Day 30: Christian Homes in Pagan Settings - The Japa Evangelists

Missionaries from different parts of Europe and America brought Christian ethos and faith to Africa and other parts of the world. Most of the foremost leaders who oversaw the best parts of our histories were raised by these missionaries in one way or another (directly through the churches or indirectly through the churches’ institutions). They evangelised and discipled through both active and passive methods. I once worked with a certain lady who explained how her grandparents sold their ancestral castles to support missionaries in an African country, free but costly. Sadly, the lady vehemently refuted any link to the Christian faith. How heartbreaking! 

The errors of mortals began to creep into the Western Church systems many decades ago. Gradually, the church began to lose its grasp of the West; today, it is what it is! The same people who invested heavily to ‘export’ Christianity to distant lands are now propagating atheism with astronomical investments. Thankfully, the church systems in Africa, Asia and Latin America are waxing strong in many quarters, more than ever in history. And some professionals bred and raised by the churches emigrate to the West - japa. Sadly, they become “faith strangers” in settings that are fast reclining to the left axis.

Dear Christian sojourners in distant lands, the Lord be with you and be your stay. How is your walk with God? Where are you on the journey? Aligning with a faith-based church where the Word is preached is essential. Do you worship online with your home church? While that may be good, and we encourage you to continue that, we recommend that you equally join a Bible-based church around you. It has many advantages for you, your family, God’s people and the unbelievers around you. 

Have you ever thought of yourself being on a missionary journey? Did you know that God may have brought you here for ministry purposes? On the one hand, you now have a better socioeconomic capacity to support missions and charitable works at home. We have not been rescued so that we can enjoy comfort. The Lord continues to empower us so that we can empower and rescue others - as His ambassadors and partners.

The Selah Support Foundation is ministering to adolescents who erred, giving them and their vulnerable children second chances. In partnership with sister organisations and churches, we provide support in diverse forms to communities where extreme hunger and poverty bite hard, take care of the elderly, support an orphanage home, and periodically give small-scale business grants to community women. We would be very grateful if you could partner with us as we continue to serve God and God’s people. And, of course, there is Yao (our third son based in Togo), who was adopted through the "Compassion ministry". Many more children out there need to be sponsored, and "Compassion" makes it easy for you. They are here... https://www.compassion.ie/. If you are already doing some things in this regard, thank you so much, and may God replenish you. In that case, please don’t feel pressured to take on new commitments.

On the other hand, the environments in which you now live, work, and fellowship need evangelists and you may have been placed there by God for divine purposes. Yes, I know you can’t do this and do that. I know. Please don’t do what the law and system don’t allow you to do. But I still don’t know any system that forbids us from choosing to be a righteous example. Preaching is heard, but examples are felt, seen and encountered. Be an example of believers.

Let those who encounter you have reasons to want to question why you are different. Keep to time, especially at work. Be honest. Be very diligent at work. Wear a smiling face. The gospel is joy; it can’t be sold with a frown and gloomy face. Be kind, including and especially to those who don’t deserve it. Be gracious. Relate with people around you, and take an interest in what pertains to them. Accept and live the culture of your new environment as much as it is biblical—no better evangelism tool than people’s culture. If you are permitted, pray with that troubled soul. After leaving them, continue to pray for them. Live the Bible. And who knows, someone might be interested in learning about why you are ‘like this’. You are an Evangelist. You are on a mission.

© Selah Series 2024