A Sprint to the Finish
I used to run cross-country races in High School. Even if I was leading when I entered the final lap, I knew I would need energy for a sprint to the finish line. With the start of 2008 our ministry is rounding the bend and heading for the finish line. Five short months before we leave for East Asia School of Theology (EAST) in Singapore. We cannot extend the deadline past June 2008, that would not be fair to anyone. The time has come for the final, all-out, go-for-broke effort.
We have received the figures for what we need to move, and they have increased significantly. The cost for housing in Singapore has skyrocketed and the US dollar has plummetted. Plus we need to budget more for the kids' schooling. Let me put this in perspective. In the past six months I have worked harder than ever on fund-raising. But in the next six months God needs to provide at least three times as much monthly support as was pledged in the past six months.
But, we are not giving up-we will be working harder and smarter than ever. We will be doing everything humanly possible. But what needs to happen is not humanly possible. All we need is a miracle! To that end we are asking God for a team of 50 partners willing to pray daily for this need to be met. (Brigitte & I are praying at noon each day.) Would you be willing to be part of this team? I will be sending out an e-mail Prayer Update every Friday. We need people who can pray daily or weakly! J |
Country Focus: China
(Next Month: Korea)
 Did you know that China-communist China-has a vision to be the largest missionary sending force in the world by the year 2020? They plan to send at least 100,000 missionaries to take the gospel "Back to Jerusalem" (see: www.backtojerusalem.com).
Between China and Jerusalem stand 2 billion people, 50 countries, and the strongholds of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. But Chinese believers may be the best people to reach this region for three reasons. First they do not stand out like westerners do. Second, their government is viewed favorably by Muslims. And third, they are better prepared to handle persecution. They count the cost and they know how to be "careful" in a hostile environment.
Recently I asked a long-term missionary to China what he considered to be the greatest need of the church in China. He expressed it in one word: depth. China has at least 100 million Christians, but there is an acute shortage of trained leadership for the churches. The result is shallow beliefs and even home-grown cults.
The churches in the west cannot meet their need for leadership. But we can train and equip national believers who are more than up to the task. |
