Who Will Pick Up the Mantle?
October 9, 2023
“Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.” 2 Kings 2:13
Loren Cunningham has passed through the veil and into eternity. He was a giant in the faith who galvanized the modern missions movement unlike anyone in history. He launched Youth With A Mission (YWAM) at the age of 24 from Lausanne, Switzerland in 1960. This movement changed the face of world missions as he commissioned countless millions to take up the call to take the fame of Jesus to the farthest corners of the world.
He was the first man in recorded history to preach the gospel in every sovereign nation, all dependent countries and over 100 territories across the globe. There was simply no one like Loren. He leaves behind a gaping hole of leadership in the missions and world evangelization movement that begs to be filled.
Not only was he was one the most joyful people I have ever known, but he was also one of the most encouraging. I remember when a group of us young leaders sat together dreaming about a new missions school we would call “Fire and Fragrance” in Kona, Hawaii. We dreamed of fusing the “fire” of the prayer room with the “fragrance” of evangelism to the lost in a new expression within YWAM. This rugged mission pioneer was all ears and giddy with excitement at the dream God had given us.
He smiled as we shared our grandiose ideas and curriculum plans when he turned to me saying: “Don’t forget Sean, it is really ALL about Jesus and His name being known across the world. If it’s about Him, then I am 100% in!” Loren never changed the channel. There was no hype and no fluff. It was all about the global harvest and the Great Commission (Matthew 28).
He joins countless heroes in the last season who graduated to heaven while passing the baton to the next generation to do the works of the Kingdom. Many giants in the faith have now graduated onto glory: Oral Roberts (2009), Billy Graham (2018), Reinhard Bonnke (2019) and Pat Robertson (2023) just to name a few.
Mantles were a big deal in Elijah’s day. In fact they were such a big deal that Elisha refused to leave the side of his master three separate times until he received it (2 Kings 2:2, 2:4 and 2:6). Elisha even had the audacity to ask Elijah for a “double portion” of his anointing and authority when he departed (1 Kings 2:9). He possessed the hunger and persistence to stay around long enough to get it.
These mantles represented a man's gift, the call of GOD, and the purpose for which GOD has called him. The mantles served as a symbolic purpose, in the case of the prophets, showing they were wrapped in GOD's authority.
So what about the mantles left behind by these great men of God in our day? These are mantles of extravagant devotion, unbelievable pursuit of God’s calling and the passion and willingness to sacrifice everything to follow Jesus.
Rather than join the noise of those who want to discredit these men, their ministries and pick apart callings due to their faults (which Elijah also had many), we now have a choice to make.
Will we be bold enough to ask for a double portion on our lives? On our ministries? In our generation?
These moments on earth when great general pass onto glory are times to reevaluate and reassess where we are going and what we are achieving. Are we building for clicks, hits, recognition, fame and the praise of men? Or are we sold out and surrendered to the call of the the Father over our lives? Are we willing to sacrifice, risk and go ALL IN on God’s dream for our generation?
I am stirred today my friends. I know my missions-driven dad is up in heaven now scheming and praying with Loren and other heroes on how we finish the task of the Great Commission in our generation.
It’s time for us to take up the mantles and run the race before us.
“Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” 2 Kings 2:8
Let us press in with our whole hearts for the Kingdom is at hand.