A colleague, Andrew Strom, has just sent me an article about his visit to Nigeria and I have been granted permission to reproduce part of it. Why am I doing this and why do I want you to read it? Well, he reminded me so much of my time in Uganda and Kenya, speaking at pastors’ seminars in the slums and in the jungles.
We recently returned from our trip to Nigeria, and we had an amazing time. The heat and the endless cloud of dust, smog and diesel fumes were ever-present, but spiritually it was a fantastic trip.
Three times God arranged for us to appear on national television, once while preaching and praying for the Governor of Ogun State (a bit like the Governor of California). Only God could arrange such a thing at the last minute, and we made sure He got all the glory. Thanks for his prayers, my friends!
I know that many people on this List have received invitations to Third World countries to minister. They want foreign preachers because they know a lot of people will come to hear a “white man” preach!
I want to encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, my friends, even if you have to pay your own expenses and that is very likely because you are very poor.
I have come across many repentance preachers in the US and the West who have been frustrated and discouraged here by the lack of response and/or opportunity. We need to realize that there is a wide world out there that is hungry and desperate for solid preaching and Biblical truth.
I remember hearing David Servant once make an analogy of a fisherman with two fishing holes to choose from. At one fishing hole he caught virtually no fish, and the one he did catch jumped up and spat water in his face! At the other fishing hole, the fish were so desperate to be caught that they clung to the line and he dragged them as fast as he could to get his rod back in the water. Which fishing hole should he choose? Of course it was the second, equating it to the Third World.
Many of us think that it is the “spiritual” thing to do, to wait and wait and wait right where we are, but as David Servant points out, Jesus clearly told his disciples that if they were not welcomed into a town, to leave. that place and continue until they find a receptive place. This is actually a commandment from God. Otherwise, all of God’s servants are left wasting their time in unresponsive environments. Jesus commands us to “GO!”
Personally, for many years now I have focused my attention almost entirely on the West. But God is changing that. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if God calls our family to settle in the Third World sometime in the next few years. Such is the need and hunger there. Unfortunately, it is the exact opposite of what we so often find in the comfortable and listless West.
I strongly encourage all preachers on this List to consider the Third World, and soon. It may be time to think “outside the box”, my friends. You will not regret.
Thank you again for your wonderful prayers during our trip. We saw many breakthroughs in the lives of leaders and people as we talked about deep repentance and the true message of the CROSS vs. the selfish gospel of profit, etc. Many people seemed very surprised and shocked by the messages. So your prayers made a big difference. Thank you. I hope to go back to Africa again in May.
Yours for the Third World Harvest, dear friends.
There are so many things written above that I can relate to. Some 70 to 120 pastors would walk or bike 10 to 17 miles to attend the three-day Seminars, sleeping on the floor of the church building each night. I would be teaching 3 one and a half hour sessions each day with time for questions. These men of God were so hungry.
Strong positive Bible teaching and leadership is greatly appreciated!
It was worth all the “hassle” of the trip and all the “inconvenience”. How often have I discovered over the years that when we are in trouble, that is when Almighty God uses us most.
sand shaw