Introducing: Pressing OnWord

By Justin Edwards

I would like to introduce you to my friend and dear brother in Christ, Joshua Earl, host of Pressing OnWord. This ministry will focus on two primary goals: edification of the saints and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. The means by which Josh will serve you will be through short podcast messages posted to Pressing OnWord, and you can expect these messages to be posted here at airō. Josh's wife, Michelle, will also be serving in this ministry through her blog articles, which will seek to edify sisters in Christ. For future reference, you will find the link to Pressing OnWord under The Great Commission resource on the right of airō's page.

The following is a message from Josh that will give you a better understanding of the mission of Pressing OnWord. Please visit the website to learn more. I'm looking forward to joining Josh in getting the message of Jesus Christ out to the world, and with your help, we can all help to edify the Body through this ministry and reach lost souls while there is still time.

Brothers and Sisters,

The two-fold mission of Pressing Onword is to:

1. Exhort and encourage brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
Life is filled with challenges and hardships.  A great responsibility in being the “hands and feet” of Christ is to edify, encourage, and care for one another.  Romans 12:15 says to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,” and Galatians 6:2 says to “bear one another’s burdens.”  Paul sent Timothy to the church at Thessalonica to encourage them concerning their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2), so they would not grow weary.  He knew that it was easy to become tired and worn while fighting the good fight, and that the Believers needed a faithful brother to bring words of refreshment.

I pray also that God will use this site to warn the Body to stay on guard against the flesh and the Enemy.  Satan is likened to a lion who walks about, “seeking whom he may devour,” (1 Peter 5:8) so may the messages you hear and the blog posts you read be an aid in keeping your mind fresh and your heart battle-ready, so you do not fall into the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)

2. To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word is true, life-giving, and brings hope to the Believer and conviction to the sinner. My desire in preaching is that I would be a faithful steward of what He has given me, that He has entrusted me with the gospel, so I will speak as He leads, not as pleasing men, but God. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

My desire  is (and has always been) that no matter what is said or preached, that Jesus Christ would be at the center of the message.  There are many places we can go to hear a sermon, but few that will constantly point you to the Messiah.  I will be always in prayer that I do not fail to point you to Him.

May we continue to press on, that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of us! (Philippians 3:12)

 Blessings for the journey,

Joshua Earl