The Persecuted Church

Storming the Gates:
Thoughts from a Christian Worker
in a “Dangerous” Country

“After I heard of the [recent terror] incident, I called some team leaders who are committed to go this summer to my part of the world. I wanted to hear their feelings about canceling the project for this year, regardless of how small I considered the actual risk to be. The father of a student who is committed to go this summer gave me a response that really hit home.

This father said "You read to us from the Bible that if we 'delighted in the Lord, HE would give us the desires of our heart,' and then you read that we ‘should not fear because HE would be holding our right hand.’ You even had the nerve to tell us that we were no different from you - that we were also being called just as you were called to reach the unreached with the Gospel."

Then he asked me, "Are you going back?"

"Well, yes, of course,” I replied, “God has not redirected me from my original calling."

His reply was simple but unforgettable. "Then why would you consider us (volunteers) any less than yourself by asking us to reconsider what God is leading us to do? This would be contrary to the very message you gave us"

Ultimately, I believe the real issue here is about our discernment of and commitment to God's leading. I was led to share an opportunity with you that is both urgent and important to the Kingdom. The crazy things that are happening around the world today, especially in my part of the world, only serve to confirm the urgency and importance of the task. Please do not give up your calling to reach all the nations – even those in the line of fire – with the love of God in Jesus Christ.