Dr. Kevin Folger preached from the Apostle Paul’s experience in Ephesus, using 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 to challenge believers on God’s open doors for gospel ministry. Through personal stories, biblical examples, and urgent calls to action, he highlighted that mission opportunities arrive with divine provision alongside spiritual opposition.
God Opens Doors for Those Who Are Already Busy Serving Him
Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 reveals a man immersed in ministry when God presented a great and effectual door. He planned to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost because the opportunity was ripe, even amid many adversaries. This principle rings true throughout Scripture. In Acts 16:4-5, Paul and Silas travelled through cities, delivering decrees from Jerusalem that strengthened churches and caused them to increase daily. These men were already busy fulfilling the Great Commission when further direction came.
Dr. Folger emphasized that open doors rarely appear to the idle. God directs those actively serving where they are. Whether teaching Sunday school, working in the nursery, or going soulwinning locally, faithfulness in small things precedes larger assignments. He shared the example of Bethany Baptist Church in Makati, Philippines. Established in the 1950s by missionary L.D. Woosley, this congregation now sends out its 85th missionary family despite operating within a 13-storey building in a crowded metropolis. A church of 800 runs like a beehive of activity because its people stay busy for the Lord. God honours such diligence with new doors.
God Provides Open Doors for Those Who Are Seeking Them and Willing to Follow
Paul actively sought God’s will on his second missionary journey. Acts 16:6 records that the Holy Ghost forbade preaching in Asia. Verse 7 notes the Spirit prevented entry into Bithynia. Undeterred, the team passed through Mysia to Troas. There, in verse 9, a vision appeared: a man of Macedonia pleaded, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Verse 10 states they immediately endeavoured to go, assuredly gathering that the Lord called them to preach the gospel there.
Dr. Folger recounted his own transition. In 2017, God stirred his heart that pastoring in Cleveland was ending. Clear direction emerged for Asian ministry. Like Paul, he followed closed doors until the right one opened. He celebrated Faithway’s 51-year legacy, born when someone obeyed God’s call to Ajax. Similarly, Roy Thompson arrived in Cleveland at age 19 with little support but sensed an open door. Obedience launched a church now 67 years strong, impacting five generations of the Folger family. Seeking and following remain essential.
Those Who Walk Through the Open Door Will Find Hearts That God Has Prepared for the Gospel
Stepping into Philippi, Paul found immediate fruit. Acts 16:13-15 describes a Sabbath gathering by the riverside where Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira, worshipped God. Her heart the Lord opened; she attended to Paul’s words, believed, and was baptized with her household. She then constrained the missionaries to abide in her home.
Later in the chapter, the Philippian jailer and his family came to faith after an earthquake shook the prison. God prepared hearts before Paul arrived. Dr. Folger testified that Roy Thompson knew nothing of the Folger family, yet God readied them. His grandfather attended the first service and urged others to come, launching decades of blessing. Missionaries today discover the same: God works ahead, softening ground for the seed.
A Timeless Call in 2025
The need persists. Over 3,800 languages await Scripture portions. The 10/40 Window houses 5.4 billion souls with minimal gospel access. Historical giants like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Hudson Taylor laboured seven years for first converts, yet churches thrive today because they stepped through open doors.
Dr. Folger urged every believer to pray, “God, give me an open door and I will step through it.” Local opportunities in Ajax abound, as do global ones. Retirement outpaces recruitment; selfishness often hinders surrender. Yet everything belongs to God, wallet, home, and future alike. The open door of missions awaits those busy in service, seeking His lead, and trusting prepared hearts on the other side.
