Missionary Life
Into the Lion’s Den Singing
January 25, 2024
by Jennifer Nickels
In my role at TEAM, I speak often with our retired global workers. In those conversations, we talk about why they went to the mission field. How did God call them and in what ministry did they participate? As these seasoned missionaries share the challenges and joys of serving overseas, I always ask, “Was it worth it? The sickness, leaving family behind, language learning, cultural adjustments, raising kids overseas…was it worth it?” The answer is always “yes.” Yes, for the sake of the lost to hear the Gospel, it was worth it. Again and again, I hear a resounding yes, it was worth it.
Hope in Trying Times
Herb and Linda Gregg are among those TEAM retirees who not only answered the call to missions but continue to proclaim it was worth it. Herb and Linda gave their life to missions and from the very beginning of their call into overseas service, they wanted to reach people with little to no access to the Gospel. After serving in Brazil and Portugal, the Greggs felt God leading them to Russia, to serve unreached people groups in the Dagestan Republic. Here they would face an incredibly difficult challenge. Herb was kidnapped and held by jihad extremists for 231 days (about 7 and a half months). During this trying time, Herb and Linda learned like never before to rely on the hope, love, and promises of God. (Info on where you can hear the full story below…read on…)
Even now many years later, the Greggs continue to witness God’s grace and peace in the face of great uncertainties. Herb explained that we learn about God’s attributes through the Bible. However, God also gives us experiences to learn about His attributes – patience, peace, love, power, grace, mercy, and His victories. These are the very attributes he learned while held captive.
A Heart for the Lost
During my conversation with Herb and Linda, their heart for those who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ was so evident. The Greggs have a beautiful urgency for all Christians to understand that we cannot be afraid of what is unknown or uncomfortable – that should not be our story! Our story needs to proclaim that God’s love is faithful and that we can draw closer to Him each day. It is often in our story that others see Jesus Christ.
In their book, 231 Days; A Miraculous True Story of Faith in the Face of Terror, Herb shares how the Lord used his kidnapping to drive home the point that Jesus called us to carry our cross and follow Him, and that is not without cost. In our hard times, we have the chance to reflect to the lost and hurting who Jesus Christ is in our lives. This was made clear to Herb during his time in captivity as God allowed him to be a witness among the jihadis in Chechnya.
God Will Be There
After Herb was released, the Greggs returned to the mission field. When asked why they returned, they replied, “Just because Herb was kidnapped, it didn’t make lost people any less lost.” The couple continued ministry in Asia and Mexico before returning to the States. Their harrowing experience allows them to share with others that God is the same God as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This trio was in the fiery furnace with Jesus and was not burned. They didn’t even smell like smoke. In a similar way, Herb was in a “fiery furnace” and yet when he was released, he was not burned. No matter what we must face, God will be there. He will meet us with all His power, grace, and glory. We need to continue to serve Him in the calling the Lord has given to us so that we also may proclaim that it was worth it.
The Greggs speak of their experience and what they’ve learned about trials using another story from the Book of Daniel as well. Linda offers this powerful encouragement for believers when facing trials: “You cannot be afraid when God takes you into something hard. He will be with you through it all because God’s grace is sufficient, and so we go into the Lion’s Den singing.”
Hear More of The Story
Herb and Linda Gregg with James Kirby Martin have written a book, 231 Days; A Miraculous True Story of Faith in the Face of Terror. In addition to the book, there is a documentary, titled 231 Days, found on Christianmovies.com or Amazon Prime.