Gary Krause shares a first hand story of a Global Mission pioneer living in an intense situation. Pioneers are working around the world to spread the message of Jesus!
Around the world today we face many different mission challenges. I think for example of the 10/40 window, which stretches from Northwest Africa, through the Middle East, into Asia. That’s where the majority of the world’s population lives, and the fewest Christians. I also think of the growing cities of the world. Again, where the majority of the population lives. This is a tremendous challenge, particularly for Seventh-day Adventists because traditionally we have focused more on rural areas, and that’s where we have grown our church.
As we look at these challenges, as we look at the challenges of secularism and postmodernism in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, increasingly in North America, we see that we are not sufficient for these things. But God has called us to join Him in His mission to make disciples in these areas of the world.
Not so far from here in the Philippines, there is a place called Kalimantan. Many years ago I met a Global Mission pioneer there, planting new groups of believers. I asked him about his story, how he started and kind of smiled and said, “When I started it was really difficult. There were men running up and down the main street holding the decapitated heads of their enemies.”
This poor young pioneer had arrived in the middle of some civil warfare to plant a church. But there he was and he put Christ’s method into practice. He said, “We have an expression here which when translated says, ‘I tread the ground,’ which means I come here, I become like the people.”
That’s what we see around the world today. We see Global Mission pioneers treading the ground like Jesus did, in incarnational ministry, rubbing shoulders with people, ministering to their needs, showing sympathy, winning confidence, and bringing them to Jesus Christ.
Your Annual Sacrifice Offering makes a tremendous difference in supporting Global Mission around the world. It makes possible for pioneers to do their work. It makes it possible for Global Mission Centers to help us bridge to people from other religions and cultures. It helps make a difference to lead men and women, boys and girls to Jesus Christ.
So thank you so much for your continuing support for Global Mission through your support of the Annual Sacrifice Offering!
