I am currently a tri-vocational pastor and doctoral student. I know, I know...Nevertheless, for just this year, I am serving part-time at two churches, and at a secular job at a non-profit called MORTAR Cincinnati. MORTAR was founded in 2014, and also has locations in other states. We primarily support entrepreneurs of color from disenfranchised neighborhoods— offering these daring souls a tightly-knit community, small business education, access to capital and resources, and the connections they need to test out their ideas in real time.
Entrepreneurship is not an easy task. Armed with an idea, these dauntless folks defy societal norms to pursue their dreams. The U.S. Small Business Association says only 9.29% of the population can be considered entrepreneurs. That means over 91% of us enjoy the 'safety and security' of working 40 hours for someone else, while just under 10% have chosen the risk and freedom of working sometimes 80 or more hours for themselves. One word that describes these outliers is INTREPID, which means fearless; or adventurous. It derives from the Latin intrepidus which means not alarmed. Webster's Dictionary defines intrepid as bold and brave; characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance. Entrepreneurs are examples of living by faith.
The same INTREPID spirit is found in church planters like us and missionaries. We follow the call of God to start ministries in new places and challenging seasons with a vision to tell the world that Jesus Christ is LORD and King. Our friends Joe and LouAnn Luken left the U.S. to follow a dream they'd had since their 20's. They decided to raise their own financial support each year to minister to human trafficking victims in Thailand in their 60's. The Lukens moved their entire life, and learned Thailand's language and customs to love hurting people in Jesus' name. Paul wrote, "I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” (Rom 15:20-21)
We underestimate the courage it took to start the New Testament Church, and the boldness, faith, and perseverance it takes to obey the LORD's voice even today. In many places across the world, to identify yourself as a Christ-follower brings persecution, imprisonment, or even death. This is the climate early Believers in Jesus faced when Paul told his protege Timothy,
3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Paul's admonitions to Timothy prepared him to be a dauntless and daring leader in the face of trying times. King Solomon wrote, "If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10) Paul advised Timothy not to give up, cave in, or quit, but to endure in the face of tribulation. He assured his mentee:
7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began... (2 Tim. 1:3-9)
Have you lost or retained your sense of adventure in life? Would you call yourself fearless or fearful? Are you intrepid—willing to risk it all to proclaim and follow Jesus? | 
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