Answering 7 Common Objections to Long-Term Missions

During almost 500 meetings I set up to raise support for service in Germany, I glimpsed a snapshot of current evangelical sentiment towards long-term, cross-cultural ministry. Many exciting things are happening today in the evangelical world, whether in short-term ministry, church planting, or expanding our social consciousness. Yet I cannot escape the conclusion that a major change in the tides has come to the evangelical world regarding missions. Time and time again I encountered intelligent people, both laymen and pastors, who argued passionately that long-term, cross-cultural work is "no longer the way God does things."

The arguments have come from many corners, but regardless of the source, the next generation of long-term, cross-cultural missionaries seems to be listening. I regularly hear about people who have been, in essence, reasoned out of their calling. Anyone who cares about God's mission to the nations should be interested to address the ideas being used to deconstruct 20 centuries of missionary precedent. So let me briefly introduce the most popular objections and offer an alternative way of looking at each of them.

• "It (long-term, cross-cultural missions) destroys foreign cultures."

In contrast to the way that American capitalism, franchising, and media encourage people to wear the same things, watch the same shows, and worship the same cultural idols, Christian missionaries have historically been at the vanguard of linguistics, studying local culture, and contextualizing the faith in a truly native way. Like any other branch of Christian ministry, international missions work has endured embarrassing and lamentable chapters. But in many cases Christian missionaries are some of the few people interested in preserving a language, even a whole culture, in the midst of the homogenizing effect of globalization.

• "It's based on outdated theology."

If missions no longer concerns us, we must think (at one level or another) the gospel itself is no longer necessary or urgent. But to the extent that we think the spread of the gospel is no longer necessary or urgent, we are no longer truly Christians.

•  "It's unnecessarily offensive."

The Prince of Peace himself offended people when he preached the gospel. Of course, Christians sometimes offend others by sheer rudeness, and where that happens it should be rebuked. But if your version of Christianity does not offend your non-believing friends, even when articulated civilly and sensibly, you have good reason to ask whether it's really Christianity you're explaining.

•  "Short-term teams can do the same thing but more efficiently."

In every other field of human endeavor---whether medicine, accounting, or teaching---we think a person needs education and experience to do their job well. But it is increasingly popular to assume that everyone---no matter their commitment, education, or experience---can do equally well in explaining the gospel to people of a different culture. This is a kind of insult to the unevangelized. This view testifies to our belief that people outside our neighborhood or borders are somehow less sophisticated, or more easily appealed to, than we would be. Real work takes real time, and real people deserve our long-term attention.

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Researchers Discover Bacteria That Produces Pure Gold

The gold you see in the photo above was not found in a river or a mine. It was produced by a bacteria that, according to researchers at Michigan State University, can survive in extreme toxic environments and create 24-karat gold nuggets. Pure gold.

Maybe this critter can save us all from the global economic crisis?
 
Of course not—but at least it can make Kazem Kashefi—assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics—and Adam Brown—associate professor of electronic art and intermedia—a bit rich, if only for the show they have put together.

Kashefi and Brown are the ones who have created this compact laboratory that uses the bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans to turn gold chlroride—a toxic chemical liquid you can find in nature—into 99.9% pure gold.

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Where Do You Stand?

Faith Based Organizations to Lead Cross-Continental Bike Tour to End Poverty

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 4, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Cyclists are signing up for the ride of their lives next summer, taking God's message of hope to the streets.

The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. The tour is hosted by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) -- an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America

The tour begins June 21, 2013, in Los Angeles and ends nine weeks later in New York City. Stops include Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Toronto, and Montreal. Organizers expect this will be the largest bicycle tour to ever cross the United States and Canada, and applications are already coming in. Riders have the option of going the full distance or registering for one to five week segments.

The challenge includes nine weeks on the road, cycling an average of 68 miles per day, and resting only on Sundays. Each rider is also required to raise at least $10,000 toward the cause.

The 2008 tour, which rode through the U.S. and Canada, sent over $1.5 million to local, national and international agencies fighting poverty.

"We have been able to make a difference in fighting poverty, locally and abroad, before. But there is so much more to do. The needs today are greater," said Claire Elgersma, chair of the tour's steering committee.

Funds generated through the tour will be used to support new or ongoing initiatives in the areas of business and community development, and will provide people around the world with access to clean water, immunizations, and other vital medical services. Additionally, 35 percent of the tour proceeds will be distributed to local programs that assist the poor.

For more information about Sea to Sea, go to www.seatosea.org.

Christian Newswire

How Hookers for Jesus Founder Turned Away From Sex Trade to Serving God

Annie Lobert worked for 16 years in the sex industry, battled cancer and got into drugs. But when she called out to Jesus from death's door, she found her Savior and the vision to comfort thousands of other victims of sex trade. She shares how she became "a virgin in Christ" in a new video on iamsecond.com.

Dressed in black and seated on a white couch, the 44-year-old founder of Hookers For Jesus appears in the nearly 14-minute video on the website that features the testimonies of personal struggle and transformation of celebrities and everyday people. She recalls she felt "I'll never ever be clean."
She had seen hardships since she was a girl. Raised in an abusive family, she turned to boys at school to find some self-worth. "I met this boy in school that stole my heart. He told me that if I slept with him that we'd get married... And when I found out that he was sleeping with several of my best girlfriends, it was such a shock to me," she says, as she narrates her story with emotions.
After graduation, Lobert moved away from home to Minneapolis. She was 18. "I had to work three jobs to have my own place and buy a car." She thought if she had nice clothes and went to the clubs, "maybe I could meet a rich guy that would sweep me off my feet and would take care of me like a prince would." She thought money was the answer to the "deep seated, rooted unforgiveness towards my dad, towards that boy in school. I just wanted revenge."
The lure of money pulled her into prostitution. During a vacation from her jobs, one night "I actually sold myself with my girlfriend to some Japanese clients and I became a prostitute." She wasn't happy with $3.47 an hour any longer "once I found out that I could make hundreds if not thousands of dollars, selling myself. $500 per hour with no attachment, no relationship, $1000 per hour, now it was $2000 per hour, it gave me this immense power and if you wanted me for the night it was $10,000."
One day, Lobert met a man at a club where she was a dancer. He claimed he was falling in love with her, and she thought she had found her prince. He took her to Las Vegas, where she learned he was actually a pimp. "He choked me. He threw me on the porch on my knees and he started kicking me. 'This is pimping 'B.' I am just choking on my own blood. 'You're going to work for me.' He's punching me in my face. 'I do not know what you thought what time it is, but what time it is now you're going to pay me.' My nose broke, my ribs broke. It was like I was looking at the devil. The prince turned dark. 'And if you try to leave, I'll kill you.'"

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/how-hookers-for-jesus-founder-turned-away-from-sex-trade-to-serving-god-82605/#350VGjjdecgKzbVF.99

Faith leaders sound off on role of church in public education

(CNN) – Dozens of faith leaders from across the country recently gathered to attend The Stand Up Education Policy Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, to talk education reform. The daylong conference was hosted by education organzations StudentsFirst, founded by Michelle Rhee and Stand Up, led by her husband, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. The purpose of the event was a call for action for clergy to take part in the national movement to transform public education.
CNN spoke with some prominent religious leaders in the African-American community to find out their views on the role faith institutions should play in public education.
Rev. DeForest Soaries, Jr., a senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey, laid out what he believes are three roles of the church in education.
"One is programs. Some churches have their own schools that would be on the programmatic level, after school programs and literacy programs. The second is political dealings with the various political forces that impact and control public schools: Making sure people run for school board, making sure people vote for school board, and monitor what's happening. And, the third is policy: Advocating for policies that enhance the likelihood of success."

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Atheists Lose First Amendment Legal Challenge to State‘s ’Year of the Bible’ Declaration

Atheists technically lost their legal battle, challenging Pennsylvania’s “year of the Bible” declaration. That said, there’s a light at the end of the non-theistic tunnel, as the judge, despite ruling against secularists, also chastised state politicians for pandering to the electorate.
In February, the foundation for the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s (FFRF) legal battle was set after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution (H.R. 535) declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible.” Naturally, this riled non-believers, causing them to publicly protest what they saw as a discriminatory breach of the separation of church and state.
“This nation faces great challenges that will test it as it has never been tested before … and renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people,” a portion of the declaration read.
After months of jockeying back and forth between the two sides, U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner dismissed the case, siding with House Republicans who had motioned for the court to do so (the judge said he was bound by legislative immunity — a protection of lawmakers for actions they take within their respective duties).
While Conner dismissed the FFRF challenge, he also chastised the lawmakers, calling the resolution a “waste of legislative resources” and dismissing it as “exclusionary,” Philly.com reports.
“At worst, it is premeditated pandering designed to provide a reelection sound bite for use by members of the General Assembly,” the judge wrote. “At a time when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faces massive public policy challenges, these resources would be far better utilized in meaningful legislative efforts for the benefit all of the citizens of the Commonwealth, regardless of their religious beliefs.”

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Wait Until You Hear About Actor Tyler Perry’s Incredible Act of Kindness

(TheBlaze/AP) — Filmmaker Tyler Perry is donating a new vehicle to a Georgia woman with cerebral palsy after her specially-equipped van was stolen outside her home in Atlanta.
Perry told Atlanta station WSB-TV that he decided to give Alicia Day the brand new van after watching a news report about the theft this week.
Inspired by her story and dismayed that the family could not afford to replace the $60,000 vehicle, Perry reportedly called the news channel just minutes after the program ended to ask what he could do to help.
 

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57 Year-Old Man Runs 75 Marathons in 75 Days for his Wife After Losing her to Breast Cancer

Terry Hitchcock interviewed by Mike Woodley on MCN Twin Cities. Hitchcock was the subject of "My Run" the movie narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton. Hitchcock ran 75 marathons in 75 days in 1996 to bring awareness to Single Parents raising children. Hitchcock will present his story and his movie on May 1st in Burnsville, MN Special music provided by Alex Ligertwood, lead singer of Santana 1979-1994 and Headliner.

Obama: The Fetus Is "A Potential Life" But Viability "Is A Moving Target"