Christ and God's Word Remain Central to MAF

By John Boyd
President, MAF-US

"The centrality of Christ in our ministry is an imperative."

That was the foremost point John Boyd made during his inaugural address to MAF-US staff in Nampa on Jan. 21.

Boyd stressed that the words above his desk and on the wall of his home church in Cape Town, South Africa - "God's Word Above All Things," and the centrality of Christ - will guide him and MAF in the future.

"MAF may experience some changes in systems and structure going forward," he said, "but the centrality of Christ and God's Word will not change."

Boyd said he sees himself as the "organizational architect of what we discern God is leading MAF to do and become in the weeks, months and years ahead."

"Yet," he added, "God initiates change, and He will initiate change for His benefit and for His good and for the good of the organization."

Boyd used as his text Isaiah 43:18-19, which speaks of God doing "a new thing" by making "a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

As he began his remarks, he noted it was exactly 20 years and a day since he committed his life to Christ at a church in Cape Town.

Boyd said MAF has a "great identity." We will retain that identity, and the Lord will bring us together prayerfully so that we can be even more active for the Kingdom.

"The Lord Jesus in His sovereignty is looking to us as His salt and light wherever we are," he said. Boyd is confident that not only does God have an even more significant role for MAF to play, but He will also reveal new directions for ministry expansion.

Looking into the future, Boyd said he believes MAF must further develop the management skills of its people so the ministry is better able "to do what God wants us to do."

MAF must continue to "value our people for who and what they are, as well as the gifts and skills that He's blessed each of us with," he stated.

In addition, Boyd proposes to focus on building sustainable support through "prayer, people and partners."