announcement - Church of God of Prophecy

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4 WWM S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9 David Bryan Global Outreach Ministries Director W hen the Church in a nation is led by people from that nation—those individuals who live in the same kind of houses, eat food that is commonly eaten by their neighbors, speak in languages, dialects, and accents that readily identify them as “one of us”—the Church tends to thrive. In some ways, this is an example of the “birds of a feather flock together” principle that is true whether you are a Bantu from Africa, a Korean professional living in Seoul, or a Puerto Rican growing up in New York City. There are wonderful benefits that flow from this strategic emphasis on indigenous leadership. Christianity cannot be branded a foreign religion when the church in a
place has native leaders, who follow the Holy Spirit by expressing the Gospel in the words, pictures, and rhythms of their people. The Spirit is the Teacher behind the Text and the Testifier of our testimonies, but God clearly maximizes the impact of witness through a person who knows intimately the worldview and perspectives of his neighbors and communicates the Gospel in the most winsome and understandable way. Actually, the native evangelist or pastor may have a distinct advantage in steering clear of presenting the Gospel in ways that might be offensive. Of course, there are aspects of the biblical message that offend people from every culture. That’s part of the sting of a Gospel that judges human arrogance and goes completely against the grain of the pull-yourself-up-byyour-bootstraps religion that is found in practically every culture. When I trudged across the dusty lot in the rural area called Piggs Peak for Swaziland’s national convention, I was stirred to give thanks for leaders committed to Jesus Christ, the Church of God of Prophecy, and winning their nation to Jesus Christ. The weather was warm without being oppressive; however, when we approached the tent, the temperature seemed to climb, and thousands of people were jammed into the confines of the 4,000-person tent, with many individuals standing. I picked my way along behind National Overseer Bishop Stephen Masilela as the wall of bodies seemed to open up in front of him. The atmosphere was electric; the animated voices of thousands of people singing words I did not understand was exhilarating—inviting participation but also a bit disconcerting because I could not understand what they were saying. After visiting more than 50 countries in the last dozen years, this experience of culture shock is no longer unexpected or off-putting. Brother Stephen easily slipped into his native Swazi to greet the throngs under the tent, and it became crystal-clear once again that there is something uniquely powerful about being able to communicate the Gospel in the language in which people laugh and cry. The Church of God of Prophecy has enshrined this approach in its mission outreach around the world. In far-flung places, even where there is crushing poverty, stifling government oppression, and incredible geographical, linguistic, and cultural distance from the West, our ministries are rescuing the unreached. In Myanmar, as part of a restricted minority, our “missionaries” are sharing the Good News of Christ along with a bowl of rice. Not far from the Swat Valley in Pakistan, our “missionaries” are hazarding their lives, courageously telling the story of “Isa” (Jesus). They are not foreigners who can appeal to their government for protection and preferential evacuation when simmering tensions boil over. I visit many places, and our leaders deeply appreciate my presence since it is a tangible symbol of our global family, but I am merely a visitor. They are people of the soil, and they are not going anywhere. Since they are not tourists, the sense of commitment to God continues to call His people in every nation to cross all kinds of barriers to take the Gospel to the unreached . . . place—despite poverty and pressures of all kinds—is absolute. The indigenous principle also has a way of empowering people. One of the values that the Gospel brings wherever it goes is a concern for the dignity and potential of all people as image-bearers of God. When we who come from other cultures recognize that the same Holy Spirit who redeemed, justified, called, and gifted us has done that in the lives of people of other languages, cultures, and ethnic groups, then we can approach our “native missionaries” not merely as those we must teach but those we must listen to and learn from. They know the work of the Holy Spirit and the operation of God’s Word and help us understand better how to evangelize, teach, and lead. This reality is empowering because it is capable of lifting people above the demeaning effects of poverty, class, religious prejudice, racial bigotry, injustice, and past sin. The Holy Spirit has poured leadership gifts out among all peoples He has redeemed to accomplish the callings of God, and it is a wonderful gift to support these precious servants of God. More than 85 percent of our national overseers lead our ministries in the nation of their birth or in a country that is closely related in culture and language. We are committed to supporting this strategic approach to evangelizing the world. It has allowed us to continue pressing into new areas within the nations. God continues to call His people in every nation to cross all kinds of barriers to take the Gospel to the unreached—language, race, economic status, social/religious class, geography, and culture. Supporting “native missionaries” who are anointed and called to share Jesus with the whole world is not negotiable. We must continue to do so with greater intensity than ever before. Thank you for praying, supporting, and undergirding our incredible missionary force in the nations. Your help is needed now more than ever. WWM S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 9 5
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