Building Bridges for Christ and His Kingdom

As Christians, we are called by God to be Christ's ambassadors. That's quite a job description by any measurement! In order to fulfill our assignment, we are going to have to step outside of our insulated Christian circles and learn how to bridge the gap between Christ's church and today's world.

Bridges are fascinating feats of engineering and design. They are designed to bring things together--land masses, roads, and people. Your life as a Christian can be exciting for the very same reason--because we get to be bridge-builders for Christ. Of course, Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5); but, acting under His authority, Christians have the privilege of building bridges that can attract people into His Kingdom.

What kind of bridges are still left to be built? Non-Christians often have barriers that keep them from considering Christ: intellectual, cultural, and moral barriers. We can be their bridges to the gospel. Just as Jesus left heaven to come and dwell with man in a sinful world, He's left us with the challenging task of creatively penetrating our world with the gospel of salvation He showed us how to be effective bridge builders. In a sense, then, there may never be a time when we are more like Jesus than when we are bridging a cultural gap with the gospel.

How does one become a bridge-builder for Christ? While it's true we need to understand the Bible, a measure of theology and most importantly the gospel message, we must also understand what non-Christians believe, how they think, and how they've been impacted by today's cultures. And then, as ambassadors for Christ, we become the bridge between His church and the world by communicating the gospel into the context of the non-Christian mindset.

I think most people today view cross-cultural ministry as something performed in a foreign nation. In one sense that is very true. But America today has become very secular, developing a culture of its own in an ideological sense-one very different from the cultural characteristics of the church. So today, we need to view our American culture as a place of opportunity for cross-cultural ministry! If you're a Christian in America, you live in one of the biggest most opportune mission fields in the world!

How do get started? First, by investigating and understanding the secular views of our culture. Understanding another person's world view, or belief system, is the starting point for communicating the gospel in any language, in any culture. By showing an understanding of and interest in another person's beliefs, we gain credibility and integrity with that person-and probably even a favorable hearing for the Christian message.

A bridge-builder is one who has made a commitment to understand people with different backgrounds and beliefs in order to make Christianity relevant to these people. However, in order to become an effective bridge-builder, we have to go through a process of transformation ourselves. First, we need to examine the isolation problem found in many of today's churches. So many churches today, are not actively seeking opportunities to be bridge-builders. That has to change if we are going to influence the world around us. Whether it’s our neighborhood, our community or some distant place in another part of the world, we must tune ourselves to the culture so that the gospel finds a hearing ear.

In future posts, we'll look at Christ's model for ministry which can help us overcome our tendencies towards isolation. We'll also explore how our lives can build bridges to the world. Finally, we’ll look at the need for preparation in order to be fully equipped to construct better bridges.

Missionary Christians Send...

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PART III

In the context of the Great Commission... there are two types of Christians with distinctly different roles within the Church. There are Christian Missionaries... they go to the mission field. Then there are Missionary Christians.... they authorize, send and support those that go to the mission field.

John encourages Gaius to "send them [the missionaries] forward on their journey" (3 John, v. 6). As in the case with the first missionary journey from Antioch, those who did not go, were senders (Acts 13:4-5). But how should Missionary Christians send out their fellow servants in the world's mission fields?

Filled with love
John commends Gaius for his love (v. 6) which he has heard about from the report of others. Above all, Christians should be characterized by love, especially Christians who are committed to commissioning missionaries. First, love for God will ensure that when we send out missionaries, we do so "in a manner worthy of God" (v. 6). Secondly, love for the brethren, especially for those who go forth for the sake of Christ's name, will cause us to take a serious interest in those who go out from us. Finally, a love for people in the world--the world which God loved so much that He sent His own Son--will make us willing to send our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to declare the great grace and glory of God's salvation to them. To fulfill the calling to be a Missionary Christian, one must have a heart filled with love.

Committed to the truth
But love is not enough. Zeal for world missions is no excuse for being weak on truth. In reality there can be no such zeal, nor genuine love, without a commitment to the truth. Paul says that "love rejoices in the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). Further, an informed concern for world evangelism carries with it a jealousy for the unadulterated evangel.

Those who send must be as committed to God's revealed truth as those who go. John recognized this quality in Gaius and encourages him to become a fellow worker with missionaries "for the truth" (v. 8). How is such commitment cultivated? By learning to "walk in the truth" (v. 3). That is, by having a steadfast, practical devotion to the truth.

Love and truth make for a spiritually potent combination. It proved to be very beneficial to those who had come to Gaius's church. They had their needs met very well. Such balanced Christian living is attractive and encouraging to believers everywhere.

Being thoroughly committed to God's truth affords a great satisfaction in sending out missionaries who will faithfully carry that truth to unreached people groups. The prospect of being directly involved in sending the gospel around the world is reason to rejoice. But, having a deep love for those who are sent out also exposes one to deep pain. When we send loved ones, we send a part of ourselves with them. It involves sorrow--real sorrow at the thought of separation and change in relationships.

So it is common to find mixed emotions welling up within a congregation at the prospect of sending loved ones into the mission field. We love them and they will be missed. But at the same time we are devoted to the truth which they are taking with them and rejoice to have a part in the great work of declaring God's grace to the nations.

Conclusion
The command of the Great Commission is clear and its practical application as expressed in the story of Gaius in 3rd John helps us recognize the roles played by all Christians... we either go or we send. We cannot remain passive, uninterested bystanders in the missionary work of our Lord. Both goers and senders are critical to the success of any mission endeavor. Both are important. Both labors must be entered into with equal commitment and seriousness.

Those of us who stay are called to be senders--for now. But, are you willing for God to call you to go to the field in the future? Our attitudes ought to be this: willing to go, called to stay; and therefore determined to do all that we can to be as faithful in our staying as we expect those we send to be faithful in their going.

The ones who go out from us do not merely "become" our missionaries. Nor do we merely "let them go." Rather, we send them. They remain a part of us--our responsibility; our privilege to serve and love--though now in a vastly different way. They are our family--extended across the world, all for the sake of the Name.

As Christian missionaries go they do so as a part of a local church. They go for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ and with a commitment to the truth which is revealed in Him. They go to make Christ known where He is not presently known. Therefore they must go with a determination to live holy lives, to teach God's Word and to tell of His love for sinners. In dependence on God's Spirit, they go to persuade those who have been shut up in darkness to come to the Light that gives life.

When William Carey volunteered to leave England for the distant shores of India to "take the gospel to the heathen," his friend and fellow pastor, Andrew Fuller agreed to stay behind and rally support for the effort. Their lives typify, respectively, what it means to be a Christian Missionary and a Missionary Christian.

Looking back on the solemn occasion when Carey agreed to go, Fuller describes the commitment which was made.

We saw that there was a gold mine in India, but it seemed almost as deep as the center of the earth. Who will venture to explore it? "I will go down," said Mr. Carey to his brethren, "but remember that you must hold the ropes." We solemnly engaged to do so; nor while we live, shall we desert him.

May such a spirit live on in a new generation of goers and senders.

Missionaries GO... for the sake of Christ's name

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PART II

Continuing with the discussion of the two different categories of Christians, verse 7 of 3rd John tells us the motivation which underscores a Christian Missionary's work. "They went forth for His name's sake." Why leave family, friends, opportunities and comforts to travel to an unfamiliar country with a completely different culture? You do it... to bring glory, honor and recognition to the name of Jesus Christ.

God has always been concerned for the honor of His Name. He used the mighty Pharoah in order to display His power and declare His Name throughout the earth (Romans 9:17). He did not destroy the Israelites in the wilderness for the sake of His Name (Ezekiel 20:14). He spared Jerusalem from enemy forces for His own Name's sake (2 Kings 19:34). He restored Israel from exile in order to vindicate the holiness of His own great Name (Ezekiel 36:22).

The first petition which Jesus taught us to make to God in prayer is "Hallowed be Your Name." To follow Jesus means living your life for the sake of His name (Matthew 19:26-29).

Paul's whole life as a missionary was lived for the glory of Christ's Name. When God called him, He told Ananias to go to Paul, "for I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name's sake" (Acts 9:16). As Paul traveled he knew that his apostleship had been received from Christ "for obedience to the faith among all nations for His Name's sake" (Romans 1:5). When confronted with the prospect of suffering and persecution he rebuked his well meaning friends by declaring, "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 21:13).

Who should go as Christian missionaries? Those who have already shown a jealousy for the Name of Christ demonstrated in personal devotion, in faithful service, in practical holiness at home, on the job and in the use of time and personal resources. A call to be a missionary does not necessarily mean a change in one’s passion, although you would expect enhanced excitment at the prospect of serving. It simply means a change of location and circumstances in pursuing one’s passion for proclaiming the name of Christ.

A church should send as missionaries only those who have an observable love for the Name of Jesus Christ. Devotion to "the Name" should be evident in the way a man treats his wife and a wife treats her husband. It should be demonstrated in the way that parents train their children. The way a man orders his home, conducts his business, witnesses and reaches out to others, studies the Word, serves the church, and uses his gifts. When such people are commissioned, they must be charged to carry that same passion to see our Lord and Savior's Name hallowed among the people to whom they are going.

It is the name of Christ that sustains a missionary... doing everything in his name and for the sake of His name protects you. When you miss your family back in the states...remember the Name. When you reach points of frustration... remember the Name. When you grow discouraged and lonely... remember the Name. When you are tempted to sin... remember the Name. Above al things, all worries and all concerns a missionary must be willing to spend and be spent for the glory of that Name... Jesus Christ.

As workers for the truth
Christian Missionaries also go out as "workers for the truth" (v. 8). Believers are stewards, not originators, of the truth. We are messengers, not authors. We have had committed to us the faith which has been once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Christian Missionaries work for that truth by taking it to people groups who do not have the gospel. Consequently, they must have a clear conviction of and submission to the Bible as the Word of God. They must also be diligent students of that Word so that when they speak of it and from it they communicate its message accurately.

The mission field is no place to send doubters, skeptics or those with serious doctrinal questions in hopes that they will come to a surer knowledge of God and their own faith. As Missionary Christians in the sending role, we should shudder to think of anyone trying to serve God in whom they have doubts or simply do not believe all that the Bible teaches. The gospel ministry, especially the mission field, is no place for the doubter or skeptic. The work is too important. Souls are at stake. Eternity hangs in the balance God's fame is at stake! His truth has been entrusted to those who go and as they go, they must carry it with integrity, honesty, and devotion.

Christian Missionaries go in close association with the church, for the sake of Christ's name, and as workers for the truth. But, not every believer can be a Christian Missionary. Nevertheless, every follower of Christ must be a Missionary Christian. Part III of this series will be posted by mid month.

Christian Missionaries and Missionary Christians... what’s the difference?

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PART I

THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. (3 John 1:1-8).

The Apostle John wrote 3rd John to a man named Gaius in part to commend him for his expressions of love toward fellow ministers of the gospel. Evidently some itinerant missionaries had been sent out by John's church and had returned with a report about how well Gaius had treated them.

There are two different categories of Christians that John mentions in verses 1-8 of 3rd John. First are those whom he identifies as "brethren and strangers." These are Christian Missionaries, people who have left home to carry the gospel of Christ to others, usually in far away places. Then there is Gaius himself, who stands as a wonderful example of a Missionary Christian.

These two different categories of believers highlight an important missiological axiom: Not every believer can be a Christian Missionary, but every believer must be a Missionary Christian. We can learn some important lessons about both types from John's letter.

Christian Missionaries Go - In Close Relationship with the Church
Christian Missionaries leave the confines of familiar surroundings, home and family, in order to take the gospel to others in far off places. But they do not go on their own. They go in close relationship with the "sending" church. John learned of Gaius's wonderful work through the testimony of the missionaries who were reporting to "the church" (v. 6).

The significance of this relationship is made very clear in the first official missionary enterprise which is recorded in the book of Acts. In the first 5 verses of chapter 13, we are told how Paul and Barnabas became missionaries. As men who were already faithful in the local congregation of believers at Antioch, they were set apart for their work by the Holy Spirit through the church. Paul and Baranabas were sent not only by the Holy Spirit (v. 4) but also by the church (v. 3).

It's not enough for a man to sense the inward call of the Spirit to go preach the gospel at home or abroad. Such a call is essential but inadequate to justify entering missionary work. The church must bear witness to that call and be willing to send the missionary out. Self-appointed, self-sent missionaries have a hard time biblically justifying their independence from a local church. In the New Testament, Christian missionaries were sent by a body of believers... a local church.

Their work is also defined in terms of the church. What did Paul and Baranabas do as missionaries? Equipped with the Word and empowered by the Spirit, they went out to make disciples and establish local churches. Theirs was a church planting effort (as Acts 13 and 14 make clear). Humanitarian aid has its place and works of mercy are never to be slighted, but Christian Missionaries are to aim at planting churches of new believers among the unreached people groups of the world. This is Biblical, first priority and command... preaching the gospel, baptizing converts and discipleship. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Furthermore, not only are missionaries sent by the church with the goal of starting churches, but also we discover in the New Testament... Christian Missionaries are accountable to the church. Luke records the conclusion of Paul's and Baranabas's first missionary journey with these words:

From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:26-27).

The missionaries were accountable to the church which set them apart and sent them to their work.

Just as there are no lone ranger Christians in the New Testament, so there can be no lone ranger missionaries, self-sent, self-ordained without authorization and accountability to the church. Jesus said "I will build my church." Christian missionaries go out from one church in order to plant new churches in places where the gospel needs to be preached. They are a part of Christ's church by maintaining a close relationship with the local churches--both the one from which they have been sent, and the ones which they help to plant.

THE MINISTRY OF CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD TODAY

Christians are to be servants in their relationships with God and others
Jesus defined his own ministry in words from the prophet Isaiah, "to preach good news to the poor … to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19 NIV). This is also our mission.

Jesus set the example for us to imitate. He chose the image of a humble obedient servant and demonstrated that lifestyle for his followers. He reminded his disciples that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV). In the upper room Christ washed his disciples' feet and told them "the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him" (John 13:16 KJV).

In the early church, persons were set apart for special ministries, including teachers, preachers, apostles, and deacons. Every person had his "ministry" according to his spiritual gifts. No ministry was insignificant. Christ teaches that even ministry to the least of his brothers is ministry to him (Matthew 25:34-40). That service is to the destitute and those in physical, social, and spiritual need. James warned that without the works of a servant, faith is dead (James 2:14 -18).

One special ministry given to all Christians is the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation of the world to God and of persons to each other is the purpose for which Christ came. We are charged with carrying on the work of Christ as agents of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18 -19).

Jesus affirmed the importance of the Old Testament teaching to "love your neighbor as yourself", and the apostle John records it as a “command” for us, not an option, but a requirement of our faith. (John 13:34-35). Paul also saw this as the summary of commandments dealing with human relationships (Romans 13:8-10).

Servanthood includes responsibility for others. Paul said it is some- times necessary to modify our actions for the sake of those who are weaker (1 Corinthians 10:23 -33). Peter cautioned us to use Christian freedom wisely (1 Peter 2:13 -17).

Christians have a responsibility to Society to be witnesses for the Gospel
All Christians enjoy the benefits of the priesthood of believers. They can and should make intercession to God through Christ, their High Priest, on behalf of themselves and others. Christ has made us "priests to serve his God and Father" (Revelation 1:6 NIV). All people in God’s family of believers have the right and responsibility to minister for God, remembering that "we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

As God's special envoys, we are representatives of the Kingdom of God and messengers of the Good News that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 KJV). Jesus' compassion offered people an opportunity to discover a new life. We must "declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9 RSV).

We are to witness for Christ by the words of our mouth and every action of our lives as we show the indwelling Christ living and working through us (Philippians 2:15 ; Colossians 3:17 ). All that we do is to be done to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Each individual is created in the image of God. Because "we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. … slaves to passions" (Titus 3:3), we do not condemn those who still are. All persons should be viewed as potential believers (John 4:3-26). Our attitude should be that of hating the sin but loving the sinners, as we seek to affirm their worth and value to God, and to persuade them to abandon their sin and turn to a new life in Christ.

Jesus said his followers were to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13 -16). In order to reflect the light of Christ in the world, Christians must be aware of what is taking place in society. Each individual Christian, each local congregation, and all outreach and misison initiatives within the church must, after much prayer, decide how best to meet the challenges of a diverse culture. Remember, the way in which God can use us is limited only by our lack of imagination, or our refusal to serve the intersest of the Kingdom.

Christians have dual citizenship
When we are immersed into Christ, we are taken “out of the world” in the sense that we are no longer part of this world’s motives, desires, or actions. We are made citizens of heaven. But then God puts us right back into the world because the unsaved of this world become our primary mission. (John 17:14 ). We are directed not to conform to this world, but to lead transformed lives in honor of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). "The Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world" (1 John 4:4 TEV).

As Christians we are called to be good citizens. Paul advised, "Every-one must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. "The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1 NIV).

When the will of society and the will of God come into direct, unresolvable conflict, we should do all within legal limits to change man's laws. If this is not possible, like the apostles before us, we have no choice but to “obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29 ). This is in accord with the teaching of Jesus to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17 NIV) and to "fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28 KJV). To obey God's laws may require us to accept persecution for the cause of Christ. Jesus said, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39 NIV). Meekness is not weakness. Jesus calls us to reflect his extraordinary courage: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44 NIV). As we seek to serve God, our guiding principle must be to let God's love flow through us to our society and all people. The world is waiting.... lets first "renovate" our minds and hearts and then reach out to all those seeking to find the true meaning and purpose for life.

The “10/40 Window” with 3.2 billion Opportunities

What is it? Where is it? The 10/40 Window – a rectangular area extending from West Africa to East Asia, from 10 degrees north to 40 degrees north of the equator. This vast region is home to the majority of the world’s Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. In India alone, more than 300 million Dalits – “untouchables” according to India’s historic caste system – are hungering for the hope embodied in the Gospel.

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest population of non-Christians in the world. The area extends from 10 degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator, and stretches from North Africa across to China.

There are more people living today than have ever lived in the entire history of humanity. This phenomenal population explosion is presenting many challenges for churches and ministries who are seeking to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person on the planet.

Today, over 6 billion people inhabit the earth. Approximately two billion of these profess to be Christians. Another two billion live in regions where access to the gospel is possible, but they have made no profession of faith in Christ.

Two-thirds of the world's population -- more than 3.2 billion people -- live in the 10/40 Window. This is the vast area extending from 10 degrees to 40 degrees above the equator, stretching from North Africa, across the Middle East and India, to China and Southeast Asia. Half of the world's least evangelized cities are in this window.

There are approximately 2500 unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window. In Southwest China, we want to reach the Miao, Shui and Boyei peoples. In Northern Nepal, the Tibetan and Dolpo. In Northern India, Kashmiri Muslims. And in Southwest Kyrgystan, the Kyrgyz, to name just a few.

Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are centered within the 10/40 Window.
Eighty-five percent of those living in the 10/ 40 Window are the world's poorest people. There are millions of people around the world that have never heard of God's love for them. They've never heard of Jesus' death on the cross to forgive them of their sins even once! A staggering 95% of the people living in the 10/40 Window are unevangelized.

Today, God is raising up ministries and mobilizing the church, to take the gospel to the last unreached people groups that live in this world today.

The Time is Now!
Jesus has commanded us to ...”go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit,... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus also said in Matthew 24:14... that this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all the nations and peoples, and then the end would come.

Statistical data on unreached people groups:
The statistics on non Christians living in the 10/40 Window can be staggering to the mind!

865 million unreached Muslims or Islamic followers in 3330 cultural sub-groupings
550 million unreached Hindus in 1660 cultural sub-groups
150 million unreached Chinese in 830 groups
275 million unreached Buddhists in 900 groups
2550 unreached tribal groups with a total population of 140 million!

The Countries of the 10/40 Window
Afghanistan ,Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh Benin, Bhutan, Burkina, Faso, Cambodia, Chad, China, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gibraltar, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Macau, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar Saudi, Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen...

Of the 55 least evangelized countries in the world, 97% of their population lives within the 10/40 Window. Unless something changes soon, most of these unreached people will never hear the Gospel. Why? Well, analysts at World Vision estimate that only about one and a quarter percent of Christian mission giving is going to missions work in the 10/40 Window. Open evangelism is difficult and even impossible in many 10/40 Window countries with restricted access or no access for missionaries. This generation in the 10/40 Window may never hear the Gospel in their lifetime!

What can you personally do about the unevangelized and unreached parts of the World?

THE MISSIONARY'S CHALLENGE–Animism

Anthropologist say animism is the oldest original human religion. Defined as belief in the existence of spiritual beings, it dates back to the earliest humans and continues to exist today.

Animism is a very practical belief system. The animist believes that a spirit or divinity resides within every object, controlling its existence and influencing human life and events in the natural world. Throughout the world, animistic religious beliefs are widespread among primitive societies, particularly among those in which many different spiritual beings are believed to control different aspects of the natural and social environment.

Animism is prevalent on every continent and is part of every culture. In Western cultures animistic customs include channeling and magical use of crystals in the New Age movement, ritual practices of the occult, and the reading of horoscopes to perceive how the alignment of the planets affects life. There are also animistic undercurrents to all major religions as they are practiced around the world. For example, spiritism is an ideology followed by most Catholics in Brazil. Muslims not only worship God at the mosque on Friday but also venerate holy men at their tombs.

Hindus not only believe in karma, reincarnation, and samsara, but they also presume that rakasas (evil spirits) and ancestors influence life and, therefore, must be manipulated and controlled. What a challenge for the missionary serving in cultures where animism dominates everyday life. One can scarcely imagine the effect a simple mention of “the spirit or Holy Spirt”, would have on the animist. It would conjure up thoughts and visions of spirits that are totally incompatible with what the Bible teaches about the spirit and Holy Spirit.

The clear message for all who seek to proclaim the gospel effectively in cultures where animism is part of every day life, is to know and understand the culture. Winning people to Christ requires that we know the enemy well.