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March 2007 |
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I've been reading the story of Bill Wallace, the missionary surgeon who was
martyred by communists in China in 1951. He was renowned as the finest surgeon
in South China. When all other missionaries had fled the country and a bandit
army was approaching he was given one last opportunity for escape. An American
captain whose ship was anchored in a nearby river informed Wallace he could no
longer be responsible for Wallace's safety if he stayed.
Wallace replied, "You
were not responsible for my coming here in first place and you don't need to be
responsible for my staying here." The local Chinese citizens defended him from
communist propaganda, harassment and extortion. Eventually a pre-dawn raid by
20 communist soldiers resulted in his arrest. At his (show) trial, the
communists were unable to find any local citizens to testify against Wallace.
His example of loving service in the name of Christ had touched thousands of
lives. The communists finally resorted to weeks of torture that eventually led
to death. At his grave, local Christians inscribed the Scripture which they
felt described the motivation of his life, "For to me to live is Christ." (Phil
1:21)
The unprecedented growth of the Church in China is occurring from
the seedbed of the martyrs of the last century.
My recent visits with
persecuted Christians in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and North Africa have
reminded me that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is often the result of
suffering. "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that
you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of
the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on
you." (1 Peter 4:13,14)
If you, like me, long for more of the Spirit of
glory and of God in your life, give yourself to His mission! There is an
invitation that the Spirit of Jesus is extending to the Church today to
experience the joy, glory and sufferings of Jesus as we join Him in His
mission. Bill Wallace's life asks the question, "What are we living
for?"
Ministry Highlights
-Our new longer term "Hope for
Thailand" team to North Thailand has been praying for their full support to be
pledged. A church recently committed to covering the remaining $40,000/ year to
send the team!
-In India there was a team of two young adults on a short
term trip to an unreached village. The town became violent towards them and
expelled them from the village. Their outreach leader went to the village to
check up on the young adults and he too was almost beaten and had to leave.
After praying they decided to go back one month later. Four people in that
village then responded to the call to follow Jesus and were baptized. Now a
fledgling church has been planted- Praise God!
Items for
Prayer
-Pray for the strength, safety and release of 13 Southeast Asian
church leaders who were arrested and placed in jail recently. Pray for
religious freedom in their country and pray that church members will remain
faithful in the face of persecution in spite of the absence of their
leaders.
-Our winter TREK teams have completed their training phase and
will be starting their assignments in North Africa and Mexico this month. As
they partner with our longer term missionaries in those countries, pray for
unity, vision and energy.
Watch for Celebration Missions Nights coming to
churches across North America in 2007!
 Click to download the March 2007 Vision for Mission in PDF format 353.03 Kb
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