Unreached People

We had the pleasure Wednesday of hosting some Christians workers from Afghanistan.  I will be cautious in saying too much about them on the internet.  In Afghanistan it is not illegal to be a Christian but it is forbidden to become one or to evangelize.  This committed couple have ministered in that part of the world for 28 years.  They are trying to reach a people group that has a million people for every Christian worker with their group.   As he works as pastor of an international church there (made up of over 15 nationalities) she labors with a relief agency that helps the blind.  They told us much about Afghanistan that we did not know.  It is a daunting challenge; a truly God sized task.

One thing really surprised me though, that in their 28 years, the number one reason for people converting to Christianity was the lifestyle of committed Christians.  They had tried Bible studies, discussion groups, one on one evangelism but the thing that did the most good was living out the love of God and letting the people see it and ask about it.  Of course they consistently but cautiously share their faith, but the people there respond to a truly committed Christian life because it is so different from the way everyone else lives.

In this country where photos of a small group of Christians celebrating baptism resulted in national news headlines for a week,  requiring every one in the photos to leave the country or be arrested, it is not easy to be or become a Christian.  That is why our friends asked us to pray for the future of Afghanistan.  The people are tired of war and seek peace.  The only solution is the peace of Christ.  Their specific request would that there would always be a Christian presence in the country so people could see the message of Christ lived out.  I believe God is able to work that out.

Our friends also said what led them there - a desire to reach an unreached people group.  They are 2 of 44 know Christian workers who labor to work with a people group of over 40 million in a war torn and difficult environment; yet they were able to tell us about God being at work.

The reality is that every new generation is an unreached people group.  As the saying goes,"Christianity is only one generation away from extinction."  It has always been that way and certainly is in our day.  We must do all we can to win the next generation.  We don't face the daunting task of Afghanistan, but we do face a huge task.  How can we face it?  We will talk more about that Sunday.

For the journey...

Tim