Gospel Fuel

“Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.” David Sitton, a missionary to Papua New Guinea

This perplexing, seemingly paradoxical statement has been on my mind lately. Often times, things we perceive as negative, God uses in great ways for the Kingdom. How does this work, you ask? How does persecution and martyrdom fuel the gospel? I think it has something to do with the nature of suffering. When life is hard, we draw close to God. The closer we are to God the more we get excited about God. The more excited we are about God, the more we want to reach out and share Him with others. I’m sure there are other ways, this is just the major avenue I could think of.

This is the prayer focus for February and I’m just posting it at the end of April. For a few months I was rather busy working and studying for my aviation maintenance licensing test. I praise God that I have finished well, and now have my certification. I hope to finish a post soon talking about that whole twenty-seven month process. Even though this is a bit late, I hope it is encouraging and inspiring none the less. Though it is a long article, I hope you read it to the end. It is certainly worth it.

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Today, I come before you to talk about the unreached Prayer Focus for the month of February. This month’s prayer focus is found in the Middle East. The War torn country of Afghanistan presents many challenges for prayer. The country is mostly Muslim, with a very small group of Christians, who are heavily persecuted. I used to think that persecution was a hindrance to the advance of the gospel. I have since learned different. David Sitton, a missionary to Papua New Guinea. has said well, “Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.”

Jesus demonstrated this reality to His disciples not long before His death. In Luke 21:12-13 Jesus, talking about the ending of days, says, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness”.

"When Satan fell to earth, he fell in Kabul." This saying is sadly heard all too often in Afghanistan. Life in war-torn Afghanistan is hell on earth for many of its citizens. And for Christians, it's even worse. All Afghan Christians come from a Muslim background. If it becomes known that someone has converted to Christianity, he or she will face discrimination, hostility and severe persecution from their family, friends, community, local authorities and Muslim leaders. Due to this severe persecution, not a single official church remains in Afghanistan. Secret believers in Afghanistan are asking Christians worldwide to join them in prayer for their country.

It’s no surprise that the major religion in Afghanistan is Islam with 99.85% of the population. Only about 0.05% of the country is Christian. The country is comprised of about 68 people groups. Afghanistan has a population of about 29,117,000. The Official languages are Dari (Afghan Persian, spoken by 70%) and Pashtu (spoken by 50%). Out of the 43 languages in this country, there is but 1 Bible and 1 NT. 

Prayer Points: 

• Present Political Situation - a foreign military working with a national government that is trying to be both progressive and conservative - is far from ideal, but it is an improvement from the tyranny of the Taliban. The Taliban imposed a harsh brand of Islam on the nation and continue to be a threat to national stability and security. 
• The church in Afghanistan remains almost entirely underground, despite a slight improvement in the situation since the fall of the Taliban.
• Afghan Believers. Their numbers are increasing, as are the resources available to help disciple them. They can never meet publicly and even their secret meetings must change times and locations to avoid detection. Pray for the protection of these precious believers and for the clarity and consistency of their witness. 
• Afghans being reached by the Gospel. Most are devoutly Muslim, but many, uncomfortable with terrorist actions in Islam’s name are interested in discovering more about Jesus Christ. The long term presence of Christians working in aid, development and business, the return of former refugees who have encountered the gospel while abroad, the presence of Christian radio as well as dreams and visions of Jesus have all moved mountains. The greatest difficulty is that of identity - many cannot see how to be both Afghan and openly Christian, especially when no such recognition is offered within the wider Afghan society. Pray that the expression of faith will emerge that allows them to be truly Afghan while truly following Jesus. 
• Safety and perseverance for believers. Pray that no attacks by the enemies of the gospel might discourage or destroy the church, but that in the crucible of suffering, the body of Christ might mature and flourish.  
• Media is a strategic and indeed essential ministry. Pray that all appropriate methods of witness may be used in the most effective manner.  
• Literature. Currently, appropriate discipleship courses and other training materials are being developed in the major languages of Afghanistan, in addition to many other types of evangelistic materials. These have been effective in reaching Afghans in exile and at home. Pray for those involved in producing, distributing, and studying these materials. 
• Audio Resources. A set of forty-five scripture stories has been produced in Hazaragi, which can be an effective template for other languages. Several organizations have collaborated to make portable pre-recorded audio players - one evangelistic, one of the NT in Dari, and one for discipleship. Pray for their widespread distribution through the country. 
• Radio is a strategic way to proclaim the gospel since the majority of Afghans still listen to shortwave radio. Pray for the provision and support for more Dari and Pashto-speaking Christians to prepare programs and answer mail. A handful of ministries have contributed to develop many materials for radio and other media. “The Church in the Home” and other programs have been especially helpful for national believers. Pray also for programming to commence in other languages. 
• The need for the Scriptures. Afghanistan has about forty-three languages and only one Bible and one New Testament. 
• Every year, Christians lose their life for their faith. Often, these cases go unreported, but the pain and trauma of those who are left behind are immense. Pray that God heals the families of martyrs and makes them strong so they can endure in these difficult times. 
• Thank God for the many Afghans who listen to Christian radio stations or download Christian materials from the internet. Some are genuine (but isolated) believers, others are disappointed in Islam and want to know more about Jesus Christ.  

  

“Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.” The church in China is one example. In 1949 The People’s Republic of China was established. China was ruled by Mao Zedong, an atheist and communist dictator who resolved to extinguish Christianity in China. At the time, estimates show that there were about one million Christians in China. For the next thirty years, they would face severe persecution. By 1979, it was estimated that there were ten million believers and that number soon doubled to twenty million. How did this great revival come about through such severe persecution? There was one thing that stood out; the amount of time these believers would spend in prayer. But they were not praying for relief from their suffering, or for their own comfort. No, they prayed for their country They prayed that revival would come to China. Today there are an estimated eighty million believers in China. What if this is just the beginning? It is said that 2014 was the worst year for Christian persecution in recent history. God is at work and hears the prayers of His people. Imagine what God will do through the prayers of this small yet faithful church.

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My first reaction when I hear about Christian persecution is fear, sadness, and resentment at what people are doing to my brothers. Although, through the lens of the gospel, we can be joyful in the midst of their suffering. The spread of the gospel is quickening through all the suffering, persecution, and martyrdom that you see. It seems like at least several times a week I hear another account of Christian persecution. Let us expectantly petition the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. And let us joyfully remember our brothers and sisters, those labors of the harvest, with great fervency, as if we were there with them. Please join with me, going forward with joy, remembering the great salvation we have been given. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

Pray Earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest

2014 was a rather exciting year, in my life and in my church. Redeemer Christian Fellowship grew a lot and took on some new members, and leadership. I became the chairman of an outreach committee, the Benevolence Committee as we call it, and one of three new deacons. On January forth of this year, I gave a presentation to my church, just talking about my heart and vision for the gospel and the church. My notes from that presentation comprise the main meat of this post. I must beg your pardon, my notes from this presentation are not as polished as I’d like. But, this post is already a month overdue, considering tomorrow is the beginning of February. I hope to post my notes from my other presentations coming up this year. Through this, I’d like to give my church a marker of where we are, but just as much, I hope to encourage anyone who reads this to join me in praying for the spread of the gospel.

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Thursday marked the beginning of a new year. Most people have things they want to do different, change, or start in the the new year. I certainly am no exception. I have made several resolutions of things I want to do differently in ministry, my career and my walk with God. As you all know, this last year I became the benevolence committee chairman. That is something I believe to be an appointment from God. I've served God on several mission trips, and I believe He is calling me to be a missionary. My heart for missions was inspired when I was young, through a Voice if the Martyrs Conference. When I was fourteen I went on my first mission trip to Mexico and returned every year through high school. When I graduated high school, I spent a year in Mexico serving and living at an orphanage. At the end of of that year, my uncle asked me to go with him to Cameroon, in West Africa, on a mission trip. I am really excited about getting things going with the benevolence committee. I look forward to seeing this church grow as we reach out to the community and the world.

This committee was originally conceived to find ways to distribute money to the poor in Roswell, and ways to support evangelistic mission. It’s great to give money, but I think this committee can be a lot more. By growing the church, we reach out to the community, and then to the world. I believe we need to be reaching out to the community, sharing the gospel and the love of Christ. And then we extend that to the nations. I believe every disciple, every Christian has an obligation to share the gospel. Ever notice how Jesus’ first disciple was a fisherman. Luke 5:4-11 "And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him". I think that every disciple from there on is called to be a “fisher of men”. Jesus sends his disciples to preach the gospel, sending them on evangelistic journeys twice during His ministry, and then, giving them the Great Commission after His resurrection.

Whereas I  do believe every Christian is called to preach the gospel, I don’t believe every Christian is called to give up their lives and move to a foreign country to make disciples. We all need to live obediently where God has placed us. However, I do think everyone has a stake in the great commission. If God has not called us to go, we need to be supporting missions. Supporting missions can mean giving financially, or giving of your time in prayer. One of my resolutions for this new year is to pray more faithfully for the lost, particularly for the unreached and unengaged peoples of the world. And, today, I’d like to ask you to join me.

My heart is burdened to pray for the unreached because they make up about a quarter of the world’s population, about 1.7 billion people, and have little to no access to the gospel. I believe the salvation of the nations is pleasing to God. Revelation 7:9 “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”. There is great power in prayer. Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened". Then in Matt 18:20 we see the importance of praying together. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” History is full of examples of people who were faithful to pray...and as a result, it changed the world. I think it's unacceptable that their are so many people who have little to no access to the gospel. Will you help me change this?

My desire is to pray as Jesus directed in Luke 10:2 - “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” In this new year, I’d like to pray for one unreached people group every month. The first week of each month, I'll tell you a bit about the prayer focus for that month. I'll give some facts about them, and some pointers in praying for them.

The first group is the Bania people. They number 27,931,000 in population and are spread out through five countries,  in Pakistan speaking Sindhi, India and Nepal speaking Hindi, Bangladesh speaking Bengali, Sri Lanka speaking Gujarati.

Alternate names: Bania or Mahajan.

Religion: Hindu, Jain, Lingayat Cult.

Business, trade, jewellery-making and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Vania. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Vania's art and culture. The naming of the newborn ritual is performed by a Jangam priest by putting a thread around the infant's neck.

The Vania are Hindu by religion. They are Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them are from the Jain community. The Vania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahman, Valand, Soni and other communities through trade and service. The Vania in the state of Maharashtra are mostly the followers of the Lingayat Cult.

Prayer Points
* For the salvation of the Vania people and that God may send several Christian workers among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.
* Pray for developmental and literacy programs among the people.

I believe this church is an oasis in the desert. It is a church that won’t die. God is actively using this church and has has drawn people from all around. I believe, if we are faithful, it can be a light to the world. I'm really excited to see what God does with this church in the months and years to come.
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I hope you were encouraged by what you read. If you’d like to join us, check back after the first Sunday of each month. Although, as you can see, February will be a little different. I hope to post the notes for February in a few days. I know God hears the prayers of His people. I can’t wait to be joined with Christ in heaven and see people from every tribe, tongue, language, and nation, praising Him around His throne.