Serving Where Christians Aren’t Welcome [June Prayer Focus]

TEAM – The Evangelical Alliance Mission • Jun 01, 2020

When we think of sharing our faith, a lot of different things come to mind. We think of everything from inviting our neighbors to church, to sharing our faith with strangers at outreach events. We think of reading our Bibles in public and having conversations with others. All of these things have one thing in common: They require us to be able to talk openly about our faith.

For missionaries in certain parts of the world, talking openly about their faith comes with severe consequences. Evangelizing in these parts of the world can mean deportation or even prison. In some places, missionaries can’t even let their neighbors know the real reason why they’re there. They write emails in code, and sometimes they even tell their friends and family to avoid posting their pictures on social media.

Missionaries in these parts of the world have all of the loneliness and challenges that normally come with evangelizing, compounded with the knowledge that if they get caught sharing the Gospel, they could face serious consequences.

This month, will you join us in praying for missionaries to places that are hostile to Christianity?

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1. Ask God to protect missionaries, physically and spiritually.

In certain parts of the world, missionaries know that sharing the Gospel means they might be deported or thrown in jail at any time. They take risks every day just by living out their faith. Pray that God will protect missionaries from people and institutions who want to hurt them and stifle the cause of Christ .

Working in such a high-risk area is also spiritually and emotionally draining. Often, missionaries serving in these areas experience loneliness and isolation. It can feel like they are the only ones working to advance the Kingdom in their area . And the Enemy often tries to use these feelings of isolation to hinder their work. Pray that God will protect missionaries from spiritual attacks, and that He will give them the endurance to push through the hard times.

2. Ask God to provide creative ways for missionaries to share the Gospel.

When openly sharing the Gospel can get you deported, attacked or thrown in jail, you have to find creative ways to share your faith.

Outreaches such as schools, food programs and clinics help missionaries build relationships with local people and share the Gospel.

Missionaries in these places are already working to share the Gospel in unique ways. Often, missionaries will see a tangible need people have and create a program to meet this need. Creating programs that meet physical needs gives missionaries unique opportunities to build relationships and share the Gospel . Other missionaries serve through the arts, businesses and very careful one-on-one discipleship.

This month, ask God to show missionaries how they can be lights to their neighbors in ways that fit their host cultures. Pray for opportunities to share Christ without arousing suspicion from people who want to cause missionaries harm.

3. Pray for visas for missionaries to go to and stay in their host countries.

Obtaining visas in any country can be a complicated process, but it’s even more difficult in countries where missionaries aren’t welcome. And once you obtain a visa, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to keep or renew it.

Visas can be revoked if a new leader comes into power and decides to change the requirements. If missionaries are caught evangelizing, their visas can be taken away, forcing them to go back to their home countries. Recently, one country ramped up their search for Christians, and many missionaries from several missions agencies were kicked out of the country.

In nations of spiritual hostility, missionaries must have contingency plans for if they suddenly have to leave the country. This means putting a priority on training locals so they are able to completely take over the ministry on short notice.

Pray that missionaries will be able to obtain and renew their visas. Pray that world leaders will act favorably toward missionaries, and pray that missionaries will be protected from people trying to get them kicked out of their host countries.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. Click here to get a print out of this month’s Prayer Focus requests and praise reports.

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Loving Like Jesus Cross-Culturally (Part 1)

By Megan Lunsford • 23 Apr, 2024

When seeking to serve cross-culturally with an authentic love for others, there’s no better example for us than Jesus. If we sat around a table and threw out the question, “How do we love like Jesus?” I think we would have several commonalities as we respond. For example, Jesus loved all people right where they were. He loved those who were deemed the least, those hardest to love, or those who were His enemies. These are all beautiful realities of the heart of Jesus. When we step into relationships, it can be easier to take on the warmer, more gracious gestures of Jesus’ love, especially in cross-cultural relationships. Think about it––when doing life with those who look and act differently than us, we are already out of our comfort zones and would rather keep things as simple and familiar as possible. But there are other facets of Jesus’ heart we often overlook that can transform us and others even more into His likeness. Jesus is love because God is love. Everything Jesus did was out of love; it’s the mere definition of who He is. As followers of Jesus, He calls us to the same: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John:7-12) Every display of love we offer to others is an opportunity for them to encounter the ultimate love of the Father. That’s a pretty big deal! In this article, we’ll look at three expressions of Jesus’ love that we tend to overlook when engaging others cross-culturally. (Next month, we’ll look at three more.) 1. Jesus loved sacrificially. Everywhere Jesus went, crowds followed Him. We even see times in Scripture where Jesus had plans to step away for time alone but those who were hurting found Him and He had compassion on them and stayed with them. Can you imagine rarely having any time to yourself but, instead, constantly being surrounded by crowds of people wanting help from you? Jesus loved sacrificially. He welcomed all who came to Him with love and compassion, never turning anyone away. “When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) In the same way, we can make room in our lives for Jesus to bring sacrificial interruptions which, in His eyes, are orchestrated encounters to transfer His love to others. It can be tempting to be so “on mission” that we are full steam ahead and find ourselves frustrated when the Holy Spirit sends an interruption into our path that we feel we don’t have time for. Or, perhaps, we have scheduled a meet-up but it’s the norm in another culture to be 30 minutes or an hour late. We anxiously think through how it will affect whatever we have planned next. While it’s normal to feel a little stressed, what if the very "interruption” standing in front of you was really a divine appointment sent by God? Or what if that person running late experiences how peaceful and gracious you are in adapting to their culture and therefore, they can encounter a beautiful display of Jesus’ love? To truly represent Christ, we should remain ready and willing for each assignment the Lord sends into our path, no matter the cost or how much we will have to re-route our day. He is always a hundred steps ahead and will work all things for His glory and our good. 2. Jesus loved by discerning each situation well. Think about how many situations Jesus had to respond to on a daily basis. We read in Scripture that there were lines of people waiting to be healed by Him, talk to Him, hear His teachings, or simply touch the hem of His robe. Jesus was fully dependent on His Father to discern each situation before addressing it. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) Another temptation we can have when in a relationship with those God has sent us to is to think we already know the solution or what God wants to do before we’ve even asked Him. We believe we are full of knowledge, so we just pull from the bank we have stored within and go with it. However, when we access what is familiar to us as our default, we risk missing out on a God-given solution that might truly be the key to unlocking whatever challenge is in front of us. What does this look like when interacting with others? We can simply ask, “God, what is on Your heart for the person standing in front of me?” Then we listen and respond as He speaks. When we make it a daily habit to pause and hear God’s heart for each situation before responding, we are guaranteed to be effective in loving those around us. He knows the heart of every person that will cross our paths. Imagine how impactful we can be if we first lean on His wisdom and discernment before moving forward. 3. Jesus loved by speaking truth. Most of us are familiar with the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. If we are honest, this conversation makes us a bit nervous as none of us would be comfortable with Jesus calling out intimate details of our lives that we would prefer to hide. But Jesus went further than just airing her dirty laundry. He offered her the hope of the Gospel and a relationship with Him - a divine fulfillment that could never be found in an earthly relationship. Jesus modeled a powerful example of loving others well cross-culturally. He took the low place and spoke truth, truly out of love––speaking to her heart from His. Like Jesus, our goal in sharing the truths about Him and His Word is to bring hope and satisfaction through Him alone. When we speak truth from Scripture, we are calling others higher into all God has for them. The tricky part here is we should avoid speaking truth if it isn’t first fueled by compassion. If it merely comes from a place of judgment, condemnation, or self-righteousness, it will fall flat 100% of the time. But if it truly comes from love, you are likely to not only win a heart back to the Father but, like the story of the Samaritan woman, even an entire village! If you see someone living outside of God’s best for their lives, ask God to show you your heart before engaging theirs. Once your heart is properly postured, you can speak truth out of an overflow of God’s love and trust Him for a transformation in their lives.

Hospitality, Help, and the Hope of the Gospel

By Suzanne Pearson • 16 Apr, 2024

TEAM Canada provides warm welcome and trusted friendships for diaspora populations living far from their native countries. As TEAM Canada workers Peter and Ruth (names changed) drive from their home to a nearby community center, they pass numerous apartment buildings and townhouses. Most of the families who live there are immigrants. They’ve left their countries of origin due to political unrest, trauma, and other difficulties. They’ve left family, friends, homes, jobs, and personal wealth behind. They search for peace, justice for the oppressed, and rest from fear and weariness. And as they adjust to a new country and a new language, they are often very isolated from others around them. “The sad reality is most immigrants are never even invited inside a Canadian home,” says Ruth. Peter and Ruth and their team try to change that reality. For the last nine years, the team, which includes workers from partner organizations as well as volunteers, has held English classes at the community center. Three days a week, over 60 students from more than 20 countries come together to learn English as well as to fellowship together and receive practical help in assimilating to a new normal. Meeting Needs and Building Trust That practical help may come in the form of procuring furniture, clothes, or dishes for newcomers, assistance with creating a resume and finding a job, or teaching people how to navigate Canadian laws and the medical system. As these tangible needs are met, relationships are built. “We invite them into our homes for meals and games,” Ruth shares. “We take them on hiking trips, picnics, outings, and out for coffee.” This is particularly important in this type of ministry because most immigrants come to Canada from cultures that value hospitality. Conversely, Canadians do not typically prioritize hospitality and consequently many newcomers feel lonely and isolated. Inviting folks to various gatherings and outings allows the team to spend extended time hearing people’s stories, struggles, hopes, and dreams. When she speaks about building friendships, Ruth’s heart for the people she serves is evident. “Hearing their stories, it’s easy to love them, and many have become close friends,” Ruth says. “We recognize the value of steady one-on-one relationships.”