Transcript Slide 1

Compassionate Ministries
December 2011
Living Mission: Global Melting Pot
"The harvest is past, the summer has
ended, and we are not saved.“
Jeremiah 8:20 (NIV)
Global Melting Pot
1. To help people understand that
mission—ministry to those in
another culture—is a specialized
skill requiring not only language
school but also special education
in the values, behaviors, and
traditions of other cultures
While Nazarenes in the state of
Manipur, India, celebrated the
100th anniversary of the arrival
the gospel to their community, 510 community members entered
the North East India District
Center, poured gasoline on the
furniture and literature and set
the building on fire.
The Church of the
Nazarene's North
East India District
was formed in 2007,
and covers seven
states, including
Manipur, which has
a population of more
than 2 million.
"They came and forced the
watchmen to give the keys and
poured petrol on all the furniture
and literature in the office and
set it on fire," said Sunil Dandge,
the India Field strategy
coordinator. "It was a very
mindless act.”
No one was reported
injured in the January attack, but
approximately $8,500 (U.S.)
worth of JESUS Film and other
equipment, including a typewriter
and a block-making machine,
were destroyed.
The group had previously
threatened the district leaders so,
as a precaution, important
documents had been removed
earlier and were saved, he added.
Fortunately, most of the JESUS Film
equipment was being used in the
field, thereby avoiding its loss.
The church community has strongly
condemned the act of the members
who did this. Some of those who
had silently supported came out
boldly against them to condemn
their various agendas and acts even
before this fire incident.“
According to local custom, the district
could not file a police report until it sought
redress from the community leaders, who
agreed to make the attackers repay the
district for its losses and to restrain them
from future violence.
Originally, the district intended to seek
reparations from the community leaders
who would in turn hold the attackers
responsible. However, district leadership
decided against it, as the formal complaint
process would require locking up the
church until the case was closed.
Young people gather to clean
up the fire-ravaged
North East India
District Center
Nazarenes across the North East India District
have come together in great support of the
district and its leadership, Dandge reported.
Other denominations have also gathered in
support, as well as community leaders, who
classified this type of action as shameful.
People have developed a renewed burden for
the Lord and His church," Kim said. "All who
truly love God and the church have come
forward with donations and contributions in
cash and labor. Those churches a further
distance have sent their donations. So it is really
encouraging to see the work progressing faster
than expected.”
The Gospel first arrived in Manipur in the 19th
century with Western missionaries, primarily
Baptists, according to information on
Wikipedia. The Church of the Nazarene first
began work in Manipur in 1995. Today there
are more than 30 churches and 2000 members.
Pray:
-for the encouragement of believers in the
district,
-for a recovery of its losses,
-that God would work in this situation for His
glory, redemption for those who meant
the attack for evil.
Discussion Questions
1. We can all think of times in our lives when
we’ve been afraid of people or groups different
from us and the groups with which we identify.
Let’s put ourselves, for a few moments, in the
shoes of those who attacked the district center
in India. What kinds of might they—and others
in similar situations—be experiencing that
would bring them to engage in such acts of
violence and destruction?
2. The testimony of Nazarenes there is that
despite the attack, the church has grown. How
can churches help quell and build bridges to
those who feel threatened by their presence?
Global Melting Pot
2. Xenophobia—fear of
foreigners and strangers—and
to engage people with stories
of how xenophobia affects
mission and what processes
are necessary to combat this
problem. This a theological
issue and a matter of the heart.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you
were called to one hope when you were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one
God and Father of all, who is over all and
through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)
This world is not my home
Like Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, we are…“heirs with
him of the same promise”…We
are…“looking forward to the city
with foundations, whose architect
and builder is God”…We
are…“longing for a better country—a
heavenly one.” Hebrews 11:9a, 10,
16a
Homophily vs. Xenophobia:
Homophily refers to love of people and
things that are very much like oneself.
Opposites, it turns out, don’t attract as often or as
strongly as similarities do.
Evidence for homophily is overwhelming
almost anywhere you look. Most neighborhoods
are uniform in housing quality, population
demographics and other factors, both because
similar people choose similar
houses and because
neighborhood covenants
prevent variation.
Homophily is confusing and self-contradictory until
you understand that most people believe in and
care about themselves and people who are very
much like them. This whole issue needs to be seen
in the context of scripture. James his short epistle
said, “My brothers, as believers in the glorious
Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose
a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring
and fine clothing, and a poor man in shabby
clothes also comes in. If you show special
attention to the man wearing the fine clothes and
say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but to the poor
man, “You stand there” or “sit on the floor by my
feet,” have you not discriminated among
yourselves and become judges with evil
thoughts?” James 2:1-4
Jesus’ Invitation
Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you and learn of me, for I
am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Discussion Questions:
1. Given the story of God’s people and the
testimony of the Bible regarding God’s
heart for aliens and strangers, how do
you think the church should address
situations in which our neighbors, even
our enemies, experience injustice
because they are foreigners in some
way?
2. In what concrete ways can we as
Christians show love to these people?
Global Melting Pot
3. To understand that this
is not simply an issue for
those from the West;
there are many examples
of Nazarene missionaries
from other parts of the
world who must also
confront this issue
Habari kutoka kwa Mundias
(NEWS from the MUNDIAS)
John and I were excited to open our home to 30
CCC student leaders for a mentoring session.
These student leaders represented 7 universities
in Kenya. They are young Christians eager to
grow in their faith and connect other students to
God. After having a scrumptious lunch, we sat
down to talk. They were allowed to ask us any
question. And they took full advantage of that
opportunity!
It was a special time for us- sharing our personal
salvation testimonies, our call to ministry, our journey in
the Christian faith- its trials, temptations and trusting
God and how God rewards those who put their trust in
Him. They were excited to hear stories from the field,
and have an insider’s perspective on Life in South
Africa. They were especially fascinated with our “love
story” – John had them glued to his every word as he
shared in a very funny way how he had to trust God
from even asking me for a coffee date, to talking to my
parents about marrying me to adjusting to me as a wife
from a different culture. I’m sure the guys were taking
mental notes for future reference! Overall, it was
wonderful sharing our experiences. Our students were
greatly encouraged.
A Somali student, invited us into his room ready for a
debate. He threw every attack on Christianity at us,
from the validity of the scriptures, to the deity of Christ
to the hypocrisy of Christians. He was angry at how the
West wages war against their faith, the West
representing Christianity. I believe that God was with
us that day- me and Benson, an intern serving with us.
We were able to answer not one or two, but all of his
questions with sensitivity, wisdom and love. You
should have seen him calm down as we continued our
discussion! We clarified misinformation he had about
Bible events. Benson also shared his personal
testimony. The knowledge I had gained while teaching
in an Islamic School in Durban many years ago came in
very handy. We left knowing that we had him thinking!
(1 Cor 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God made it grow)
We will be relocating to SA at the end of 2012.
Excitement is growing and our family in SA is
already counting days. We will need much help
as the process is long and tedious. Here are
some information we have: 1) John will wait at
least 2 years to get permanent residency. 2) The
process to get Furaha South African citizenship
is also a long process now that she holds a
Kenyan passport. 3) We are unable to bring our
belongings- car and furniture- to SA tax free on
my name because I am still a SA citizen. John
can bring it in tax free only when he has
permanent residence which will take even up to
two years. We will keep you informed of our
needs in forthcoming newsletters.
Help for Persecuted Christians
NCM Projects
ACM1832
ncm.org
Dangers exist for certain people who choose to
follow Christ in the Middle East. Families are
physically threatened or ostracized, properties
and businesses are destroyed, and people are
arrested with mounting legal bills. As more and
more people respond to the good news of
Christ, there is a need to protect and support
them when troubles arise.
A gift to this fund will help relocate families,
provide small business loans, provide general
assistance and pay legal fees for people in the
Middle East who are persecuted for their faith
in Christ. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
ACM1832
Region:
Eurasia
Location:
Middle East
Need:
$8,000.00
Checks can be
marked "ACM1832"
and mailed to:
Global Treasury
Services
PO Box 843116
Kansas City, MO
64184