Last year Global Interaction, with the support of Baptist
Financial Services, launched its first discipleship App
called Ekteino. Mary Ackers, Youth and Young Adults
Pastor at Salisbury Baptist Church took up the four
week challenge to stretch out (that’s kinda what Ekteino
means) – to impact her world and the people around her
for good. So let’s find out how the stretching went…
What did you like about Ekteino? How has it impacted you?
Ekteino had a definite purpose going
through the daily challenges. It really
felt like a journey of discovery! I also
loved that it was relevant to local and
global mission. Regardless of where
your passion for missional activity lies,
there is something for everyone in this
journey. In the past, when I’ve thought
about ways to ‘stretch-out’ into
my community, it’s felt like a huge
challenge and at times has been
overwhelming. Going through
Ekteino gave focus and direction to
my thoughts and I felt much more
encouraged about the number of
missional opportunities already in
my community. I’ve really begun to
think differently but also listen to
God’s leading. I now do a lot more
noticing and thinking about what was
happening around me and less getting
caught up in my own head. It has been
encouraging and eye-opening.
I also liked the look and feel of the
app. I could take notes and save them
for future reference and I enjoyed
the other media (stories, videos, etc.)
that gave insight into the concepts
explored.
What surprised you?
I was pleasantly surprised by how
much I got out of the daily challenges.
I sometimes struggle with daily
devotionals, as they can be anecdotal
and superficial, but with Ekteino it was
different. A Bible reading with both
active and reflective responses fit the
bill for a daily Bible time for me.
Take Global Interaction’s Ekteino
challenge! Over four weeks, discover
more about God, His plans and how
you can partner with Him in our
world through intentional action
and reflection. Download from your
favourite App store (yep, it’s free!).
Ekteino has given me some great tools
and strategies for engaging with my
neighbours and seeking out ways to
stretch out into the world around me.
This was really one of the most
engaging devotion-type exercises I’ve
done and I really enjoyed it! I only wish
there was more!
resonate · issue 29 · page 15