On today's program we visit Cleveland, Ohio 00:00:01.06\00:00:03.52 to learn how one pastor 00:00:03.55\00:00:05.30 is touching life's using Christ method. 00:00:05.33\00:00:07.85 And we talk to Dr. Rick McEdward, 00:00:07.88\00:00:09.42 Director of Our Global Mission Centers, 00:00:09.45\00:00:11.87 that and much more coming up next 00:00:11.90\00:00:14.36 on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:00:14.39\00:00:15.87 Just before He went up to heaven, 00:00:27.55\00:00:30.07 Jesus gave us a command. 00:00:30.10\00:00:33.09 He gave us a mission. Jesus said, go. 00:00:33.12\00:00:38.24 Go unto all the world, telling them of His love. 00:00:38.27\00:00:43.21 This is our mission. This is our "Global Mission." 00:00:43.24\00:00:47.22 Hello, I'm Gary Krause 00:00:52.70\00:00:53.94 and welcome to Global Mission Snapshots. 00:00:53.97\00:00:56.42 Each week on this program 00:00:56.45\00:00:57.94 we look at what's happening 00:00:57.97\00:00:59.06 in Adventist mission around the world. 00:00:59.09\00:01:01.47 Global Mission focuses specifically 00:01:01.50\00:01:03.93 on reaching un-reached areas of the world 00:01:03.96\00:01:06.58 and un-reached people groups. 00:01:06.61\00:01:08.85 For many years now we are focused on the 10/40 Window, 00:01:08.88\00:01:12.20 an imaginary rectangle between 10 degrees 00:01:12.23\00:01:14.75 north latitude to 40 degrees 00:01:14.78\00:01:17.28 and stretching from Northern Africa 00:01:17.31\00:01:19.58 through the Middle East into Asia. 00:01:19.61\00:01:22.97 Today, we will be talking with Greg Whitsett 00:01:23.00\00:01:25.07 who is director of the Global Mission Centers 00:01:25.10\00:01:27.93 for East Asian Religions. 00:01:27.96\00:01:30.18 Pastor Whitsett and his family have spent many years living 00:01:30.21\00:01:33.28 and working in South East Asia 00:01:33.31\00:01:35.58 right in the heart of the 10/40 Window. 00:01:35.61\00:01:38.91 We'll also talk with Rick McEdward, 00:01:38.94\00:01:40.31 the director of the Study Centers about their vital work. 00:01:40.34\00:01:44.10 But first let's visit an American pastor 00:01:44.13\00:01:47.19 touching lives in the inner-city 00:01:47.22\00:01:49.38 by following the method of Jesus of mingling, 00:01:49.41\00:01:52.05 showing sympathy, ministering to needs, 00:01:52.08\00:01:54.90 winning confidence 00:01:54.93\00:01:56.24 and bidding people to follow Jesus. 00:01:56.27\00:02:01.49 I was asked to come into the city of Cleveland 00:02:01.52\00:02:03.67 and plant a church. 00:02:03.70\00:02:04.74 And I was told that you need to live in a community 00:02:04.77\00:02:08.28 if you don't plant a church. 00:02:08.31\00:02:09.77 Many pastors don't even live in the communities 00:02:09.80\00:02:11.61 where the churches are. 00:02:11.64\00:02:13.08 So, I live less than a mile from this place. 00:02:13.11\00:02:15.37 I live in the community. 00:02:15.40\00:02:16.55 I shop and walk the streets 00:02:16.58\00:02:19.03 and get engaged in this community, people know me. 00:02:19.06\00:02:23.38 And what we do here won't work everywhere, 00:02:23.41\00:02:25.26 I know that. 00:02:25.29\00:02:26.32 You can't take and replicate this in New York City 00:02:26.35\00:02:28.95 or in Atlanta, Georgia. 00:02:28.98\00:02:31.44 Most of the people that I ministered to here 00:02:31.47\00:02:33.97 would not fit in a traditional, rural, 00:02:34.00\00:02:37.45 small town Adventist church. 00:02:37.48\00:02:40.12 These people are low education, 00:02:40.15\00:02:42.03 low income, then on social services all their lives 00:02:42.06\00:02:46.82 and you are not gonna turn them 00:02:46.85\00:02:48.32 into a middle class educated Seventh-day Adventist. 00:02:48.35\00:02:52.20 The people that I'm ministering too don't get it 00:02:52.23\00:02:55.43 and the won't get it just because I come in 00:02:55.46\00:02:57.27 and give a health seminar or an evangelistic campaign. 00:02:57.30\00:03:00.77 They need me to walk along side of them. 00:03:00.80\00:03:02.96 But I think that what we are doing here, 00:03:02.99\00:03:05.52 at least in Cleveland 00:03:05.55\00:03:06.93 and in the area that I'm familiar with is reproducible 00:03:06.96\00:03:11.01 and it is effective. 00:03:11.04\00:03:13.22 Now as far as baptisms 00:03:13.25\00:03:15.18 and all of that this is a long term ministry. 00:03:15.21\00:03:17.56 Have we got baptisms? Absolutely. 00:03:17.59\00:03:20.00 I have got over the last four years of doing this 00:03:20.03\00:03:22.43 about a dozen baptisms 00:03:22.46\00:03:24.12 that where people have come to me 00:03:24.15\00:03:25.65 and said I want to be a part of this. 00:03:25.68\00:03:27.01 I want to take it through. 00:03:27.04\00:03:29.19 Erick is a great example of a person 00:03:29.22\00:03:31.90 who came in off the streets. 00:03:31.93\00:03:33.50 A person who was an alcoholic and destitute, 00:03:33.53\00:03:35.85 he was homeless and he was impacted 00:03:35.88\00:03:39.43 by our compassion not by our-- 00:03:39.46\00:03:41.69 not by our theological acumen. 00:03:41.72\00:03:44.62 And today, he is just an amazing example 00:03:44.65\00:03:49.12 of what can happen if you spend some time 00:03:49.15\00:03:51.16 and you care about these people. 00:03:51.19\00:03:54.15 I remember when I asked Kevin to baptize me. 00:03:54.18\00:03:56.35 The first time I shook Kevin's hand, it was-- 00:04:01.28\00:04:04.88 there was just something there, 00:04:04.91\00:04:05.94 there was something about this place 00:04:05.97\00:04:07.46 that kept wanting me to come back. 00:04:07.49\00:04:12.07 And I'm glad I did. 00:04:12.10\00:04:13.17 I don't take any credit for my sobriety, it's all God. 00:04:18.43\00:04:22.50 If it wasn't for me letting God in 00:04:22.53\00:04:25.36 and doing what I can't do for myself. 00:04:25.39\00:04:28.13 I wouldn't be sober today. 00:04:28.16\00:04:30.49 I was in church one day during the week working on something's 00:04:30.52\00:04:33.92 and I noticed it was in the winter, 00:04:33.95\00:04:35.74 there were some people out front at the bus stop 00:04:35.77\00:04:39.48 and I asked them if they wanted to come in 00:04:39.51\00:04:41.30 for a hot drink and a pastry 00:04:41.33\00:04:42.39 because I had some left over pastries. 00:04:42.42\00:04:45.30 And that's how the breakfast ministry started about 00:04:45.33\00:04:48.51 two and half years ago. 00:04:48.54\00:04:50.01 It was just simply inviting some cold people 00:04:50.04\00:04:51.98 at the bus stop to come in for a hot drink. 00:04:52.01\00:04:55.10 From that we ended up with our breakfast ministry 00:04:55.13\00:04:58.08 which is now four days a week, we want to make it five. 00:04:58.11\00:05:01.89 We get from 10 to-- today we have 35 people 00:05:01.92\00:05:04.63 show up coming in, we serve them a hot breakfast, 00:05:04.66\00:05:08.56 we try to serve them healthy breakfast. 00:05:08.59\00:05:11.16 Saturdays we still serve a community meal. 00:05:11.19\00:05:14.02 On average we have about a 1,000 community members 00:05:14.05\00:05:16.86 who walk through the door of our church every month. 00:05:16.89\00:05:21.29 Do people have a dependency on us 00:05:21.32\00:05:23.08 because of our services? 00:05:23.11\00:05:24.60 Yes to some extent but they know us by name. 00:05:24.63\00:05:30.43 When people come in today for the food pantry 00:05:30.46\00:05:35.65 and I'm walking around people are calling me reverend, father, 00:05:35.68\00:05:38.95 or pastor or whatever. 00:05:38.98\00:05:40.95 They know who I'm and they know what we are, 00:05:40.98\00:05:43.95 they know the name Seventh-day Adventist. 00:05:43.98\00:05:45.99 They are not turned off by it, they are not offended by it. 00:05:46.02\00:05:49.49 They frequently take our literature. 00:05:49.52\00:05:51.69 We give away cases of literature a month 00:05:51.72\00:05:55.36 because and are for here we have this literature rack 00:05:55.39\00:05:57.83 of all kinds of Seventh-day Adventist literature. 00:05:57.86\00:06:00.70 We give away all kinds of signs of the Times Magazines. 00:06:00.73\00:06:04.38 People know us, they connect the logo 00:06:04.41\00:06:07.41 and the name and they are reading our materials 00:06:07.44\00:06:10.17 and its--work, people are taking because they want it 00:06:10.20\00:06:13.56 not because we send it to their door 00:06:13.59\00:06:15.06 and they threw it away. 00:06:15.09\00:06:16.33 They are coming in and reading our material 00:06:16.36\00:06:18.18 and the reason they are doing that 00:06:18.21\00:06:19.32 is because they've got a relationship. 00:06:19.35\00:06:21.10 They put a face and flushing bones 00:06:21.13\00:06:23.67 to a name Seventh-day Adventist. 00:06:23.70\00:06:26.53 And we have a great reputation. 00:06:26.56\00:06:27.95 We need to keep moving downstairs. 00:06:27.98\00:06:30.45 I have a flyer up here in case any of you are interested. 00:06:30.48\00:06:34.48 We are starting Bible studies 00:06:34.51\00:06:36.03 on Wednesday mornings after breakfast. 00:06:36.06\00:06:37.86 It's opened to everybody, 00:06:37.89\00:06:40.16 so we like to invite you to grab a flyer. 00:06:40.19\00:06:42.97 You are not gonna break into those communities, 00:06:43.00\00:06:45.24 do a big event and then just drive out. 00:06:45.27\00:06:50.02 And if you got a lot of people driving in, 00:06:50.05\00:06:52.35 coming to that church you will never make 00:06:52.38\00:06:54.24 the connections in that we have done 00:06:54.27\00:06:57.36 by being here this ministry of presence. 00:06:57.39\00:06:59.21 And that's-- that's the mentality 00:06:59.24\00:07:01.06 or the message of ministry of healing, you know. 00:07:01.09\00:07:06.19 Jesus method alone is 00:07:06.22\00:07:08.11 that you have to walk along side of these people 00:07:08.14\00:07:09.98 and for some of them for a quite a while 00:07:10.01\00:07:11.66 to build trust, confidence 00:07:11.69\00:07:13.66 so that they can listen to what you have to share. 00:07:13.69\00:07:15.63 In 2007, the world's demographic centre of gravity changed. 00:07:23.65\00:07:29.69 For the first time in that year more people 00:07:29.72\00:07:32.15 where now living in urban areas than in rural areas. 00:07:32.18\00:07:35.90 Some thing that seems you to forget about 00:07:35.93\00:07:37.39 when you are in the 3ABN studio's in Southern Illinois. 00:07:37.42\00:07:41.32 But, Rick, my next guest you are the Director 00:07:41.35\00:07:44.01 of the Global Mission Centers 00:07:44.04\00:07:46.60 and one of the focuses of one of the centers 00:07:46.63\00:07:48.82 is on this very thing urban areas. 00:07:48.85\00:07:51.57 It is, and not only is at a focus but it is a challenge. 00:07:51.60\00:07:56.31 Yeah, a growing challenge. 00:07:56.34\00:07:58.59 You know, I get a chance to visit around 00:07:58.62\00:08:03.08 to some of the world's largest cities 00:08:03.11\00:08:05.59 and I have been stunned to see 00:08:05.62\00:08:08.65 how do we connect with that challenge. 00:08:08.68\00:08:11.52 Yeah, now, Japan for example. 00:08:11.55\00:08:13.72 Yeah, actually, I was recently in Tokyo. 00:08:13.75\00:08:16.68 I have spent several days there 00:08:16.71\00:08:18.17 and you know it's a busy place. 00:08:18.20\00:08:22.77 Right near where we have an Adventist church 00:08:22.80\00:08:25.73 there is probably one of the busiest business districts 00:08:25.76\00:08:28.86 in all of Tokyo. 00:08:28.89\00:08:30.01 But what's unique about this is it has people who dress up 00:08:30.04\00:08:34.27 in different kids of characters. Right. 00:08:34.30\00:08:36.10 There is what they call Manga, Anime, Gothic 00:08:36.13\00:08:40.13 and baby doll and different kids of-- 00:08:40.16\00:08:42.99 they take on different characters. 00:08:43.02\00:08:44.40 They are like tribes. 00:08:44.43\00:08:45.65 Yeah, well and-- and what they do is they-- 00:08:45.68\00:08:48.07 they live a second life on the weekends 00:08:48.10\00:08:51.49 that is totally different from their ordinarily life. 00:08:51.52\00:08:53.14 Some people do it, I think all the time. 00:08:53.17\00:08:55.63 And I started wondering how do we connect? 00:08:55.66\00:08:59.89 And then right next door to this very post-modern group 00:08:59.92\00:09:04.13 are the very traditional Japanese's cultures. 00:09:04.16\00:09:06.64 They traditional dress, they-- 00:09:06.67\00:09:09.83 the places where they show the emperor shrines, 00:09:09.86\00:09:12.58 buying amulets for different solutions 00:09:12.61\00:09:15.51 and you just have to wonder, 00:09:15.54\00:09:17.07 we are right there in the middle of them 00:09:17.10\00:09:18.48 our church is how do we connect with the people 00:09:18.51\00:09:22.96 who are all around us. 00:09:22.99\00:09:24.25 Yeah, that's quite a contrast 00:09:24.28\00:09:26.15 because, the church represents tradition, history, 00:09:26.18\00:09:31.27 a certain way of doing thing 00:09:31.30\00:09:33.18 but you are in the context of a changing demographic. 00:09:33.21\00:09:36.83 Well and not only that but our tradition the way 00:09:36.86\00:09:39.78 we have always done things doesn't even connect 00:09:39.81\00:09:41.51 with their traditional culture, 00:09:41.54\00:09:43.53 so you have these diversions with in. 00:09:43.56\00:09:45.83 How do we prayerfully have a mission that matters? 00:09:45.86\00:09:50.91 Good question, why can't you please answer that. 00:09:50.94\00:09:54.35 Well, actually I do think that in other cities 00:09:54.38\00:09:57.04 we have seen some glimpses or solutions. 00:09:57.07\00:09:58.81 Okay, tell us. 00:09:58.84\00:10:00.07 One of them was in Taipei, Taiwan. 00:10:00.10\00:10:02.78 Taipei is one of the worlds largest cities. 00:10:02.81\00:10:05.19 It's enormous. 00:10:05.22\00:10:06.90 You have Taipei 101 is huge skyscraper, 00:10:06.93\00:10:09.14 one of the largest buildings in the world. 00:10:09.17\00:10:10.41 You have a very technological society 00:10:10.44\00:10:14.22 and there right in the shadow of Taipei 101 00:10:14.25\00:10:18.39 is our Adventist hospital. 00:10:18.42\00:10:21.47 There are coupled with the church 00:10:21.50\00:10:22.99 and the Adventist hospital there in Taipei is ministering 00:10:23.02\00:10:29.18 to the needs of its community. 00:10:29.21\00:10:31.06 I think you brought some pictures of them. 00:10:31.09\00:10:32.13 I did, actually there are some pictures 00:10:32.16\00:10:34.35 and, you know, they have different ways. 00:10:34.38\00:10:36.08 They have a fitness centre and they have you know even-- 00:10:36.11\00:10:41.81 even the mission of the church of the hospital states clearly 00:10:41.84\00:10:46.03 that they are connecting spiritually with people. 00:10:46.06\00:10:48.78 Helping them live a better life. 00:10:48.81\00:10:50.57 They have a fitness centre, 00:10:50.60\00:10:52.62 restaurant, vegetarian restaurant 00:10:52.65\00:10:54.71 they have a way of touching the community through lifestyle. 00:10:54.74\00:11:00.41 And one of the beautiful parts about 00:11:00.44\00:11:02.96 their connecting with lifestyle is that 00:11:02.99\00:11:06.33 they are able to then connect with the neighboring church. 00:11:06.36\00:11:09.87 There is a church, Seventh-day Adventist church 00:11:09.90\00:11:11.75 just across the way it boarders the fence boarders 00:11:11.78\00:11:16.01 and they are able to share together 00:11:16.04\00:11:18.27 and the pastor is involved in the lifestyle centre 00:11:18.30\00:11:21.35 and by being involved people are finding hope 00:11:21.38\00:11:23.61 and truth and coming to know Jesus. 00:11:23.64\00:11:26.38 Because it doesn't matter what cloths you wear 00:11:26.41\00:11:28.21 or what tribe you belong to. That's right. 00:11:28.24\00:11:32.29 We all have health need that's a connecting point. Absolutely. 00:11:32.32\00:11:36.05 There is another one that I would like to share 00:11:36.08\00:11:38.66 and I brought a picture of it. 00:11:38.69\00:11:40.66 I was in Bucharest, Romania few months back. 00:11:40.69\00:11:46.16 And there really close to a very large church 00:11:46.19\00:11:52.35 I met a group of people that were so special. 00:11:52.38\00:11:55.74 This group of people were all focused on developing 00:11:55.77\00:11:59.19 a centre of influence again, 00:11:59.22\00:12:01.37 a centre where that would connect 00:12:01.40\00:12:03.29 to the needs of the community. 00:12:03.32\00:12:06.05 It happened because the man in the picture 00:12:06.08\00:12:09.86 in the wheelchair 00:12:09.89\00:12:12.43 actually some years ago growing up as an Adventist 00:12:12.46\00:12:14.88 but some years ago had a tragic accident 00:12:14.91\00:12:16.60 where he jumped into a pool 00:12:16.63\00:12:18.82 and the pool didn't have much water in it. 00:12:18.85\00:12:20.88 It was supposed to 00:12:20.91\00:12:22.15 and he was paralyzed from the neck down. 00:12:22.18\00:12:26.15 For some years he struggled with his paralysis 00:12:26.18\00:12:30.21 but the Lord gave him a new vision and new heart 00:12:30.24\00:12:33.69 and he decided that he wasn't going to sit there 00:12:33.72\00:12:37.21 and just do nothing. 00:12:37.24\00:12:39.30 God gave him actually a mission to other people 00:12:39.33\00:12:42.13 who have been through tragedies. 00:12:42.16\00:12:44.17 So, he began to write a newsletter 00:12:44.20\00:12:45.92 which developed into a full fledged magazine 00:12:45.95\00:12:47.92 that has a subscription based of 4,000 people around Romania. 00:12:47.95\00:12:53.77 They started having a social get together 00:12:53.80\00:12:55.59 where people with a visual impairment 00:12:55.62\00:12:57.87 or physical handicaps could come together 00:12:57.90\00:13:01.33 and now they have actually started a church. 00:13:01.36\00:13:03.92 On the same campus in the compound there, 00:13:03.95\00:13:06.79 that has about 50 to 70 people coming 00:13:06.82\00:13:10.86 who from a handicap background have become church members. 00:13:10.89\00:13:16.18 Who love the Lord, who have seen a church that reaches out 00:13:16.21\00:13:20.10 and touches the needs of the community 00:13:20.13\00:13:22.41 and this is now been replicated 00:13:22.44\00:13:24.19 around Romanian and other places. 00:13:24.22\00:13:25.78 Great story. Excellent. 00:13:25.81\00:13:27.24 Beautiful, yeah. 00:13:27.27\00:13:28.42 Rick, thanks for sharing with us some of the challenge 00:13:28.45\00:13:31.23 but also some of the directions 00:13:31.26\00:13:32.65 that we can be going and meeting that challenge. 00:13:32.68\00:13:35.12 Appreciate it. Thanks. 00:13:35.15\00:13:36.68 And viewers at home, 00:13:36.71\00:13:38.21 please pray for the mission to the cities, 00:13:38.24\00:13:41.68 what a tremendous challenge 00:13:41.71\00:13:42.96 and if you want to learn more about 00:13:42.99\00:13:44.09 what the Seventh-day Adventist church is doing 00:13:44.12\00:13:47.09 visit missiontothecities.org, missiontothecities.org. 00:13:47.12\00:13:51.36 You will read there about centers of influence 00:13:51.39\00:13:53.80 and many other wonderful initiatives 00:13:53.83\00:13:55.84 to reach the cities with God's love. 00:13:55.87\00:13:57.71 The office of Global Mission is involved 00:15:16.15\00:15:18.73 in many different aspects of ministry 00:15:18.76\00:15:20.59 all connected with church planting 00:15:20.62\00:15:22.50 in new areas among new people groups. 00:15:22.53\00:15:25.03 One of the most significant things 00:15:25.06\00:15:26.69 that we have been doing for the last several years 00:15:26.72\00:15:30.11 is supporting Global Mission Centers 00:15:30.14\00:15:33.01 and I'm delighted to welcome Pastor Greg Whitsett, 00:15:33.04\00:15:36.14 who is director of the Center for East Asian Religions. 00:15:36.17\00:15:40.19 Greg, thanks for joining us. Thank you for having me. 00:15:40.22\00:15:42.58 Now you arrived here last night from how many hours of travel? 00:15:42.61\00:15:46.37 Ah, I don't like to count, it's about 24 hours. 00:15:46.40\00:15:49.90 Yes, you came from Bangkok, Thailand 00:15:49.93\00:15:51.99 and you are looking remarkably bright. 00:15:52.02\00:15:53.59 So thanks for joining us. 00:15:53.62\00:15:55.80 In your work, you are working with people 00:15:55.83\00:15:58.33 who come from a totally different outlook 00:15:58.36\00:16:02.18 and prospective and background 00:16:02.21\00:16:03.54 the most of the people viewing this program. 00:16:03.57\00:16:05.38 Yeah, that's true. 00:16:05.41\00:16:07.44 And one of the challenges as Seventh-day Adventist 00:16:07.47\00:16:10.33 is in these areas how do we mingle 00:16:10.36\00:16:12.99 and how do we connect with people who-- 00:16:13.02\00:16:15.61 who say things differently to us. 00:16:15.64\00:16:16.83 Can you talk to us a little bit about that? 00:16:16.86\00:16:19.15 Yeah, you know, whether it's next door 00:16:19.18\00:16:21.89 the place we've grown up and lived all our lives 00:16:21.92\00:16:23.80 or whesther it's like me living overseas 00:16:23.83\00:16:26.07 somewhere that's very foreign place. 00:16:26.10\00:16:29.04 You know, people are people 00:16:29.07\00:16:30.80 and Christianity is all about being 00:16:30.83\00:16:33.57 a blessing to those around us 00:16:33.60\00:16:35.59 to live in favor with both God and man. 00:16:35.62\00:16:38.41 And so I won the greatest choice of living 00:16:38.44\00:16:41.35 in Asia of course is spending time with our neighbors, 00:16:41.38\00:16:45.00 getting to know them and we do a lot of learning. 00:16:45.03\00:16:48.17 You know, a lot of times as a missionary 00:16:48.20\00:16:50.09 or as someone representing Christ 00:16:50.12\00:16:51.66 who want to do the talking. 00:16:51.69\00:16:53.36 But God has given us two eyes, 00:16:53.39\00:16:55.41 two ears and other sensory organs to-- 00:16:55.44\00:16:57.85 to we have to learn from and only one mouth. 00:16:57.88\00:16:59.95 So it's important to spend time learning 00:16:59.98\00:17:02.15 and one of the things that-- 00:17:02.18\00:17:03.49 that I have learned over the years is that 00:17:03.52\00:17:08.19 there are certain events 00:17:08.22\00:17:09.72 that are really important to Asian's 00:17:09.75\00:17:12.30 and to Buddhists specifically. 00:17:12.33\00:17:14.58 One of the most important event 00:17:14.61\00:17:16.21 actually is the last one in your life your funeral. Yes. 00:17:16.24\00:17:20.17 Because this represents a passage 00:17:20.20\00:17:22.78 from this life to the next 00:17:22.81\00:17:25.03 and so, as Christians it would seem that 00:17:25.06\00:17:28.97 if it's an important time to be with people 00:17:29.00\00:17:31.47 when it's important to them. 00:17:31.50\00:17:32.53 You know, that we should actually 00:17:32.56\00:17:33.62 be with people during those times 00:17:33.65\00:17:34.85 so I found it quite a learning experience 00:17:34.88\00:17:38.42 and also to deepen relationships 00:17:38.45\00:17:41.44 by going to funerals of all things. 00:17:41.47\00:17:43.47 Well, part of the challenge though is 00:17:43.50\00:17:46.39 in the funeral ceremonies 00:17:46.42\00:17:48.22 of some people groups there's parts of it 00:17:48.25\00:17:50.71 that we as Adventist would say, 00:17:50.74\00:17:53.12 hey, that's not the way we want to do things right. 00:17:53.15\00:17:55.29 Oh, of course yeah, that's true. 00:17:55.32\00:17:57.53 But that doesn't-- shouldn't remove from us 00:17:57.56\00:17:59.69 the ability to-- to with respect join in. 00:17:59.72\00:18:03.45 You know, a funeral 00:18:03.48\00:18:04.93 first and far most is a life crisis. Right. 00:18:04.96\00:18:08.69 You know, it's a time when people are mourning 00:18:08.72\00:18:12.75 as the time that they are struggling 00:18:12.78\00:18:14.73 with the loss of the loved one. 00:18:14.76\00:18:16.49 And as I read my Bible I see the Christ was with people 00:18:16.52\00:18:20.68 when they were hurting. 00:18:20.71\00:18:22.02 You know, and so there's a very basic human need 00:18:22.05\00:18:25.57 at that time and certainly Christ would expect us 00:18:25.60\00:18:28.38 to be with hurting people. 00:18:28.41\00:18:30.31 And so when we go to the funerals 00:18:30.34\00:18:33.34 and that sort of thing, we of course wear the things 00:18:33.37\00:18:36.31 that are quite different, you know. 00:18:36.34\00:18:38.36 But I can't resist anymore so to speak you know, 00:18:38.39\00:18:42.70 but it's a good opportunity to represent Christ love. 00:18:42.73\00:18:46.42 Yeah, are there any ways that Adventist are using this 00:18:46.45\00:18:52.50 as a vehicle to connect. 00:18:52.53\00:18:54.14 I mean for Adventists 00:18:54.17\00:18:55.72 who are torn between the heritage 00:18:55.75\00:18:58.96 the way they've always done 00:18:58.99\00:19:00.02 and now they are doing the Christian way. 00:19:00.05\00:19:01.21 How can we try to combine those two together? 00:19:01.24\00:19:04.26 Yeah, this is a great challenge the way you are mentioning here 00:19:04.29\00:19:08.15 because as Christian's we-- we read our scriptures, 00:19:08.18\00:19:13.04 and we emphasize our truths 00:19:13.07\00:19:14.99 and but we are also taught by those who gone before us. 00:19:15.02\00:19:18.62 We are been disciples by other Christians 00:19:18.65\00:19:20.73 and often times of that we weren't even aware of the things 00:19:20.76\00:19:23.95 we pick up just because we value 00:19:23.98\00:19:26.22 those who brought us the good news 00:19:26.25\00:19:28.18 and we picked up things from them. 00:19:28.21\00:19:30.43 And one of the things that has happened over-- 00:19:30.46\00:19:33.11 over a period of decades of course in generations is that 00:19:33.14\00:19:36.56 the church even in Asia has become in a way westernized. 00:19:36.59\00:19:41.99 And this creates a great divide 00:19:42.02\00:19:44.12 not only because of believe system 00:19:44.15\00:19:45.64 but also of lifestyle practice and that sort of thing. 00:19:45.67\00:19:48.44 Some of that is normal but some of that is unnecessary. 00:19:48.47\00:19:51.76 And so funeral has ended up becoming a challenge 00:19:51.79\00:19:55.53 where instead of pulling people together 00:19:55.56\00:19:57.60 it's almost isolating. 00:19:57.63\00:20:00.00 And where Buddhist value 00:20:00.03\00:20:01.86 the inter dependence the cooperation 00:20:01.89\00:20:04.29 and the harmony in the community 00:20:04.32\00:20:05.74 they see Christianity or something coming in 00:20:05.77\00:20:07.34 and dividing their community. 00:20:07.37\00:20:09.20 But it seems that that would be-- 00:20:09.23\00:20:11.33 that would be wise for us to find ways 00:20:11.36\00:20:13.17 that we can participate in these funerals 00:20:13.20\00:20:15.89 to come to minister to people without violating our faith. 00:20:15.92\00:20:19.05 You know, same true to-- to what we-- 00:20:19.08\00:20:20.89 what we know is true. 00:20:20.92\00:20:22.05 And so actually one of the things 00:20:22.08\00:20:23.11 that we are doing at the centre is having a discussion. 00:20:23.14\00:20:25.92 What can be done? 00:20:25.95\00:20:26.98 Because right now, a lot of times each-- 00:20:27.01\00:20:29.43 each church, each pastor, each field is doing 00:20:29.46\00:20:31.71 what's right in their own eyes. 00:20:31.74\00:20:33.34 And that may work locally but-- 00:20:33.37\00:20:35.12 overall there is a lot of need of need to find ways how to-- 00:20:35.15\00:20:38.24 how to live in the community to mingle among men 00:20:38.27\00:20:41.04 as people desiring the good of those around us 00:20:41.07\00:20:44.05 and winning their confidence through that. 00:20:44.08\00:20:45.47 Because what you are talking about here 00:20:45.50\00:20:47.10 is the fundamental stage in Christ method, the mingling. 00:20:47.13\00:20:52.25 That's right. That's right. 00:20:52.28\00:20:53.48 And too often we keep that as totally separate. 00:20:53.51\00:20:55.97 That's right and but it's not only a violation 00:20:56.00\00:21:01.31 of honoring God if we participate in things 00:21:01.34\00:21:03.80 we shouldn't but its also a violation 00:21:03.83\00:21:06.08 of what means to be Christian by staying away. Right. 00:21:06.11\00:21:08.46 So it's not one or the other 00:21:08.49\00:21:09.78 it's actually finding a way to do both. Yeah. 00:21:09.81\00:21:13.06 To not compromise our faith 00:21:13.09\00:21:14.23 but the same time to be with people. 00:21:14.26\00:21:16.42 Yeah, well Greg, thanks for giving us 00:21:16.45\00:21:18.25 some sort of an inside in just one area 00:21:18.28\00:21:21.05 that you are wrestling within the centre. 00:21:21.08\00:21:23.13 I appreciate you are sharing. Yeah. 00:21:23.16\00:21:25.36 And viewers at home, 00:21:25.39\00:21:27.41 our Global Mission centers have a tremendous challenge 00:21:27.44\00:21:30.03 that it is a God given challenge 00:21:30.06\00:21:31.69 of how do we make the Christian message 00:21:31.72\00:21:34.60 and way of life meaningful in the context of the people 00:21:34.63\00:21:37.44 that we are reaching. 00:21:37.47\00:21:38.69 And as Pastor Greg has pointed out 00:21:38.72\00:21:40.40 we are not talking about compromising anyway. 00:21:40.43\00:21:42.54 What we are talking about is making the gospel accessible 00:21:42.57\00:21:46.15 and understandable. 00:21:46.18\00:21:47.32 Please pray for Greg and all the Global Mission Centers. 00:21:47.35\00:21:50.41 To My gentle searching eyes, 00:22:06.61\00:22:12.25 there have been no disguises 00:22:12.28\00:22:17.63 Nothing that you have done 00:22:17.66\00:22:22.34 that you can hide 00:22:22.37\00:22:27.43 I've seen you in your darkness sin 00:22:27.46\00:22:30.79 and know the pain and guilt within 00:22:30.82\00:22:34.42 But the question on your mind 00:22:34.45\00:22:37.61 am I worth saving anyway 00:22:37.64\00:22:41.56 I see you child for who you are 00:22:41.59\00:22:44.72 Know that sin has left its ugly scars 00:22:44.75\00:22:48.54 But I know who you were meant to be 00:22:48.57\00:22:51.76 And My love will set you free 00:22:51.79\00:22:57.05 So come weary child, rest beside Me for awhile 00:22:57.08\00:23:04.82 I know your care, the burdens that you bare 00:23:04.85\00:23:11.13 Abide in My love, 00:23:11.16\00:23:15.24 hide in My love 00:23:15.27\00:23:17.97 Don't push Me away, ashamed and afraid 00:23:18.00\00:23:25.73 I know who you are 00:23:25.76\00:23:28.28 And I love you anyway, My child 00:23:28.31\00:23:34.10 So bring Me all your wants and needs 00:23:42.02\00:23:45.75 I promise they can't burden Me 00:23:45.78\00:23:49.24 Most desperate one cannot exceed My care for you 00:23:49.27\00:23:56.24 And bring Me all your doubts and fears 00:23:56.27\00:23:59.53 The hurt you haven't faced in years 00:23:59.56\00:24:03.25 The wounded heart you stuffed inside 00:24:03.28\00:24:06.70 The tears you've tried so hard to hide 00:24:06.73\00:24:13.55 So come weary child, rest beside Me for awhile 00:24:13.58\00:24:21.33 I know your care, the burdens that you bare 00:24:21.36\00:24:27.68 Abide in My love, hide in My love 00:24:27.71\00:24:34.52 Don't push Me away, ashamed and afraid 00:24:34.55\00:24:42.24 I know who you are 00:24:42.27\00:24:44.89 And I love you anyway, My child 00:24:44.92\00:24:51.79 So come to Me just the way you are 00:24:51.82\00:24:55.23 Though your fallen hard and wandered far 00:24:55.26\00:25:00.57 Stop trying to be so brave so strong 00:25:00.60\00:25:03.88 It's okay to cry child tears aren't wrong 00:25:03.91\00:25:10.86 So come weary child, rest beside Me for awhile 00:25:10.89\00:25:18.76 I know your care, the burdens that you bare 00:25:18.79\00:25:24.98 Abide in My love, hide in My love 00:25:25.01\00:25:32.01 Don't push Me away, ashamed and afraid 00:25:32.04\00:25:39.64 I know who you are 00:25:39.67\00:25:42.27 And I love you anyway, My child 00:25:42.30\00:25:49.01 Yes I love you always, My child. 00:25:49.04\00:25:55.13 I Love You Anyway, 00:26:17.97\00:26:19.49 what a wonderful message to share with the world. 00:26:19.52\00:26:22.64 If you are watching this program, 00:26:22.67\00:26:24.03 chances are you believe in and care about mission. 00:26:24.06\00:26:27.52 Recently the Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:26:27.55\00:26:29.34 started a new mission magazine called Mission 360. 00:26:29.37\00:26:33.59 It's a wonderful magazine and if you live in North America 00:26:33.62\00:26:36.81 and would like to receive this new magazine 00:26:36.84\00:26:38.76 as well as news about Global Mission 00:26:38.79\00:26:41.03 just call our toll free number 1-800-648-5824 00:26:41.06\00:26:46.15 or you can visit our website at adventistmission.org/offer. 00:26:46.18\00:26:51.31 Or better yet, wherever you are in the world 00:26:51.34\00:26:53.94 you can download the free digital magazine 00:26:53.97\00:26:56.50 through your iPad, Kindle HD, or Android tablet. 00:26:56.53\00:27:01.00 Just search for Adventist Mission 00:27:01.03\00:27:02.71 or Mission 360 in their app stores 00:27:02.74\00:27:05.64 or you can just go online to advenistmission.org 00:27:05.67\00:27:09.35 and view the magazine right there. 00:27:09.38\00:27:12.80 Well, that's it for today's program 00:27:12.83\00:27:14.37 and thanks for spending time with us today. 00:27:14.40\00:27:17.22 I hope you have been inspired 00:27:17.25\00:27:18.45 by what you have seen and by what you heard. 00:27:18.48\00:27:20.82 Thank you, for your continuing prayers 00:27:20.85\00:27:23.40 and your support for Global Mission around the world. 00:27:23.43\00:27:26.88 For Global Mission, I'm Gary Krause 00:27:26.91\00:27:28.83 and I hope you can join us next time 00:27:28.86\00:27:30.82 right here on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:27:30.85\00:27:33.55