Participants: Gary Krause (Host), Ishmael Rabatho
Series Code: GMS
Program Code: GMS000069B
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00:01 Welcome, back next stop
00:02 Rick Kajiura talks with Pastor Antonio Montero, 00:05 who shares some of his experience 00:07 of being in Toga Jail. 00:10 Our guess today is Pastor Antonio Montero. 00:14 Pastor Montero was imprisoned in Togo 00:18 for a crime that he did not commit, 00:20 he spent 22 months in prison. 00:23 People around the world were praying for him 00:24 and we're happy that he's been released 00:26 and he's with us today. 00:28 But the other day Pastor Montero said something. 00:30 He said, I wasn't in prison, 00:32 I wasn't a prisoner, I was on a mission. 00:36 So Pastor Montero, I'd like to talk to you a little bit about, 00:39 what your mission was in that prison? 00:43 What was it that you were doing 00:45 in the prison to minister to people around you? 00:59 It's true I considered myself a missionary in prison. 01:03 An innocent missionary for a time in prison. 01:07 I never looked at myself as a prisoner, 01:09 but as someone doing mission work. 01:14 I would preach in my prison cell 01:15 and give Bible studies every Tuesday and every Thursday. 01:19 And many of the people would accompany me to church. 01:23 There was a place where we would 01:24 gather together on Saturdays, 01:25 I would preach to them each Sabbath. 01:31 Also on Tuesday's between 10 and 11 in the morning 01:33 I taught a Bible class. 01:36 Then on Thursdays from 10 to 11 01:37 another Bible class would take place 01:39 to further the knowledge of the baptize prisoners 01:42 and to help others to know the truth 01:44 that leads to eternal life. 01:49 I was able to distribute a lot of pamphlets and books there. 01:53 There were about 400 books given in that, prison 01:56 among these were the Adventist Home 01:58 and the Great Controversy. 02:02 The prisoners would devour these books. 02:04 They had never before had access 02:05 to the Adventist literature 02:07 and above all other books, 02:09 the Adventist Home did wonders inside that prison. 02:13 Many families, many husbands requested this book 02:16 and would mail them to their wives to read. 02:19 As you know this improve their lives a great deal. 02:25 People of different world views 02:26 such as Buddhists, Muslims and others 02:28 they were reading these books 02:29 as quickly as they could get their hands on them. 02:33 I was able to undertake all the services I just mentioned 02:36 and also do better counseling. 02:40 I remember a young man who came to me 02:42 and told me that he had stolen a lot of money, 02:44 but after hearing the messages 02:45 he felt impressed to give the money back that he had stolen. 02:49 I was able to counsel them and to give guidance 02:51 as to how to properly return the stolen money. 02:55 I didn't want him to have any further problems 02:57 so I told him to look for is lawyer 02:59 and to inform him of his decision. 03:02 Then later call the judge and proceed properly 03:04 so we would be protected and not expose himself 03:07 in the hands of the people he stole from. 03:10 I also counseled couples, people who had problems 03:13 and needed someone to talk to in confidence. 03:17 I prayed with people over the phones 03:18 some who I had never seen before. 03:21 Some husbands call their wives and attempted reconciliation. 03:25 They would ask me to pray with them. 03:28 You know, prison has this negative side 03:31 where it destroys the individual 03:32 as well as damaging the family. 03:35 People who spend even a few months in prison 03:37 are in jeopardy losing their family. 03:40 I feel that God utilized me to counsel 03:42 and help a lot of prisoners. 03:45 I remember talking to Togo's former minister of defense 03:48 who was brother to Togo's president. 03:52 He was in prison for five years already 03:53 and sentenced to 20 years. 03:56 I have the opportunity to minister to him 03:58 and to pray with him. 04:01 I presented him a series of DVD's from a local pastor 04:04 and gave him the Great Controversy book 04:06 that he was anxious to receive. 04:10 In this manner I was able to do missionary work even in prison 04:15 and it brought forth positive results 04:17 as we baptize nine people there. 04:21 We celebrated communion for the first time ever in that prison. 04:25 So you can see that God has blessed the work, 04:28 and I believe more fruits will come in the future 04:30 as we will see many more souls saved. 04:34 I will always tell God if this is come to further Your work 04:38 and praise be to the Lord use me to do the work. 04:50 Pastor Montero, many people go through hardships in life. 04:55 What advice would you give to them 04:57 on how to find their mission calling 05:00 and to turn hardship into a mission? 05:11 It's true 05:12 a lot of people in this world go through difficult situation. 05:17 The enemy's main target is destroying the family's, 05:21 thus we see crisis after crisis with the family institution 05:24 but we also see individuals who face challenges, 05:28 difficulties and struggles. 05:31 Sometimes one battles finances, health other times, 05:34 educating their children, unemployment, 05:36 there are a wave of challenges 05:39 and it's natural for people to feel depressed, 05:41 discouraged or even desperate and it's not easy, 05:46 but if you're going through difficult times 05:48 I have to tell you that I went through a trying period. 05:52 For 22 long months my family suffered 05:55 and had to face this crisis for 22 months. 06:00 It wasn't easy at all, 06:03 but I need to tell you that our Lord Jesus Christ, 06:06 He is in control of everything. 06:09 Our God tells us that He will never leave us, 06:12 even if a mother would forget her childrenwho she nourishes 06:15 God would never forget us. 06:19 Right there where you are facing your problem, 06:23 going through heavy turbulence 06:25 lift up your eyes look to God with confidence, 06:28 with faith in prayer in, with determination, 06:31 you will overcome. 06:34 I overcame thanks to prayer and intervention 06:36 with the help others. 06:38 Allow God to unite with you to fight your problems 06:41 and win the fight for in Christ we are more than conquerors. 06:45 Take courage and look to Jesus 06:47 who is the author and finisher of our faith. 06:57 Thank you, Pastor Montero. 06:59 And to you viewers, 07:01 no matter what you're going through 07:04 please turn to God 07:05 because He can help you find the mission in your life. 07:08 When you help others it helps you. 07:11 But please also pray for Pastor Montero and his family, 07:14 and many others who are imprisoned for their faith. 07:18 Sometimes we make the mistake 07:19 of thinking of the mission field 07:21 as being somewhere far away 07:24 however, in reality it also includes 07:26 wherever we as Christ followers live. 07:29 Next let's travel to Indonesia 07:31 to meet Philipus a church planter. 07:38 If you visit this small city in Indonesia 07:41 you'll find a Seventh-day Adventist congregation 07:43 worshiping on top of a hill. 07:46 This church was started because a man named Philipus. 07:49 Philipus was born here in Kaimana 07:51 and he has a heart for mission. 07:55 When he was younger 07:56 Philipus wanted to become a police officer. 07:59 He ventured to other cities 08:00 to get an education and enrolled in police training. 08:04 On his journey he learned about the gospel message 08:06 and became a strong believer. 08:09 The Bible was an important part of his life. 08:12 As he was sleeping one night Philipus had a unique dream. 08:18 I had a dream that told me 08:20 I needed to build a church for my own tribe in Kaimana. 08:25 There were no Adventist in Kaimana, 08:27 but God had impressed him to plant a church. 08:31 He knew this job would be difficult, 08:33 he left police training and connected with church leaders. 08:36 He was assigned to a far region to teach people about Jesus. 08:40 But Philipus felt a burden to reach his own tribe. 08:44 The leaders eventually agreed to let him go back 08:46 to his hometown. 08:48 He came back encouraged to share the message. 08:52 I started by visiting my family's house 08:55 and witness to them through Bible study. 08:58 Eventually they accepted the message. 09:01 Philipus knocked on doors to spread the word. 09:03 Although many were skeptical 09:05 about allowing new religions into their town, 09:08 some people allowed him to teach them 09:10 and accepted the message of hope. 09:12 A small group of believers met each Sabbath for worship. 09:16 We made this area a temporary church, 09:19 this area right here. 09:22 Overtime many more people 09:25 have accepted Jesus into their lives. 09:28 The congregation grew so much that they had to build a church 09:31 where they could worship on Sabbath. 09:33 Today members are active in the community. 09:37 One form of outreach is through the children. 09:40 They sing and pray with people right on their doorsteps. 09:47 The children have so much fun singing to people 09:50 who have never heard these songs before. 09:53 Later that day some other kids visit another site 09:56 where another congregation is quickly growing. 09:59 They gather regularly at a member's home to worship. 10:03 Their group has grown so much 10:04 that they plan to build a new church there soon. 10:07 The group continues their worship at the building site 10:10 and prays that God will bless their congregation. 10:14 They take joy in mixing the concrete 10:16 to begin building their new church. 10:19 God used Philipus to plant a church in Kaimana. 10:22 Although this congregation is growing 10:24 there are many challenges 10:26 while working in this region in the world. 10:28 Please pray for the people of Indonesia. 10:31 Pray that God will touch their hearts 10:33 so that many will come to know Jesus. 10:36 And thank you, for supporting mission. 10:46 Well, thanks so much for joining us 10:47 on Global Mission Snapshots today. 10:49 I hope you've been inspired and challenged 10:51 by what you've seen and heard. 10:53 You may recall at the start of the program 10:55 I mentioned a ministry method 10:58 that actually transcends different cultures. 11:01 Ellen White describes it as Christ method 11:04 and we see this clearly in the gospels 11:06 with the Savior mingled with people. 11:08 He showed His sympathy to them, 11:10 He ministered to their needs, He won their confidence 11:13 and then He bid them to follow Him. 11:15 It's a beautiful method. 11:17 It's a method that's bathed in love and compassion, 11:20 and it's a method that truly works. 11:23 If you live in North America 11:24 we would love to send you 11:26 a small gift of appreciation for your support of mission. 11:29 It's the Mission 360 DVD 11:32 and it's full of mission stories 11:34 like you've seen on today's program. 11:36 Simply call the toll-free number on your screen right now 11:39 and ask for the Mission 360 DVD 11:42 or if you prefer you can go to the Adventist Mission 11:45 website as well and ask for the Mission 360 magazine. 11:49 Well, that's all for today's program, 11:51 thanks so much for joining us 11:52 and I hope you can join us next time 11:54 right here on Global Mission Snapshots. |
Revised 2015-03-26