Lost from AsiaLink HistoryMaker on Vimeo.
Archive for the 'Missions' Category
Do you have a globe in your home?
Read Ann Voskamp’s thoughts on how to go into all the world.
The Big Picture points to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and other countries in Africa.
Pray.
See more pictures here.
On an online news article tells how Norway’s Kasper Ilaug responded to a call saying that nearby young people were in grave danger. Christian brothers and sisters, we have also received a desperate phone call. Will we respond like Kasper Ilaug?
Kasper Ilaug had been sitting in his cabin on Norway’s Storoya Island when a friend contacted him to say that something terrible had happened following the bomb blast in Oslo and that he must use a nearby boat to help rescue people from Utoeya.
‘I thought he was joking with me,’ he said.
But determined to do what he could, he grabbed his iPad, mobile and put on a bright yellow jacket with a red helmet and ran down to and 18ft fishing boat before heading off in the direction of Utoeya island, north west of Oslo.
Within minutes he had reached the shore and spotted a number of children hiding behind the rocks and crouching behind trees.
‘We saw some youngsters laying there and waving to us. They were terrified,’ he said. Most of them, dressed in nothing but bathing suits, were shivering from the cold and quickly clambered into the boat.
‘I then got this text message from one of my friends that said there’s a lunatic out there shooting people,’ he told CNN news.
Making three trips in total, at one point he spotted a group of youngsters behind some rocks.
‘I tried to wave to them and to get their attention, but I didn’t get a reponse. I thought maybe they are still in shock or laying behind that rock for shelter.’
Rescue workers set up camp across a lake and opposite the small island of Utoeya
At least 84 people have been killed in the devastating attack on Utoeya island
However he soon realised they had been killed by the suspected gunman Anders Breivik, 32, who had been on a rampage, calling over his victims before opening fire on them.
Breivik killed 84 people at the summer political youth camp which was organised by the country’s leading Labour Party.
Victims described how they could hear his boots crunching on the ground as he sought out his victims and wearing what appeared to be a police uniform.
Mr Ilaug said several of the people he rescued told him that a policeman has opened fire on them.
‘I think I made three trips, they were so grateful. One girl started crying.
‘We’re just 4.7 million people. Nothing much happens here. Even in catastrophic situation like this, we keep calm.
‘I’m just an ordinary Norwegian people. I expect that other Norwegians would do the same thing for me in a similar situation.’
Of course, we have not received a phone call. Rather God has spoken to us in His Word. The situation of lost people is as desperate at that of those on the island in Norway. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. The wages of sin is death. And not everyone who thinks he or she is going to Heaven is.
The Good News has been entrusted to us. We have a mission.
Sure the guy has a gun. Yet, as Luther contended, the mission is worth the risk! Don’t get sidetracked with petty issues. Let’s get in our boats and go.
Justin Taylor summarizes four waves of change for which John Piper is praying:
- Putting world evangelization into the passions of a new generation.
- Weaving the dark thread of hell back into the fabric of our compassion.
- Blowing away misperceptions about what is needed in missions.
- Persuading pastors that a passion for the global glory of God is good for the saints at home.
Read an explanation of each here.
Our church family looks forward to hosting a missions appointee to Togo on Sunday.
Two years ago, I made a missions trip to Togo, Africa. I went with the experienced missionaries of ABWE. I was in good hands. Still, it is a long way from Stillman Valley, IL to Mango. And, I had to ask, “Is it responsible to risk going to a remote part of Africa?”
Relative to a far riskier ministry, Martin Luther once spoke to whether or not Christians should take chances ministering to those with the bubonic plague. Though, the worst of the plague was in 1350, it was still around in Luther’s day. On August 2, 1527, it was discovered in Wittenberg. Near panic ensued. The University was closed and the city evacuated. Luther, however, stayed and busied himself with pastoral ministries and caring for the sick.
People encouraged Luther to speak to whether or not Christians should risk the plague to minister to the sick. That November, Luther summarized his thoughts for a pastor friend in Breslau. He did not think everyone needed to stay, but he did argue that those on whom the sick person is dependent should remain.
This I well know, that if it were Christ or his mother who were laid low by illness, everybody would be so solicitous and would gladly become a servant or helper. Everyone would want to be bold and fearless; nobody would flee but everyone would come running . . . If you wish to serve Christ and to wait on him, very well, you have your sick neighbor close at hand. Go to him and serve him, and you will surely find Christ in him. (Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, edited by Lull. Background information also comes from Lull.
In Mango, Togo, there is scarcely any Gospel witness or medical care. I am persuaded that believers who hear God’s call to touch Togo, will one day know that they did a lot for for the least, even for our Lord himself (Matthew 25:40). The picture I frequently post of the little girl we call at our house, “Miss Mango,” is the face I have in mind. She’s worth the risk in her own right, but all the more when we remember our Lord’s words.
And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40).
Dr. Mike Wittmer interacts with an article about the growth of Christianity in China:
I haven’t had the energy or time to post new entries during summer school, but I just read this encouraging article about the rise of Christianity in China in Time magazine. I taught English in the university district of Beijing from 1990-92, and I can hardly imagine the phenomenal growth of the Shouwang church there.
Read the rest here.
What do Christians believe about the fate of those who don’t turn to Christ?
Do We Really Believe What We’re Saying? from The Church at Brook Hills on Vimeo.
HT: JT
See also this post on the Gospel Coalition site that interacts with different options for the future of those who haven’t heard the Gospel.
Reading this story about the persecuted church in China may encourage you to pray for believers in China even as you’re thankful for a dry place to worship this Lord’s Day.
Christianity Today:
The global media spotlight has recently centered on the meeting place of Shouwang Church in Beijing. Since April 10, the unregistered congregation of 1,000 mostly young professionals has been forced to worship outdoors after the landlord of its rented conference hall gave in to mounting government pressure and terminated the church’s lease.
During the past three Sundays, numerous uniformed and plainclothes police officers were sent to a public square at Zhongguancun, known as “China’s Silicon Valley,” where Shouwang worshipers were supposed to gather. Hundreds of Shouwang members were detained, from a few hours to 48 hours. They worshiped—reading the Bible, singing hymns, and praying—after being loaded onto buses or held in police stations. Many others have been under house arrest. The church’s leaders, including four pastors and three elders, have been under house arrest for most of the past two weeks. Some church members have lost their jobs or rented homes—or both.
On Easter Sunday, more than 30 people were rounded up at Zhongguancun, while many Shouwang members were confined to their homes. A young couple asked the police to drive them to the Zhongguancun square. . .
Read the rest here.
Take 10 minutes to watch this and you will have witnessed an illustration of those who understand Psalm 19:7-11.
HT: Justin Taylor
