Beyond the Book with Dr. Akin: “I Am Going, 2nd Edition”

In addition to serving as Southeastern’s sixth president, Akin also teaches at Southeastern as senior professor of preaching and theology. In the following Q&A, he takes some to share more about this publication and what it means to follow a God on mission.

Who is the audience of this book, and what mindset do you hope they will have as they approach it?

This book is intended for anyone interested in how they fit into God’s story for their lives in fulfillment of the Great Commission.  I think the ideal audience is high school and college students, though it’s also appropriate for adults of any age. I hope they approach the book with an openness to God’s will for their lives.

What originally inspired the creation of “I Am Going” 10 years ago?

The inspiration for the book is rooted in the truth that all of us are called to fulfill the Great Commission. All of us are to “go” in some capacity. Our going will look different depending upon our gifts and God’s calling upon our lives. However, all of us have a role in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Our going will look different depending upon our gifts and God’s calling upon our lives. However, all of us have a role in fulfilling the Great Commission.

What’s unique about this edition? How does it expand on the first?

This particular edition is even more missiologically driven. It includes wonderful stories of faithful missionaries who, though regular and ordinary people like us, followed the extraordinary God who then did extraordinary things in and through their lives. Further, it seeks to drive home with even greater force what God can do with a single life that is completely devoted to him.

Why is it important for Christians to see all of life, including the most mundane moments, as opportunities to live on mission for the gospel?

It is important for us to see the wonderful truth that God is always working in our lives for his glory. There is never a moment when God is not overseeing and superintending our lives. In fact, one of the amazing things about the Bible is how often God works in ordinary moments. We should not neglect the wonderful truth that he may do just exactly that in our lives as well. Our responsibility is simply to be obedient and open to such opportunities.

How has writing this edition shaped you spiritually? Did you learn anything new as you reflected further on God’s call to “go”?

My heart was again nourished as I worked on this book. I was reminded again of how I have a particular assignment to play in God’s great story of redemption. I was not called to be an overseas missionary, though I have been called to be a missionary exactly where I am planted. God has given me the specific calling of challenging and equipping those who will go to the hard places in North America and around the world. This book reminded me that all us have an assignment to play in God’s glorious plan. Again, are we willing to trust him with our lives no matter where he may send us and no matter what he may call us to do?

Again, are we willing to trust him with our lives no matter where he may send us and no matter what he may call us to do?

How have you been encouraged by examples of ordinary Christians committing to the work of missions and making disciples in their everyday lives?

I have been amazed at how those who are on mission for God find gospel opportunities time and time again. The fact of the matter is lost people are everywhere. Further, opportunities to share the gospel are everywhere. We simply need to be sensitive to what God is doing and open to obeying his call. If we would simply do that, God would do far more than we could ever hope or ask because he is a God on mission. And if that is true, and it is, then we need to be on mission with him. That is what “I Am Going” is all about.