The Fellowship of the Suffering

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings." Philippians 3:10 (ASV)If we follow Jesus, we will experience pain. It comes with the territory. We might face hardship because of our Christian commitment, or we may have challenges just from living in a fallen world. Either way, Christians follow in the footsteps of our suffering Savior and participate in his suffering.But that's not the whole story. Missionary Paul Borthwick and pastor Dave Ripper show how transformation through our personal pain enables us to minister faithfully to a hurting world. They candidly share about their own struggles and how they have seen God's kingdom advance through hardship and suffering. Though we naturally avoid suffering, Christians throughout church history have become powerful witnesses to Christ as a result of their brokenness.Life is painful, but pain need not have dominion over us. Instead, it can propel us in missional solidarity with our suffering world. Come find comfort and renewed purpose in the fellowship of the suffering.

Paul Borthwick (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is senior consultant for Development Associates International and previously taught global Christianity at Gordon College for thirty years. His books include Western Christians in Global Mission, Six Dangerous Questions to Transform Your View of the World, and Great Commission, Great Compassion.

Dave Ripper (MDiv, Denver Seminary) is Lexington campus pastor and young adult ministries pastor at Grace Chapel, a multisite church with campuses throughout Eastern Massachusetts. In addition to his role at Grace, Dave also serves as the chaplain for the Boston Bruins, and as a regional leader in the Made to Flourish pastors' network. He and his wife, Erin, and their family, make their home in Greater Boston.