrote, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

God has a dream: “I will be your God, and you will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33). He is unceasingly seeking a people who will say yes to His invitation of relationship. Worship is the overflow of that restored relationship.

The Goal of Mission: Every Tribe and Tongue

Mission is incomplete until the full diversity of humanity is gathered at the throne of Jesus, worshiping the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).

As a response to God’s revelation, worship “in spirit and truth” is a living expression of His glory displayed among every nation, language, tribe, and tongue.

Discipleship in Worship

This is why discipleship in worship is essential. To worship in truth requires formation—learning God’s Word and God’s ways, being shaped by sound theology, and growing in spiritual discernment.

Throughout every era and culture, God has raised up men and women to teach and train believers on the path of spiritual maturity. Discipleship in worship is central to God’s mission.

The Role of Training and Culture

Projects like Worship Quest Academy exist for this very reason. Worship renewal and spiritual formation do not happen automatically; they require intentional investment, training, and mentoring.

Effective discipleship for the global church requires learning cultural contexts, honoring local expressions, and building genuine relationships. Only then can worship become what God intends—a reflection of His glory through the unique voices of His people in every nation.

Our Response

We worship because God is worthy. We go because Jesus commands us to make disciples. And until Christ returns, the Father is still seeking worshipers in spirit and truth.

Prayer of Intercession:

Father, You are worthy of all worship. Thank You for saving us. May Your glory be revealed among every nation, tribe, and tongue—especially here in Korea.

Strengthen Your missionaries and ministers, those You have sent. Be with Rob, Steve, Esther, and Jinsoo . Give them wisdom, anointing, humility, and love as they serve. Show them how to do Your work in Your way.

We also pray for those they will serve—for every church they enter, every Worship Quest Academy student they teach, and every person they encounter. Open hearts and minds, and release fresh revelation of Your transforming love and power. May every culture and community discover the joy of worshiping You in spirit and truth.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen

Real-Time Prayer Update — Thursday, September 18

We have been in Seoul for over 2 days, now it feels like we've been here forever.

Update

Today was full of meaningful encounters, cultural insights, and ministry connections.

• We shared an “interesting” meal in Incheon’s vibrant Chinatown, a colorful landmark of the Chinese community here.
• At the General MacArthur Memorial Park, we learned of Korea’s deep appreciation for America’s role in their freedom.
• At the Missionary Memorial, we stood where Horace Underwood and Henry Appenzeller—the first Protestant missionaries to Korea—arrived on Easter Sunday, 1885.
• We connected with local church leaders, including a Methodist pastor with a strong vision for global missions and a Presbyterian pastor whose family lived 23 years in Israel. Both visits strengthened important ministry relationships.
• We finished with a late evening music rehearsal for the upcoming services.

Prayer Requests

• We minister this Friday night at a large local church. Steve will preach, and Esther and I will lead worship. We are believing God for a revelatory experience — that the people will be edified, Jesus will be glorified, and the Holy Spirit will move powerfully. 

Thank you for praying!

Centennial Missionary Memorial – Korea

On Easter Sunday, April 5, 1885, American missionaries Henry G. Appenzeller and Horace G. Underwood landed here, risking their lives to bring the Gospel of Christ to Korea. This monument commemorates their bold witness and prays that the missionary spirit they carried will continue to sweep across the land and to the ends of the earth.

“The river of faith arising here…” continues to flow.