Alex Hays shares news of some encouraging gospel work in Asia
It was Charles Spurgeon who said: ‘If you give a man the gospel, wrap it in a sandwich. And if you give a man a sandwich, wrap it in the gospel.’
In one sense, his point is rather obvious – our message must be backed up by our actions, and our lifestyle must reflect that of our loving Saviour. On another level, perhaps Spurgeon’s suggestion grates against much of what many evangelicals have come to stand for – the primacy of evangelism to the detriment of social action. Certainly, much ink has been spilled over how much time, money and effort should be afforded to ‘social justice’, ‘compassion’ ministries and ‘creation care’ whilst countless souls drift towards an eternity apart from God. Yet I hope you will agree that the distinction between proclamation and demonstration is, at least to some extent, a false dichotomy.
I don’t presume to have the killer argument which many have sought to find or provide. I can’t tell you what proportion of your church’s mission budget should be apportioned to various activities, nor how to categorise them. Instead, let me share how the good news of Jesus Christ is saving souls from the furthest corners of the earth, as God’s people proclaim and demonstrate the love of Christ.
Mission to Mongolia
Our first stop is Mongolia – a land about which very little is known by most of us in the West. Here, wild animals roam across vast empty plains. There are cows, goats and camels, and it is even suggested that the horse population outnumbers that of humans.
Around half of the nation’s population can be found in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Sprawling into every valley and crevice between the surrounding hills, this is the coldest capital city on earth, with temperatures in winter plummeting as low as -40C. And if that doesn’t send a shiver down your spine, just imagine being one of the 45% of people who live in a ger (a round tent), partly due to a sense of historical identity, but largely as a result of poverty. While the introduction of capitalism in the 1990s brought prosperity to a few, many have experienced the other side of the coin.
The sandwich
As for the church’s response here, it’s safe to say that members have been front and centre in addressing social problems. Hospitals have been built in remote areas, feeding centres have been opened to provide food and family for hungry orphans, and shelters have been established to provide accommodation and means of escape for women who have spent almost their entire lives in sexual slavery. Furthermore, Christians have gone into schools to help children, teachers and governors alike understand the value of the individual, the benefits of teamwork, and the duty we have to one another in society – values which had all been forgotten since the dawn of Communism in this country.
Then there are the winter kits. A local Christian NGO works each winter to identify the most needy children across various towns, and provide them with warm coats and boots. Without these, the children would face a long, freezing walk to school. These kits are a lifeline for children living on the fringe of society and at risk of dropping out of school.
The gospel
Of course, the big question will be ‘Is the gospel proclaimed?’ I can assure you it is. Those who attend the hospitals are able to talk with Christians and are offered gospel literature. Children at the feeding centres hear Bible stories read and explained by experienced and well-trained church pastors. Women in the shelters are shown mercy by their new Christian friends, and join in with times of Bible reading and hymn singing. Meanwhile, many of the children in the schools excitedly accept invitations to extra-curricular Bible clubs run by local churches.
As for the winter kits, over 100 are distributed each year. Families are invited to churches to receive the kits, coming under the sound of the gospel and meeting God’s people in the process. Wonderfully, lives are being changed through this work. It was a real joy to meet with Batbayar, a boy who had received a winter kit. Through the project, he heard that Jesus came to save us from our sins, and committed his life to Christ. None of his family are yet believers, so come rain, shine or biting cold he walks the long journey to church all by himself each week. When I asked what he enjoys most about church, Batbayar explained that being there each week is his heart’s response to the salvation he has found in Jesus.
In fact, you will struggle to find a church in Mongolia that isn’t trying to address the immediate needs of the local community, as the gospel has been spread through these means. Little has been done to study and evaluate the patterns, but it seems that, while churches hold evangelism in high regard, they are also taking the call to care for orphans and widows particularly seriously, as well as feeding and clothing the poor.
The results of the believers’ bold witness are undeniable. In just over 25 years, the number of Christians here has risen from around four individuals to perhaps 150,000. Churches are being planted throughout the nation, and across borders into Russia and China too. While many church leaders are relatively young and immature, training programmes are being rolled out and indigenous leaders raised up. In short, as the gospel has been proclaimed and demonstrated, God has built his church.
Mission to the South-East
Elsewhere, a few thousand miles south, Christians are witnessing to the brothel workers of South-East Asia. It’s often slow and painful work, speaking with and showing compassion to women who are caught up in destructive lifestyles and who have known little else. Light does break through the darkness, however, and it was a thrill to learn recently of a whole brothel saved – seven girls, along with the owner of the brothel, made the decision to turn to Christ. All eight were baptised and the team now have the joy of discipling these young believers in the early days of their faith.
Mission to the North-West
Heading North-West, we find Burma – a country at war with itself ever since independence, nearly 70 years ago. Over 600,000 people have been displaced from their homes, and it is God’s people who are stepping up to help, providing shelter and safety. One refugee camp received 5,800 people, with around half being children. A group of teens who had heard about Jesus at another camp travelled to prepare for the new arrivals, cleaning and cooking for them before sharing their new-found hope in Jesus.
Mission to Muslims
For one final stop, let’s head to a Muslim region in the Himalayas. Here, women are oppressed, receiving little or no education. Many can’t even read. One local pastor, who has operated in this restricted region for over ten years, recently began a radio ministry which broadcasts throughout the region. He also helps to run a sewing school for women which equips them with skills to help them secure work, and provides opportunities to introduce them to Jesus Christ – opportunities which are bearing fruit as women are saved.
Of course, these stories are just a handful of the examples from Asia, and those whose focus is on other parts of the world will hear and tell many other great stories. God has always used his people to be a blessing to the nations, as they shine as lights on a hill, caring for the poor and needy, and proclaiming the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. The work is often slow and success hard to measure, but the task is not finished in the UK, in Asia, or anywhere else. Let us not grow weary in doing good, and let us not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.
