Participants:
Series Code: TDYL
Program Code: TDYL200035A
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00:01 Music...
00:02 Greg: As you're well aware 00:04 we're living in unprecedented times. 00:05 Join us now for today's special program. 00:07 Music... 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:17 mending broken people 00:22 I want to spend my life 00:28 removing pain 00:33 Lord, let my words 00:39 heal a heart that hurts 00:44 I want to spend my life 00:50 mending broken people 00:54 I want to spend my life 01:00 mending broken people 01:07 music... 01:15 Shelley: Hello, and welcome to 3ABN Live. 01:18 Oh boy! this is fun... 01:20 it's always fun when it's a live program. 01:22 Shelley: We feel a little lonesome out here 01:24 because we're the only two in the Studio 01:27 but we've got three wonderful guests tonight 01:29 and an inspiring program. 01:31 JD Quinn: Amen. 01:32 Shelley: It's been a busy week. 01:34 JD Quinn: It's been a real busy week. 01:35 Shelley: Have you had some good calls? 01:36 JD Quinn: Oh my goodness! 01:38 You know, when I first started working here, 01:39 they were talking about... 01:40 we get calls from all over the world. 01:42 When I first started, I thought, "Well, that probably means 01:44 we're getting calls from California... 01:46 Florida... maybe Indiana... 01:47 but that wasn't what they were talking about, Shelley, 01:50 and this is going to incorporate what we're talking about 01:52 tonight... 01:53 we were getting calls from Australia... 01:55 we were getting calls from Germany... 01:56 from Romania... from the Caribbean... 01:58 I mean... around the world. 02:00 Shelley: Amen... amen. 02:02 JD Quinn: And we're going to build off of that tonight. 02:03 Shelley: Yes, we are... yes, we are 02:05 and sometimes when they call, he can't understand their accent 02:09 quite often they can't understand his. 02:11 JD Quinn: Yeah, we're working on that. 02:13 Shelley: You know, the thought struck me today 02:17 that God's missionary heart and His purpose 02:21 is seen throughout the entire Bible... 02:23 right in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned 02:31 God introduced the idea 02:35 that He was going to send someone 02:38 who would be born of a woman 02:39 who would be Messiah... 02:41 who would do away with the works of the devil 02:45 and we see that God is... I mean, when He called Abraham, 02:49 He said, "All the nations will be blessed through you. " 02:53 He sent the Savior to be a light to Gentiles, 02:58 not just to restore Israel 03:02 but to be a light to the Gentiles. 03:03 JD Quinn: Amen. 03:05 Shelley: And, of course, tonight we will be talking 03:08 about carrying out God's purpose... 03:11 about having this missionary heart... 03:15 Jesus said in Matthew 28 verses 18 through 20, 03:20 He said, "All authority has been unto Me 03:23 therefore... because I've got this authority, 03:26 you go... go into all the world... 03:29 baptize... making disciples... " 03:32 in other words, not just converts, 03:35 you don't just have them converted... 03:38 He says, "teach them everything 03:40 that I have commanded you... " 03:43 and that's what our guests tonight do. 03:48 This is going to be an inspiring program, 03:50 we have lots of video... it's going to be lots of fun, 03:53 so, let me go ahead and introduce our guests. 03:56 First we have Gary Krause 03:58 and Gary is the Director for Adventist Mission 04:04 at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Church, 04:08 Gary, hi... 04:10 Gary: Good evening, nice to see you again. 04:12 Shelley: It is so good to see you, my Friend, 04:15 and we love your Texas accent. 04:17 Guests: Oh yeah... laughing... 04:20 Shelley: Somebody... one of the camera men said, 04:22 "Boy, I don't know what time it is for this guy, 04:25 he's down in Australia or something... " 04:27 but, you're joining us from Maryland 04:30 and we're so glad that you're joining us 04:32 and then, we have Mike Ryan... 04:36 Mike, you're up there in Colorado... 04:37 he is the Assistant to the General Conference President. 04:41 We're so glad you could join us. 04:44 Pause... 04:45 Mike: I am very pleased to be here this evening 04:48 and thank you for the invitation. 04:50 Shelley: Yes, have the fires gotten close to you 04:53 up there in Colorado? 04:54 Pause... 04:56 Mike: Ah, well, they've been to the north of us... 04:59 we really haven't had too much of it, in our immediate area. 05:03 Shelley: Praise the Lord for that, 05:04 we've been praying for you guys 05:06 and then we've got our dear friend, Rick Kajiura, 05:10 did I say it right? 05:11 Rick: You said the way I said it 05:13 so, as far as I am concerned, you said it right. 05:15 Shelley: Wonderful... and Rick is the Communications Director 05:20 for Adventist Missions 05:21 at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church. 05:24 Boy, you guys have long titles... it's something else... 05:27 JD Quinn: Can I bring up one thing, Shelley, 05:29 so that our Viewing audience will... 05:32 we're doing this via Skype. 05:33 Shelley: That's... that's... you know, 05:37 we live in a world of remote access... 05:40 praise God for the access 05:42 but we are sorry they couldn't be with us here tonight 05:45 but we're not going to notice the difference 05:48 because we get to see them 05:50 it's like sitting down across the table from them. 05:52 JD Quinn: Yes, I was noticing with Mike 05:54 because we just ask the question 05:56 and about another second or two then he was answering 05:59 and so, there is that delay 06:02 but the good news is that we're all together. 06:04 Shelley: Amen. 06:05 JD Quinn: I mean, it's absolutely amazing... 06:07 I was doing a devotional, 06:09 when I was taking a devotional back I think the 1949, 06:13 heaven forbid, we had the old ring phones on the wall 06:17 and here we're able to go across just wherever we want to 06:21 by Skype... you know... 06:22 just by these unwritten lines 06:25 it's just amazing. 06:27 Shelley: It is exciting the world we live in 06:30 and things are happening so quickly 06:33 but please don't get your mind in a negative place... 06:38 what we have to do as Christians 06:41 is not worry about who's in charge in our country... 06:46 what we need to worry about is who's in charge in the... 06:51 in the kingdom which we belong 06:53 and we want to do His will to reach the unreached 06:57 because that's what God does. 07:00 We are Live tonight... 07:02 so, you can text in your questions 07:05 to 618-228-3975... 07:13 618-228-3975 07:17 or you can e-mail us at: live@3abn 07:24 dot... is it tv... yeah, they've got org in here 07:28 but it's tv dot tv... 07:30 live@3abn. tv 07:32 so, let's have a quick song and we got to get with it, 07:36 we got lots of good stuff. JD Quinn: I know... I know... 07:37 I'm going to try my best to pronounce this right 07:41 but it's: Paulo Torres 07:43 and he's going to be singing "The Love of God. " 07:45 Shelley: Amen. 07:47 Music... 08:02 The love of God 08:04 is greater far 08:08 Than tongue or pen 08:11 can ever tell; 08:15 It goes beyond 08:17 the highest star, 08:21 And reaches to 08:25 the lowest hell; 08:29 Music 08:39 O love of God, 08:41 how rich and pure! 08:46 How measureless 08:49 and strong! 08:52 It shall forevermore 08:56 endure 08:59 the saints' and angels' song. 09:06 When years of time 09:09 shall pass away, 09:13 And earthly thrones 09:16 and kingdoms fall, 09:20 When those on hills 09:24 and mountains call, 09:26 God's love so sure, 09:30 shall still endure, 09:33 All measureless and strong; 09:37 Redeeming grace to Adam's race... 09:40 The saints' and angels' song... 09:46 The love of God 09:50 how rich and pure... 09:54 The saints' and angels' 09:57 song... 10:01 Music... 10:05 Could we with ink 10:08 the ocean fill, 10:11 and were the skies 10:15 of parchment made, 10:18 Were every stalk 10:21 on earth a quill, 10:25 and everyone 10:28 a scribe by trade, 10:32 To write the love of God 10:35 above, 10:38 would drain the ocean 10:41 dry. 10:45 Nor could the scroll... 10:49 contain the whole... 10:52 though stretched from sky 10:55 to sky... 11:02 Music... 11:09 O love of God, 11:12 how rich and pure... 11:16 how measureless and strong! 11:23 It shall forevermore endure, 11:30 the saints' and angels' song. 11:36 Music... 11:41 O love of God, 11:44 how rich and pure... 11:47 how measureless 11:50 and strong! 11:53 It shall forevermore 11:57 endure, 12:01 the saints' and angels' song. 12:07 Music... 12:13 O love of God, 12:16 how rich and pure... 12:18 how measureless 12:22 and strong! 12:25 It shall forevermore 12:30 endure, 12:33 the saints' and angels' song... 12:39 the saints 12:46 and angels' 12:51 song. 12:56 Pause... 13:01 JD Quinn: Obviously what I should have said a while ago, 13:03 Shelley, and what I really meant was, 13:05 "He can certainly make that violin sing... " 13:07 Shelley: He can make that violin sing... that was beautiful. 13:10 Well, if you're just now joining us 13:12 tonight we are... we have three man servants of God 13:16 who are going to share inspiring stories 13:20 and these are wonderful videos that we're going to show you, 13:24 great stories tonight 13:25 but let's just go ahead and get started 13:28 because we've got a lot... 13:29 Gary, we want to ask you first 13:31 because I know... since I've known you, 13:34 it have... there's... it's been decades... 13:36 what three decades that Global Missions has been around, 13:40 tell us how it started and for what purpose. 13:43 Gary: Yeah, well, thanks Shelley, 13:45 yeah, this is the 30th Anniversary of Global Mission 13:49 and so, we're commemorating it but we're not celebrating it 13:51 but we're not celebrating it 13:53 and what I mean by that is 13:55 we realize that for the past three decades, 13:59 God has been leading with new groups of believers 14:02 being planted around the world 14:04 as a result of this new focus that was started in 1990, 14:08 where church members and church leaders came together 14:12 and they prayed and they planned 14:15 and they looked at the world map and they... 14:17 they looked at where the Adventist church was active 14:20 and where it wasn't 14:21 and they decided, "We have to have an intentional plan here 14:25 to start new groups of believers... " 14:28 so, we celebrate the fact that 14:30 back then there were six million church members... 14:33 today we have far more than 20 million... 14:35 we've seen the growth as a result of global mission 14:37 but we're sorry because we're still here... 14:40 we're still on Planet Earth 14:42 so, we would like to commemorate it 14:46 and it's appropriate that we have Elder Ryan 14:48 here this evening 14:49 because he, of course, was the first Director of Global Mission 14:53 he got the whole thing started 14:55 from absolutely nothing... 14:57 there was no Global Mission Pioneer Program... 15:00 there were no Urban Centers of Influence... 15:02 there was no focus as we know it 15:05 on reaching unreached people groups 15:08 so, Mike can tell the story of those beginnings 15:11 much better than I can. 15:12 Shelley: Mike... Mike... 15:14 Pause... 15:17 Mike: Well, you did a pretty good job Gary, 15:21 I'll tell you the most important thing 15:24 I believe that we did here... 15:27 we had a vison for mission 15:30 and we had a passion for mission... 15:33 as the world leaders came together 15:37 and it came to them, they realized 15:41 that we had many places still to go 15:44 and particularly, they focused on 15:47 four major areas... 15:49 the former territory of the Soviet Union... 15:52 China... 15:53 India... 15:55 and then across the Middle East 15:57 and, of course, the reason they selected these areas 16:00 is because we were very late on the ground. 16:04 Now, we commonly refer to that territory today 16:07 as the 10/40 Window 16:09 and I think the other kind of a... the church has had 16:17 is sensitivity... 16:18 and that is the area of Urban Mission 16:21 and Urban Mission doesn't come to us 16:25 just in that 10/40 Window 16:27 even though there are massive cities there, 16:29 but it comes to us around the world 16:32 and those three days were very interesting... 16:35 but there were good people... praying people... 16:38 people with a vision and they were determined 16:41 that if we were really going to follow 16:44 what is the Church's mission recorded in Matthew 28:19 to 20, 16:50 Revelation 14... 16:51 there's many places that we can reference that mission. 16:55 If we were really going to follow that, 16:57 we needed to go about it with a little more intentionality 17:01 and I believe that's what really gave birth to Global Mission. 17:05 Shelley: And I have to tell you 17:06 that one of the things that impressed me so much 17:08 when I first started watching 3ABN was Global Mission. 17:13 When I realized that this church 17:16 really was reaching the unreached around the world, 17:20 that was something... 17:22 it was very convincing to know 17:24 that the church had that kind of heart and compassion of Jesus 17:29 and right now, what we'd like to do... 17:31 you've got a little video clip, 30 years of Global Mission 17:35 and this would be a good time for us to see that. 17:40 Music... 17:48 Thirty years ago, 17:50 the Seventh-day Adventist Church 17:51 embarked on a global mission focus 17:53 that would totally change the face of the church. 17:56 Church leaders identified key areas 17:58 where the mission was struggling. 18:00 Although the church was growing rapidly 18:03 in certain parts of the world, 18:05 many areas and people groups remained totally unreached. 18:08 The church will continue working in areas where it was doing well 18:12 but something needed to change 18:14 if we were going to be faithful to the great commission 18:16 to go to all peoples. 18:18 At the General Conference Session in 1990, 18:21 Delegates voted the global strategy document 18:24 and Global Mission became an urgent new mission focus. 18:27 There were two key objectives: 18:30 1. To alert church members 18:32 to the large number of unreached people groups 18:35 and 2: To plant new groups of believers among those groups. 18:39 Since 1990, the Seventh-day Adventist Church 18:44 has nearly quadrupled in size. 18:46 Millions of new believers have found life in Jesus 18:50 and have joined the Adventist family. 18:52 They've come from new territories... 18:55 new people groups... 18:57 different cultures. 18:59 They've brought joy to heaven and strength to God's church. 19:03 We praise God for the 1,000s of new groups of believers 19:07 that have been planted 19:09 and yet, we're still here. 19:11 Mothers still sit and beg beside busy city streets. 19:15 Many still wake each morning in fear of the spirit world. 19:19 Millions in the 10/40 Window 19:21 have never even heard of the name "Jesus. " 19:24 Only one-third of the people on earth are Christian... 19:27 two-thirds follow other world religions 19:30 and a growing number claim no religion at all 19:33 and still there are cities of more than one million people 19:37 with no recorded visit by even one Seventh-day Adventist. 19:42 We so long for Jesus to come. 19:45 That's why Global Mission continues to focus 19:49 on unreached people in the 10/40 Window... 19:52 the cities... 19:54 in the secular postmodern west. 19:56 Global Mission sends out 1,000s of Global Mission pioneers 20:01 to start new groups of believers among the unreached. 20:04 That's why it supports Tentmakers 20:06 in the world's most challenging regions 20:09 and that's why Global Mission is helping to start 20:12 100s of Urban Centers of Influence 20:14 in cities across the globe. 20:16 Today, six Global Mission Centers 20:18 focus on the most effective ways 20:20 to share the good news with people 20:22 from non-Christian backgrounds. 20:24 These Centers find the best ways to build bridges 20:27 of understanding 20:29 and help prepare resource materials... methods and models. 20:32 Their goal is to remove barriers 20:34 that make it difficult for people to understand 20:37 and accept the gospel. 20:38 We praise God for the millions 20:41 who have found hope and peace in Jesus 20:43 since Global Mission began 20:45 but we need more Global Mission pioneers... 20:48 we need more Urban Centers of Influence... 20:51 and we need more prayer. 20:54 Thirty years ago, Adventist Church Leaders 20:58 cast a bold vision for mission. 21:00 That vision still burns strong to reach unreached people... 21:04 to reach teeming cities... 21:06 to reach those who feel no need of religion. 21:09 Today, we still need people to answer the call to mission... 21:14 to reach the unreached with hope... 21:16 to share the good news about Jesus. 21:19 We need people who will answer the call 21:22 that still echoes after 30 years... 21:24 we need people who will say, "I will go... " 21:29 Music... 21:37 Shelley: That's so exciting... 21:39 now, tell us how does somebody become 21:41 a Global Mission Pioneer? 21:44 Pause... 21:46 Gary: You know, the beauty of a Global Mission Pioneer, 21:49 Shelley, as you know is that 21:51 he or she usually comes from the local area 21:55 where they are working 21:57 so, they already know the language... 21:59 they know the culture... 22:00 they know the people 22:02 and they live at the same socio-economic level 22:04 as the people that they're trying to reach 22:06 and so, Global Mission Pioneers receive a small living stipend 22:11 but nobody gets rich as a Global Mission Pioneer. 22:14 It's a sacrificial position 22:16 and they are recruited by the local Divisions... 22:20 the local regional offices of the world church 22:24 and the local leaders find promising people... 22:27 usually younger people... often students... 22:30 people who are willing to say, 22:32 "Yeah, choose me and I'm willing to go for at least a year 22:36 or two years... three years... maybe five years to serve... 22:39 to start a new group of believers... " 22:41 so, they are recruited locally... 22:44 we don't sit in the offices in the General Conference 22:47 and choose the people... 22:48 they... they come from the ground... 22:50 the ground... the grassroots. 22:51 Shelley: And so, what we'd like to do is show... 22:54 we have several videos here 22:56 but they're kind of... 22:58 is it accurate to say a Global Mission Pioneer 23:02 is a Church Planter... would that be an equivalent? 23:07 Rick: Yes, Global Mission Pioneer is a Church Planter 23:12 working in those regions 23:13 but just one thing when they said earlier 23:17 that Global Mission Pioneers work where there are 23:20 very few Adventists, 23:22 it's also very true that generally 23:24 there are very few Christians in those regions. 23:26 Shelley: Yes... yes... makes it very difficult. 23:29 Well, let's look at a video called: Deep in the Valley... 23:33 this is in Malaysia. 23:36 Music... 23:45 Deep in the Malaysian jungle 23:47 a small village is tucked away in a beautiful valley. 23:50 To get here from the nearest city, 23:52 you have to drive for hours on treacherous terrain 23:55 and winding mountain roads. 23:56 Music... 24:02 During the rainy season, 24:03 flooding makes it nearly impossible 24:05 to drive in and out of this village. 24:07 Boats become the only means of travel. 24:10 The village sits next to a river 24:12 that is used for fishing and transportation year around. 24:15 Alvin is a Global Mission Pioneer 24:17 serving this remote village. 24:19 When he was young, 24:21 Alvin's family learned about Jesus for the first time 24:23 and became Adventists. 24:25 Since then, he knew he wanted to share 24:28 this special message with others 24:29 so, he became a pioneer. 24:31 Music... 24:36 When he first came to the village, 24:37 it reminded him of where he grew up. 24:39 The mountainous landscape felt like home. 24:42 There was already one Adventist family here, 24:45 but no church building to worship in 24:47 so, Alvin immediately began getting to know people 24:50 and spending time with them. 24:52 He assists them with their work 24:53 and teaches them basic English phrases. 24:56 He often prays with them before visiting others. 24:59 Music... 25:02 Alvin has a special place in his heart for the children. 25:05 He loves teaching them and doing fun activities together. 25:07 Marching and drilling is a popular activity 25:10 for children in the villages in this region. 25:13 Sometimes, children from surrounding villages 25:16 will come together to demonstrate 25:18 new marches they have learned. 25:19 Recently the children in Alvin's village 25:22 earned first place in a competition 25:24 between seven of the region's local schools. 25:26 They are thankful for everything Alvin has taught them. 25:29 Since Alvin began his ministry, 25:32 a small Adventist church has been built on the hill 25:36 overlooking the village. 25:37 He spends a lot of time here with the children and his family 25:40 teaching, singing and praying. 25:43 Song... 25:51 Now, multiple families in the village 25:52 are getting to know Jesus thanks to Alvin. 25:55 More than 20 people attend church on Sabbath 25:58 and the numbers keep growing. 26:00 Alvin asks that you say a special prayer for his village. 26:04 One thing I ask you to pray for 26:08 is the joy and happiness of the families in this village. 26:12 I would also like to ask that you pray for them 26:15 to always love one another 26:17 but above all, to love God. 26:19 Thank you for supporting the work 26:24 of Global Mission Pioneers like Alvin. 26:27 Music... 26:35 Shelley: So, we've got these Global Mission Pioneers 26:39 that are working all around the world 26:42 and would like to go now to our next video 26:45 which is a work that is going on in Cyprus 26:48 and it is entitled: Befriending a Shoe Shiner. 26:54 Yulian could barely feed himself from the money he earned 27:00 shining shoes. 27:02 He set up every day along a busy walking street 27:05 in Nicosia, Cyprus. 27:07 Most of his money went to buy cigarettes and alcohol. 27:11 A decade earlier, Yulian had immigrated to Cyprus 27:15 from Bulgaria to look for a job. 27:16 One day, Philip... a Global Mission Pioneer 27:20 also from Bulgaria walked by and greeted Yulian 27:24 asking if he needed any help. 27:26 Yulian was surprised... 27:29 no one had asked him such a question in a long time. 27:32 It was nice to hear someone talking an interest in him 27:35 and speaking his native language 27:37 but Yulian didn't answer the question 27:39 and just offered him a shoeshine. 27:42 While Yulian shined his shoes, 27:44 Philip told him that Jesus loves each one of us 27:48 no matter what situation we're in. 27:49 The mention of Jesus grabbed Yulian's attention. 27:53 The next day, Philip returned 27:56 and asked again if Yulian needed any help. 27:58 Yulian was surprised that the stranger had returned. 28:01 This time, Philip didn't need a shoeshine 28:04 so they just talked for awhile 28:06 and looked through the books that he brought. 28:08 This became a routine. 28:10 Sometimes, Philip read the Bible to Yulian 28:13 and eventually, the shoe shiner opened up 28:16 about how he'd worked in construction 28:18 after arriving with his family in Cyprus. 28:20 He lost his job and was kicked out of his home for drinking. 28:24 His family and friends had rejected him. 28:27 One day, Yulian led his new friend 28:30 to the abandoned building where he slept. 28:32 His bed was a hard floor. 28:34 The sight brought tears to Philip's eyes 28:37 and they prayed together on the street. 28:41 Yulian felt valued and felt God's love 28:44 through the Pioneer's actions. 28:46 It was at that point that he gave his life to God. 28:50 Although he'd drunk and smoked heavily for 35 years, 28:54 Yulian decided to give up alcohol and tobacco that day. 28:58 His family welcomed him back home 29:01 and now he tells everyone who will listen 29:03 about his love for God. 29:05 Philip regularly leads a Bulgarian-language Bible Study. 29:09 Over three years, eight people had been baptized 29:12 through Philip's work. 29:14 A significant number for a country 29:16 where the Adventist Church has only about 100 members 29:18 in a population of more than one million. 29:21 He often spends his time mingling with people... 29:24 getting to know them where they are. 29:27 Please pray for pioneers like Philip 29:29 who are sharing a message of hope with their communities. 29:32 Thank you for supporting Global Mission. 29:34 Music... 29:40 Shelley: Now, that's true ministry. 29:42 JD Quinn: It's absolutely amazing, 29:44 I mean, it gives a whole new definition of dedication. 29:46 Shelley: And... and it's the way Jesus ministered. 29:49 Rick, how many... do you get the opportunity 29:52 to meet some of these Global Mission Pioneers? 29:56 Rick: We do get an opportunity to meet some of these 30:00 Global Mission Pioneers. 30:01 In fact, we have a video that's coming up next from Kenya 30:05 where I was there and visited 30:08 and was there with the guys who were filming. 30:11 Just a little side story we got a flat tire on the way there 30:15 but that's all part of the adventure 30:16 of going out to the front lines of missions. 30:19 Shelley: Yeah, and it must be so inspiring... 30:22 I think this would be wonderful so let's look at this video 30:26 called: Living Water in Kenya. 30:28 Music... 30:34 For many of us 30:35 getting a drink of water is as simple as turning on the faucet, 30:38 but here in Northern Kenya, 30:40 getting water is a lot more work. 30:43 For most of the year rain is nothing more 30:46 than a distant memory. 30:47 In the dry months, streambeds dry up 30:50 and finding water becomes the challenge. 30:52 Digging under the sand like this is the only way 30:55 to get a simple drink around here. 30:57 Music... 31:15 Julius is a Global Mission Pioneer 31:17 working in this part of Kenya. 31:19 He came here to share the gospel message 31:21 with this remote group. 31:23 Through Christ's method, 31:24 Julius has developed real relationships with the villagers 31:27 and many of them have accepted Jesus into their hearts. 31:31 Sadly, these new believers don't have a church building 31:34 of their own to worship in. 31:35 They meet regularly inside this humble mud-walled building. 31:40 This space is a public facility owned by the area chief 31:44 and he allows them to gather here. 31:47 The villagers hope to have an Adventist Church building 31:50 someday. 31:52 They trust that God will provide for them 31:54 and are grateful for the temporary space 31:56 they worship in now. 31:58 This has been the location of countless Bible studies 32:00 prayer meetings and singing sessions. 32:02 Julius loves discussing new topics with the villagers 32:06 and they are eager to learn more. 32:07 Music... 32:11 Joseph and Peninnah are married 32:12 and they've been studying the Bible with Julius 32:14 for quite some time now. 32:16 They have committed their lives to Jesus 32:18 but haven't had the opportunity to be baptized yet. 32:21 Joseph and Peninnah have been waiting about a year 32:24 for enough rain to come to this area 32:26 so they can get baptized. 32:27 It is so dry that it isn't possible without a good rain. 32:31 Until then, they wait patiently 32:34 and continue studying and learning with Julius. 32:36 Despite the challenges, 32:39 God is doing amazing things in villages like this 32:42 through the work of Global Mission Pioneers. 32:45 Julius and other pioneers in Kenya 32:48 ask for your prayers. 32:49 Advancing the work can be difficult here 32:51 but God's faithful servants are eager to share His message. 32:55 Please pray for Pioneers around the globe 32:58 and consider how you can support them. 33:00 Thank you for supporting mission. 33:03 Music... 33:10 Shelley: I'll tell you, that makes us understand 33:12 how truly blessed we are 33:14 but what wonderful dedication these people have. 33:17 Gary, there's a question that I want to ask you 33:20 because I know in the 10/40 Window, 33:22 many of the governments either officially or unofficially 33:28 oppose any Christian work... 33:31 any access of Christianity in their country, 33:36 what do you do then? 33:37 Gary: Good question Shelley, 33:40 there are a number of things. 33:42 First of all, it's a whole lot easier 33:45 for someone who is actually living in the cultural context 33:51 to be a witness than for a western missionary, for example, 33:56 to come over into that country 33:58 because as you see often, 34:00 you can't even get a visa to come in there 34:02 so, local Global Mission Pioneers 34:05 working closely and sensitively 34:08 and doing it in a holistic way 34:11 so that they're actually contributing to the community 34:14 rather than just being seen as people coming in and preaching, 34:18 they can do some... some low-key work. 34:21 We also have what we call "Tentmakers" 34:25 and Tentmakers are people 34:27 who like the Apostle Paul have a trade... 34:30 they may have a profession 34:32 and so, they will go to a challenging area 34:36 where outright "witnessing" is not allowed 34:39 and they will go and they will find a job 34:42 as an Engineer or a Teacher or as a Nurse 34:44 or a Doctor et cetera, 34:46 and while they are there, 34:47 they will put Christ's method into practice 34:49 and they will be a witness in a quiet way as they can 34:53 and then we continue to pray that God will open up 34:56 opportunities for... for witness 34:58 and we see that happening in many places 35:01 where sometimes officially this is not allowed 35:06 but local government officials... 35:07 when they see the good 35:08 that a Global Mission Pioneer is doing, 35:11 they will allow them to do their work. 35:13 So, we see different avenues open up from time to time. 35:16 Shelley: Amen... that's... 35:18 it's an amazing thing to think about 35:20 people who do take this kind of risk to go and minister 35:25 but you have... there's a time... 35:28 Mike: Shelley, I'd... Shelley: Yes... 35:30 Mike: Shelley, I'd like to also, say 35:33 that we quickly recognize 35:36 that the entire Global Mission Program 35:39 is really a partnership... 35:42 you have certain people at the General Conference 35:45 that deal with research on these un-entered areas... 35:49 we have others that are developing materials... 35:51 you have people in the local area recruiting and training. 35:55 You have people watching this Program 35:57 that are impressed that they should support this effort 36:01 to take the three angel's message to the end of the world, 36:05 and they donate... provide resources... 36:08 but I think that we need to recognize 36:10 that the really heart in this is the Holy Spirit 36:14 because it seems impossible 36:18 when you look at these Global Mission Pioneers 36:21 many of them did not have Ph. D.s and other... 36:25 and you look and you say, "How are they going to do this?" 36:29 And I'll tell you... 36:30 it is though the power of the Holy Spirit 36:34 that 1,000s and 1,000s of new congregations 36:37 have been established 36:38 in some of the most difficult areas of the world. 36:41 Shelley: Well spoken and we can do nothing 36:46 without the Holy Spirit 36:47 that's something we all need to remember 36:50 and that's God's plan 36:51 because His plan is that we be totally depended upon Him. 36:55 Well, we have one of your videos I believe 36:58 this is from one of the veiled countries... 37:01 we won't give the name of this country 37:03 because this is closed access 37:06 but it is titled: Twenty Days of Torture. 37:11 Video... 37:18 I was tortured for 20 days... 37:21 they wanted me to reject Christianity 37:24 but I wouldn't do it. 37:26 I grew up looking for God, 37:29 I wasn't always a Christian... 37:32 I learned about Jesus from one of my neighbors 37:36 who shared the Bible with me. 37:37 In my country in the Middle East, 37:40 being a Christian is dangerous 37:43 but once I discovered the gospel, 37:45 there was no way I would ever give it up. 37:48 Somehow the government learned I was a Christian 37:53 and captured me. 37:55 They tortured me with hopes 37:57 that I would turn my back on Jesus 37:59 but God protected me from the pain 38:02 and I felt peace like I have never felt before. 38:05 I knew they planned to kill me eventually 38:08 so, I managed to escape and fled with my family 38:11 out of the country. 38:13 We live in another country now due to the turbulence at home. 38:17 My experience has led me to dedicate my life to God's work 38:21 and now, I am working as a Global Mission Pioneer... 38:25 building a new congregation of believers 38:28 in my city. 38:31 Music... 38:33 We meet for Bible Study and fellowship each weekend. 38:37 Sometimes we go to a local park 38:40 when we can't fit inside my home. 38:43 We always share a meal together. 38:45 Most of the people who come are refugees too. 38:49 We all have that in common 38:52 so we can relate to being in a new country 38:55 and we have formed good friendships with each other. 38:58 During the week, I teach Bible to people at my home every day. 39:04 Sometimes I even give lessons to people back in my home country 39:09 through online video chat. 39:11 God is blessing my work as a Global Mission Pioneer 39:16 and He's preparing people's hearts 39:18 to be transformed by Him. 39:20 He spared my life because I know He had plans for me 39:24 to share the gospel message with the people I meet here. 39:28 Pause... 39:31 Please pray for the Middle East. 39:33 Pray that the gospel can spread 39:35 throughout this challenging territory. 39:37 Thank you for supporting the work of Global Mission Pioneers 39:41 like me... so that we can teach others about Jesus. 39:45 Music... 39:51 Shelley: That's amazing. 39:53 JD Quinn: Mike, this is just absolutely amazing, 39:55 let me ask you this, Mike, 39:57 it must be very satisfying to see in 1990 40:01 just a project that the Holy Spirit puts on your heart 40:05 and then you just dedicate yourself along with your team 40:09 and then, 30 years later, we begin to see this type of fruit. 40:13 Pause... 40:19 Mike: Absolutely, it is tremendously satisfying 40:22 pause... 40:24 we just need to recognize again 40:29 it is not our clever planning... the Lord is in this 40:34 and I think that when we ask Him to bless it, 40:37 it's His work... not ours... 40:39 it goes forward. 40:40 Amen. 40:41 Shelley: You know, my thought was 40:43 as I was watching this last one 40:45 was how many people are reticent to give a... 40:51 here in the United States even, 40:52 they're reticent to give a Bible Study... 40:55 they don't feel prepared or adequate to give a Bible Study 40:59 because they aren't relying on the Holy Spirit 41:02 but to see people like this last gentleman 41:05 is something that is amazing to me. 41:08 So, let's talk about... 41:11 this is the Global Pioneer Mission work, 41:14 what about your Centers of Influence? 41:18 Kind of go into that a little. 41:20 Gary: Yes, Centers of Influence, Shelley, 41:24 is a concept that was raised by Ellen White, 41:27 Co-Founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 41:30 more than a 100 years ago 41:32 and she talked about Centers of Influence 41:36 in different context... 41:37 she talked about people being a Center of Influence... 41:40 she talked about Jesus being a Center of Influence... 41:43 in fact, she even talked about Satan 41:46 being a Center of Influence of negativity, of course, 41:48 but she also talked about cities being Centers of Influence 41:52 and she had this vision that in every city 41:56 throughout the world, 41:58 there would be small Centers of Influence 42:01 that would be platforms 42:03 for putting Christ's method of ministry into practice... 42:06 places that would be springboards 42:10 where we could mingle with people... show sympathy... 42:13 minister to their needs... 42:14 win their confidence and then bid them to follow... 42:17 follow Jesus... 42:19 and so, she talked about things such as Medical Treatment Rooms, 42:23 Lifestyle Health Centers... 42:25 Cafés... Restaurants... 42:28 various small institutions 42:31 that could help us connect with the needs of the community 42:35 in a holistic way, 42:36 so, she didn't see a vision of people coming in 42:40 and just preaching to the people... 42:42 she saw people like Jesus embedding themselves 42:46 in the urban community 42:47 and then showing the love of Jesus... 42:50 the compassion of Jesus 42:51 and reaching out to people in a holistic way 42:54 so... so when we have Centers of Influence, 42:57 that we support from the office of Global Mission... 43:01 we are looking at Centers in cities 43:04 that will minister to the needs of the community 43:08 but have a goal... and that is to start new spiritual groups... 43:13 new groups of believers out of these Centers 43:16 and these Centers can be... can be almost anything 43:21 as long as they're connecting with the needs of the community 43:24 it could be a Center that teaches English 43:26 as a Second Language... 43:28 it could be a Bicycle Shop... 43:30 it could be a Musical Store... 43:32 it could be a Second-hand Thrift Store... 43:36 it can be a Vegetarian Café... 43:37 it doesn't matter what it is 43:39 as long as it has that holistic goal 43:42 to put Christ's method of ministry into practice. 43:44 Shelley: You know when you think about it 43:46 in the 10/40 Window, 43:48 two-thirds of the world's population lives in that area 43:53 and they're Buddhists... they're Animists... 43:57 they're Hindu... they're Muslim... 44:00 so, it makes sense that you just can't walk in 44:04 and start preaching 44:05 because they're going to totally reject you 44:07 but if you can show them Jesus through your actions... 44:12 what a great concept... 44:14 so, let's look at one of the Centers of Influence, 44:19 I believe this is a secular Center of Influence in Albania 44:23 and you've brought a video called: Mission Changed Us. 44:28 Music... 44:36 A missionary family packs their bags 44:38 and prepared for new adventure in Albania. 44:41 God called Delmar, Natie and three-year-old Clara 44:46 to serve in the 10/40 Window. 44:47 Natie: We are both from Brazil... 44:49 I think God placed in our hearts 44:52 the desire to serve in a different place... 44:55 in a different environment... 44:57 in a place where we wouldn't be, like, comfortable... 45:00 something that will challenge both our ministries. 45:03 Delmar: And we realized very soon some of the challenge 45:06 that we would face preaching the gospel... 45:08 bringing the gospel here to this country. 45:10 Narrator: For years, Albania was a Communist territory 45:14 banning religion and declaring it the world's first 45:17 and only Atheist State. 45:18 Communism collapsed in 1990 45:21 but even today, religion doesn't seem to be a priority 45:24 for most people. 45:26 There are only about 120 Adventists 45:28 out of nearly three million people living in Albania. 45:31 Delmar, Natie, and Clara 45:34 are assigned to serve in the city of Korça 45:38 at the country's first Adventist church built-in 1994. 45:42 The first year was especially difficult. 45:44 Despite their efforts, there wasn't a single baptism 45:47 or anyone interested in Bible Studies. 45:50 Delmar: In the end of my first year, I was really discouraged 45:53 because I couldn't see anything really big happen in the church, 45:57 you know, I couldn't see anything really even changing 46:00 in the church. 46:01 We associate big things with good numbers... 46:05 big numbers... 46:06 so, in my first year, I was trying to do my best... 46:09 I was working a lot to do something big 46:11 or something important according to my understanding. 46:14 Narrator: At the peak Delmar's frustration, 46:16 he received a call to pastor a large church in Brazil. 46:20 This offer seemed to come at the perfect time 46:23 and he shared the exciting news with his wife. 46:26 Delmar: I came and talked to my wife, 46:28 "You know, we got a call to go back to Brazil... 46:30 what do you think? 46:32 We're not doing anything here anyway, 46:33 why we don't accept that and we just leave... 46:36 and that's it. " 46:37 She looked to me, she said, 46:39 "Do you think that we did everything that we could 46:42 here in Albania?" 46:43 "Do you... do you really think that it's time for us 46:46 to leave this place?" 46:47 She said, "I personally think that we should stay... 46:50 the Lord has something prepared for us here 46:53 and maybe He wants to teach us something here 46:56 and He still wants to use us. " 46:58 So, they declined the opportunity of Brazil 47:01 and prayed about how God could use them 47:03 in this challenging part of the world. 47:05 Delmar and Natie noticed that there were a lot of kids 47:09 in their neighborhood, 47:10 maybe this was a good place to start. 47:12 Delmar: And then we also realized 47:14 that Clara could be a good missionary for them 47:18 because every time that we were coming to our home 47:21 or leaving our home 47:23 and the kids... they saw Clara 47:25 so, they started saying, "Hey, Clara... Clara... 47:27 let's play... let's do this... let's do that. " 47:30 We prepared like a place to play volleyball 47:33 and then we said to them, "Come, let's play together... " 47:35 and this just happened naturally... 47:38 and the kids started coming to church 47:40 and they started coming every week to church... 47:42 like, two times a week playing volleyball... playing with us, 47:45 and in a few weeks, they knew me as a Pastor, 47:48 they knew Natie... they knew, very well, Clara, 47:50 and we were so excited because now, the church was full. 47:55 Narrator: They recruited help 47:56 in the form of two Adventist volunteers from Brazil, 47:59 and community volunteers. 48:01 One of the members, Angela, brought her friend, Fatiome, 48:05 to church with her every few months. 48:07 Delmar: Fatiome and I... we just connect as a friend 48:09 and we start talking about God... 48:12 we started studying the Bible together... 48:14 I invite him to be part of our group 48:16 and he just was excited... 48:19 he was really engaged with us 48:21 and he said, "You know, that's what I want, 48:24 I want to participate... 48:25 I want to help these kids... I want to serve this community" 48:27 and in just a few weeks, 48:30 he was already helping us with the kids 48:32 and the kids also loved him 48:34 all these activities just brought us together 48:38 and I have the privilege to baptize Fatiome 48:41 as my first baptism here in Albania 48:44 and I was so happy to see that the Lord was answering 48:49 to our prayers. 48:50 Narrator: The love of Jesus touched Fatiome's heart 48:53 and he now shares this with others. 48:56 Fatiome: When we follow this Jesus' methods 49:00 in other peoples in the community, 49:02 I pray for their hearts to get to warm 49:07 and to follow Jesus. 49:09 Narrator: This church has seen many new faces 49:13 in the past few months. 49:14 Church members are connecting with the community 49:16 through a Global Mission Urban Center of Influence. 49:19 Natie uses her gift of music to teach classes to the kids. 49:24 They love learning to play the violin. 49:27 The Center also offers language courses and a health club 49:31 with plans to branch out with more programs. 49:34 Natie: So, when you try something new 49:36 and then you see that it's working... 49:38 it already give you, like, more hope 49:41 and then this also gave us motivation 49:44 to try different things not just... not one approach. 49:48 Narrator: Please pray for this ministry 49:50 as it continues to grow and integrate into the community 49:53 and pray for missionary families like Delmar, Natie and Clara 49:57 who are serving on the front lines of mission. 50:00 Delmar: When we were called to come as a missionary, 50:02 I thought that I was ready to change the world 50:06 but it took, maybe, one year 50:09 to realize that before I do anything, 50:11 the Lord was trying to change me. 50:14 Narrator: Thank you for supporting the mission 50:17 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 50:20 Natie: Okay, so, do you like Albania? 50:23 Clara: Yes. 50:27 Music... 50:32 Shelley: That is exciting to think that something 50:38 as simple as volley ball game can be this... the seed 50:43 or touch the nerve in someone's heart. 50:45 Now, the reality is that this particular video right here 50:50 touches many people's hearts 50:51 because they wonder what can they do 50:54 to make a different in people's lives... 50:56 I had a call today with Dave 50:58 and he was saying, "How can I be used? 51:00 Where do I need to go?" 51:02 It was kind of like, he wanted to be struck with lightning 51:05 to catch his attention. 51:07 I said, "Well, maybe if you just turn around 51:09 and allow the Lord to use you where you are... " 51:11 and that's exactly what happened there. 51:13 What a... I mean, this is very, very touching... these videos, 51:17 Rick... 51:19 Shelley: And so, Rick, this is your Department, right? 51:22 As the Communications Director for Global... 51:24 or Adventist Mission... is this your Department that... 51:28 Rick: This is what we do is... produce these videos 51:31 and I just want to say about that particular video 51:34 that, you know, sometimes I think, 51:36 people think... Mission is easy 51:37 or they think Mission should be done one specific way... 51:41 and yet, when you look at what they're doing here... 51:44 we had somebody write to our office and say, 51:46 "Why am I... you know, 51:48 I don't want my money to support people to play soccer 51:51 or volleyball... " 51:52 and yet, that is one of the best ways 51:55 to start engaging with people 51:57 and getting to know them where you can share 52:00 where they may not have been open before. 52:02 If you don't mind though I'd like to go to the next video 52:06 which is... well I guess we're coming into a break soon 52:10 so, yeah... maybe we'll wait after the first hour? 52:14 Shelley: Yeah, let's wait till we have our break 52:17 and come back but let me ask you this, 52:19 "How many Centers of Influence... 52:22 do you have an estimate of how many Centers of Influence 52:24 you have set up?" 52:26 Rick: Well, Gary, you can go ahead. 52:29 Gary: I'm aware of several hundreds Centers of Influence 52:34 around the world. 52:35 Now, not all of them have been funded from our office 52:39 and my favorite ones are the ones that we did not fund 52:43 because local people have caught the initiative themselves 52:50 and seen the vision and they've set it up 52:52 and said, "This is important enough... 52:54 we're going to do it... " 52:56 and so, that's very encouraging for me to see that happening. 52:59 I know one Center in Bulgaria... a wonderful Café... 53:03 they had never even heard of the concept "Center of Influence" 53:07 but they had heard of Christ's method of ministry 53:10 and they set up this Café themselves 53:12 and after they started doing it... 53:15 then they learned about the concept... 53:17 "Centers of Influence. " 53:18 Shelley: And you know that it is Christ's method of ministry 53:22 indeed because that's what He did... 53:24 was... went among the people and met their needs... 53:27 made friends and showed Himself friendly. 53:30 Why don't you tell people once again 53:33 you know, this is a live Program 53:36 and if you would like to either send in a prayer request, 53:40 we might not get to them all tonight 53:42 but the Pastoral Department will go over those 53:45 every day next week. 53:47 We'll pray for them each and every day next week 53:49 and you may have a specific question, 53:52 perhaps for Rick, Gary, or Mike 53:56 and if that's the case, you can text us 53:58 at 618-228-3975 54:04 now, those that are interested in texting... 54:07 there's a lot of texters out there: 618-228-3975 54:13 or you may want to e-mail us at: live@3abn. tv 54:18 once again, that's: live@3abn. tv 54:22 We love hearing from you and we'll take care of it, 54:26 I'm sure these gentlemen right here... 54:28 now... I... go back to Mike... 54:31 I mean, obviously lots have happened in 30 years 54:37 but it just has to... it has to just make you feel 54:42 very good about seeing how Jesus is working. 54:46 This has nothing to do with Mike... 54:48 I has nothing to do with Gary or Rick... 54:50 it has nothing to do with us, 54:51 it's the power of the Holy Spirit that comes in... 54:53 that opens up these avenues. 54:56 What you're looking for is that 54:58 you're looking for those new groups of believers 55:01 who are willing to step out of their comfort zone 55:03 and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives 55:06 and see the miracles that follow. 55:08 I'm assuming that that's right... 55:11 I know that in our world that's the way it is. 55:14 Shelley: Amen... amen and amen 55:16 and you know what I would like to do 55:18 because are just coming to the close... 55:21 to the top of the hour... 55:22 and you may not be able to stay with us 55:25 for the second hour 55:26 so, I wanted to give you an opportunity 55:29 to know how you can support Global Missions. 55:33 You can call 3ABN and that number is: 55:37 618-627-4651 55:44 and you can donate over the phone 55:47 we have... just make sure we know it's for Global Mission... 55:51 we have a fund set up for them 55:55 and I just have to remind us all 55:59 the great commission applies to every Christian. 56:03 Jesus said, 56:05 "Come, follow me... " 56:08 we come to the foot of the cross... 56:10 we commit and submit our life to Him 56:13 but then, He gives us this commission of "Go... " 56:18 and not everybody can go 56:21 but we can either be those who are sending out those "Goers" 56:27 and "Doers... " 56:30 sending those people out 56:32 or we can go ourself 56:34 but it is so important because Paul said, 56:37 "How beautiful are the feet... " 56:40 actually, it came from... where? Isaiah... 56:42 my mind is blank right now... 56:44 Cameraman: Isaiah. 56:45 Shelley: Isaiah... that's what I thought. 56:47 "How beautiful are the feet of those who carry the gospel" 56:52 but how can somebody believe if they don't hear? 56:56 How can anyone know that Jesus Christ 57:02 is the Savior of the world 57:03 if they've never even heard His name 57:06 and all are sinners... 57:08 all are condemned 57:09 unless they understand the grace of God. 57:13 Well, we are just coming right up on top of that 57:16 but let me give you that number one more time, 57:22 if you want to support, you can call: 618-627-4651 57:27 and we will make sure that you tell us 57:31 it's for Global Mission. 57:32 Well, stay tuned because 57:34 we've got the second hour coming up live 57:36 with lots more wonderful inspirational stories. 57:41 Music... |
Revised 2020-12-07