Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
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A publication of The Mission Society Winter 2010 | 46 Reaching the least reached Escorting the gospel to fresh destinations in Asia Join us in The Mission UNFINISHED Winter 2010, Issue 46 Publisher/CEO When you partner with The Mission Society, not only do you join us in Dick McClain The Mission to offer Christ to the world, but you join us in embracing Editor our core values. Ruth A. Burgner Researcher/Contributing Writer Reed Hoppe INCARNATION Design The Mission Society seeks to minister to others by following the example of Point of Vision / www.pointofvision.com Jesus, who fully entered the human experience. In our cross-cultural ministry, Founding President/President Emeritus we are committed to learning the local language, living among the people, H.T. Maclin ministering in culturally appropriate ways, demonstrating love for God and Unfinished is a publication of The Mission Society. Subscriptions are free upon request. neighbor, and disciple-making among the nations. Send subscription requests, change of address- es, and all correspondence to P.O. Box 922637, INTEGRITY Norcross, Georgia 30010 or call 800.478.8963 (FAX 770.446.3044). The Mission Society is The Mission Society desires to reflect the holiness of God in all we do. funded entirely by gifts from individuals and Personally and corporately we endeavor to make the character of Christ local congregations. All gifts are tax-exempt and are gratefully acknowledged. Unfinished is manifest in our lives and our ministry. a member-publication of the Evangelical Press Association. Please visit The Mission Society online at: www.themissionsociety.org. PASSION The Mission Society staff: Jay Anderson, We are not complacent about the One who matters supremely or the work Ari Arfaras, Ron Beatty, Theresa Bennefield, God has given us to do; nor is our ministry prompted simply by duty, or even Dennis Brown, Ruth Burgner, Richard Coleman, Doug Cozart, Frank Decker, Vicki Decker, obedience. Our life together and our ministry are marked and motivated by Anna Egipto, Leslie Fellows, Theresa Gardner, passion for God and God’s mission. We are passionate about Jesus, our mission, Lauren Helveston, JoAnn Helveston, Reed Hoppe, Brenda Lee, Beverly Mancuso, Dick and all those involved in the journey with us. McClain, Lori Potts, Ivar Quindsland, Jim Ramsay, Shawn Ramsay, Stan Self, Todd Weeks, Laura Westbrooks, Darrell L. Whiteman, Tracy PEOPLE Wiggins, Larry Williams, Steve Wilson, Johnny Winkle, Roger Wright The Mission Society believes that people are of primary value. Because people The Mission Society board of directors: matter to God, people matter to us. Our cross-cultural workers, staff, donors, Jorge Acevedo, Cape Coral, FL; Robert volunteers, prayer partners, and those we seek to reach are of greatest worth Aboagye-Mensah, Accra, Ghana; Paul Baddour, Heathrow, FL; Ed Bell, Georgetown, SC; Jim to us. Because “relationships” and not “formulas” are our method, The Mission Davis, Dalton, GA; Jan Gilbert, Aiken, SC; Society exudes an entrepreneurial culture where every member is encouraged William Goff, Jr. , Ball Ground, GA; William M. Johnson (board chairman), Canton, GA; João to discern and pursue God’s unique direction for his or her ministry. Carlos Lopes, Curitiba, Brazil; H.T. Maclin, Decatur, GA; Don McGehee, Ruston, LA; John McNairy, Kinston, NC; Bill O’Brien, Frisco, TX; PARTNERSHIP Janet Rockey, Georgetown, SC; Jerald Russell, Since it is the Kingdom of God that we are called to express and extend Maryville, TN; Nicole Sims, Accra, Ghana; Robert Sturdy, Myrtle Beach, SC; Richard Weber, Sandy throughout the world, our ministry is about more than ourselves and our Springs, GA organization. We believe that working together enhances our witness and Our vision: The Kingdom of God advancing strengthens our ability to make disciples of all nations. The Mission Society among all peoples, bringing redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ; therefore pursues partnership in ministry endeavors – with churches, nationals, Our mission: To facilitate obedience to the Christian organizations, and individuals. Great Commission by the Body of Christ; Our strategy: To create self-reproducing, PRAYER indigenous, discipling Christian communities by mobilizing cross-cultural witnesses for It is only through the power and presence of the Spirit of Christ that we can live Christ in partnership with nationals. up to the high and holy intentions embodied in these values. We acknowledge our absolute dependence on God and seek both His guidance and His strength each day. Therefore, The Mission Society is a praying community. Table of Contents It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known. – Romans 15:20, NIV Muslims, Christians, and Jesus 4 Further along the Indian Road 16 International authority on Christian-Muslim relations Tracking the allure of Jesus in the world’s second most offers story after story about Muslims who are grounding populated nation their lives in Jesus. Perspective 2 What matters most? President Dick McClain identifies five core commitments that shape The Mission Society Reaching the Buddhist heart Missionary Neal Hicks describes the attractiveness of a living deity to a Buddhist heart 13 Why meekness is essential in ministry to Buddhists 14 Asia and the Pacific in their hearts 20 Meet some of your Mission Society missionaries serving in these areas News Kazakhstan field celebrates 15th anniversary 22 Rev. Edgar Nelson, Mission Society founder, passes away at 94 23 World 24 Refueling the workers: Regional gathering provides needed renewal for cross-cultural workers Church Ministry 26 Reclaiming the priority: Five ways your church can avoid drifting away from its calling Calling 28 Red light, green light: If you are at a crossroad in your life, this article is for you Personnel needs Inside back cover Opportunities to serve among the people of Asia www.themissionsociety.org Winter 2010 1 Perspective By Dick McClain What matters most? President Dick McClain identifies five core commitments that shape The Mission Society The Mission Society is currently expanding its work in India, a country which has a high population of least-reached people. India is home to nearly 1.2 billion people, of which 80.5 percent are Hindu, 13.4 percent are Muslim, 2.3 percent are Christian, 1.9 percent are Sikh, and 1.9 percent practice another religion or are unspecified. People often ask me what The Mission carrying out today, we found that we just a program we conduct. It’s at the very Society is all about. “What do you do?” had to ask a more fundamental question. heart of our ministry, because all who is how the question is usually put. “What are the core commitments that follow Jesus are called to join Him Over the past year or two we’ve given matter most to The Mission Society? in His mission “to seek and to save the considerable attention to that question. What are the things that drive everything lost.” Mobilization includes recruiting As a diverse organization with something else we do?” and deploying of missionaries, something of an entrepreneurial spirit, The Mission The answers to these questions we have always done. But it also includes Society has more than 200 workers provide probably the clearest and most helping churches be strategic and serving in more than 35 countries who significant statement about the priorities effective in reaching their communities, are doing a lot of things! Medical and and ministries of The Mission Society. their countries, and the nations for healthcare outreaches. Evangelism. They are guiding us as we develop Christ. So in addition to sending Community development. ESL. Bible strategies and objectives and goals. cross-cultural workers, The Mission translation. Feeding programs. Pastor Society has developed and implemented training. Education. Agricultural The Big Objective: Mobilizing the a proven and effective plan for helping ministries. The list isn’t limitless, but it’s Body of Christ local churches both in the United States pretty long! “Missions” isn’t the responsibility of and internationally become more In the process of identifying the many mission agencies alone! It’s the job of strategically engaged in Jesus’ mission ministries and activities that your the whole Body of Christ globally. So around the world. Mission Society missionaries are mobilizing people and churches is not 2 Winter 2010 www.themissionsociety.org The Aim: Reaching the least reached human form, He humbled Himself …” into His Kingdom. And His Kingdom There are 6.8 billion people on planet This means for us, as Jesus’ followers, touches all of life. Jesus didn’t segment earth. Roughly 2.3 billion are Christian. that we should also live “incarnationally.” people into their constituent spiritual, That means 4.5 billion are not. They Our missionaries seek to live as much as emotional, and physical parts. His life include 1.4 billion Muslims, nearly one possible like the people they’re trying to and ministry focused on whole people. million Hindus, and more than 600 reach. Following Jesus’ example also As a result, He healed the sick, fed the thousand Buddhists. (In the pages that means working very hard to communi- hungry, lifted up the poor and marginal- follow, you’ll read about some of The cate the Good News in ways that are rele- ized, and delivered the possessed. In a Mission Society’s ministries among all vant and meaningful to people in light of word, he showed mercy and compassion three major religious groups.) Of these, their unique ethnic, cultural, and reli- to the needy and (like the prophets be- 2.7 billion have been exposed to the gious background, rather than assuming fore Him) ushered in God’s justice for gospel, although they have not trusted they should understand and embrace our those who were oppressed. in Jesus. That leaves 1.8 billion people country, culture, and religious traditions Jesus’ ministry is the only adequate who have little or no access to the gospel.