How about some encouraging news coming from the IMB? I think you will agree that we all can use some.
Next week, the BOT will be meeting and the issues of policies and Wade Burleson will be on the table. Your prayers are needed. As a point of focus that will hopefully buoy the spirits of all involved.
On the IMB website, you can find an article by Erich Bridges telling of a recent gathering of militant Hindus in an attempt to intimidate local Christians and their potential converts.
The article is called, “Push against Christian conversions in India said to be ‘evidence of success’ for the Gospel.”
The locale of the rally was chosen apparently, because of a strong Christian presence. There are approximately 60,000 tribal Christians in the area. over 400,000 Hindus attended the rally. As you might guess, it was intimidating for the local Christian. Many had “major conrcerns” over the rally, but there was only one minor “skirmish” in the end.
An unidentified missionary in the area says that he sees the gathering in a completely different light. He thinks that the rally was “evidence of success.” He said that the reason the the Hindus are trying to institute “anti-conversion laws” is because so many Hindus are coming to know Christ. What better testimony to the work is there than that?
The missionary says that part of the move toward Christianity is because of the oppressive “caste” system that is inherent in Hinduism. When India achieved independence, the constitution outlawed the system, but man still live by it today. Those in the “High-caste” depend on the system to support their lifestyles and they are trying to pass laws against conversion so that they might maintain their easy lifestyle at the expense of the Dalit, or “untouchables,” at the bottom of the caste system.
The Dalit are practically slaves within Hinduism. Many are converting to Islam as well, but in that religion, they find a new form of slavery and new masters. In Christ, they find that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you [they] are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)
What is God’s vision for India? There are 1 Billion people there and 80% of them are Hindu, but that is changing.
Just to let you know the size of this task, it helps to understand what 1 Billion is. Here are a couple of statements that might give you perspective.
1 Billion seconds ago, it was 1973.
1 Billion minutes ago, it was the end of the First Century, AD.
Translate that to people and the mission is huge, but the sea of salvation is growing. Might we turn the tide of salvation in India and bring Christ to that contenent?
If we do, the IMB will have to play a critical role. We can’t do it without each other and without the SBC, the world is without the greatest missionary sending body in the New Testament Church.
So for some perspective, next week’s meetings matter. Alot.
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Jeff Richard Young
on Mar 19th, 2006
@ 4:27 am:
Dear Art,
Thank you very much for this article. One billion people—wow!
Father, please help us to get rid of distractions like the present IMB BOT controversy, so we can be Your witnesses among these many, many people in India. Thank You for what You are already doing there. Please bless the missionaries and local believers, protecting them from persecution and making them effective evangelists. Amen
Tim Sweatman
on Mar 21st, 2006
@ 4:34 pm:
An excellent reminder of why we need to work together.