So far, 2019 has been a rush! While the responsibilities of my job have increased tremendously (I’m now working in Africa, the Middle East, and all of Asia), I have also stepped into a space of teaching and training our missionaries before they leave for the field. Let me say, I have found my niche! I have absolutely thrived and loved every minute of teaching!
A good part of the year was spent developing a set of training that was meant to increase the quality and effectiveness of our missionaries on the field. It was a tall order, and a long process, but an important one: a training that helps us to not repeat the mistakes of colonial missionaries.
We have to do better.
One of the biggest areas of focus that the training was to include, is how God reveals Himself and relates to people in a specific, cultural way. I don’t want our missionaries to go and present a western, cultural-Christianity, but rather present a Jesus that meets them where they are. We shouldn’t promote only an American expression of Christianity, but rather allow people to express their devotion to Jesus within their own culture, without compromising biblical truth.
Culture can be categorized into three primary groups, based on how they see the world through a certain lens. With that cultural understanding, we can contextualize our message.
We don’t change the truth of the Gospel, but we can change the way we talk about the Gospel.
Guilt-Innocence (western culture)
God is Judge. He is perfect, and we are not. Jesus took our place and received our punishment of a painful death. We can receive the gift of forgiveness and move forward with a clean record.
Shame-Honor (eastern culture)
God is Father and head of household. He is honorable, and we are not. Jesus took our place and bore our shame in a public death. We have received the gift of inheritance and can now dine with Him at the table in a seat of honor.
Fear-Power (tribal culture)
God is Protector. He is powerful, and we are weak and susceptible to evil. Jesus entered death on our behalf, and was raised in life and overcame the ultimate evil of death. We have received the gift of life and now put on the full armor of God.
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame‘.” – Romans 10:9-11
It’s not changing the truth of who God is, but rather emphasizing specific truths about God to reveal His character to people in a way that they can absorb.
We have missionaries all over the world currently contextualizing their message in this way, and the stories we are getting from the field are amazing! People all over the world are finally learning about a God that makes sense to them. Last month, we had a team use a Fear-Power presentation of the Gospel in Rwanda, and saw nearly 300 people decide to commit their lives to following Jesus!
Thank you for your prayers and support. The task remaining is large, but God is moving and we are blessed to be included.
HELP! I am looking for additional monthly partners that would commit to $25 or $50 a month. Over the next two months specifically, I need $360 by October 1st to meet my goal for for 2019 and continue training and sending missionaries to the nations. You can join my support team by the Donate button to the left, or e-mailing me at [email protected]
