Participants:
Series Code: TDYL
Program Code: TDYL200035B
|
00:01 Music...
00:11 Shelley: Hello and welcome back 00:13 or welcome to 3ABN Live 00:16 and this is a live Program. JD Quinn: Live Program. 00:20 Shelley: We're taking prayer requests. 00:21 JD Quinn: Yes we are. 00:23 Shelley: We're taking questions for our guests... 00:24 JD Quinn: Yes we are. 00:25 Shelley: Can you give us that information? 00:27 JD Quinn: I certainly can. 00:28 If you want to text... 00:30 I know as time goes by 00:31 we find out there's more Texters all the time. 00:33 You can send in your prayer requests by text 00:36 of if you've got a question for our precious gentlemen, 00:40 you'll be meeting here in a little bit, 00:41 Gary, Rick and Mike, 00:43 and that telephone number for texting is: 618-228-3975 00:51 you'll see it on the screen, 00:54 or you can e-mail us at: 00:56 live@3abn. tv 00:59 so, as you see what's on the TV... 01:01 if your heart is being touched... 01:03 communicate with us... 01:04 Shelley: Amen... amen... 01:06 you know we began the first hour by talking about 01:08 God's heart beats for Missions... 01:13 He wants to reach the unreached 01:17 and our guests tonight are with Adventist Mission 01:22 specifically, we're talking about Global Mission tonight, 01:25 but let me introduce our guests again, 01:28 we'll put their pictures... they're joining us remotely 01:31 we have Gary Krause who is the Director 01:34 of Adventist Mission for the General Conference 01:37 of Seventh-day Adventists 01:39 and then we have Mike Ryan 01:42 who is the Assistant to the General Conference President 01:46 and Rick Kajiure who is the Communications Director 01:50 for Adventist Mission at the General Conference. 01:55 Mike, you were with Global Mission for how long? 02:00 Pause... 02:04 Mike: Well, I actually was the Director, I think about 12 years 02:08 and then after that 02:11 they promoted me to become a Vice President 02:14 and I did that for 12 years 02:16 but once you've worked for Global Mission, 02:19 you're always a Global Mission person. 02:22 All: Amen. 02:23 Shelley: Amen, well that... 02:24 it is the response to Christ's call 02:27 in Matthew 28. 02:30 So, we are talking about... 02:33 but do we want to do a song real quick? 02:35 JD Quinn: Let's do a song because I... I love... 02:38 Shelley: You like Paolo. JD Quinn: Paolo Torres. 02:40 Shelley: He likes Paolo. 02:42 JD Quinn: And he plays the violin... 02:43 he's going to be accompanied by ET Everett 02:45 and they're going to be playing: Amazing Grace. 02:49 Pause... 02:52 Piano... 03:03 Amazing grace, 03:08 how sweet the sound 03:14 That saved a wretch 03:19 like me. 03:24 I once was lost, 03:30 but now I am found, 03:35 Was blind, 03:38 but now I see. 03:46 Piano... 03:51 'Twas grace that taught 03:56 my heart to fear, 04:01 And grace my fears 04:07 relieved... 04:12 How precious 04:17 did that grace appear 04:23 The hour I first 04:28 believed. 04:33 Through many dangers, 04:39 toils and snares 04:44 I have already 04:49 come... 04:54 'Tis grace has brought 04:59 me safe thus far 05:04 And grace will lead 05:10 me 05:16 home. 05:23 Shelley: How beautiful that was. 05:26 JD Quinn: Oh, I wish I could do that... 05:28 Shelley: Me too. JD Quinn: Someday. 05:29 Shelley: We all when we get to heaven, right. 05:31 JD Quinn: Amen. 05:33 Shelley: Well, we've been talking about 05:34 the great commission 05:36 about Jesus asking all of us to go and make disciples 05:40 but you know the great commandment 05:43 is that we would love the Lord our God 05:45 with all of our heart... with all of our soul 05:47 with all of our mind and all of our strength 05:50 and love our neighbor as ourself 05:52 and Jesus said, "It is on this... 05:55 these two commandments 05:57 that all of the law and the prophets hang. 06:00 So, when we think about loving God 06:04 with all of our heart... 06:05 if we love Him... we're going to walk in obedience 06:08 and we are going to look at this great commission 06:12 and take it seriously if we love our neighbors... 06:16 we will want people to be saved 06:18 and what I love about Global Mission 06:21 is that they are reaching the unreached 06:25 in areas where people... many people... 06:28 most of the people 06:30 have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. 06:33 So, in the last hour we were talking about 06:36 Centers of Influence 06:38 and I think what we'd like to do to kick off this hour 06:42 is once again talk about... 06:44 Rick, why don't you tell us about this one in Canada, 06:48 it's called: A Vision of Hope. 06:51 Rick: Yeah, so you talked about the 10/40 Window 06:55 and there are tremendous challenges out there 06:59 but sometimes there are challenges right in front of us 07:01 and Canada is my home country, 07:03 that's why I'm interested in this story 07:05 but, you know, 07:07 sometimes there are people who have special needs 07:09 and... and we need to be able to reach out to them 07:12 because sometimes they're not being reached by the ways 07:14 that most people are doing mission 07:17 and so, let's go to a story called: A Vision of Hope. 07:21 Shelley: Amen, A Vision of Hope. 07:24 Music... 07:40 Neena does what most dog owners do... 07:43 she takes her dog out for a walk every day 07:46 to enjoy the outside air 07:47 but things are a little different for Neena. 07:50 She relies on Fargo to get her out the door 07:53 and around the neighborhood safely. 07:55 He's her guide dog helping Neena navigate the streets. 07:59 Neena and her husband, Kevin, are both blind 08:03 living in a Toronto high-rise apartment building. 08:06 This Canadian couple lives in many ways 08:09 just like anyone else would. 08:11 They cook... clean... and do household tasks. 08:14 Neena runs an online business 08:16 selling hand-made knitted clothing, 08:18 home-made soaps and other accessories. 08:21 Each of these things are an artistic outlet for me, 08:25 I do the store because I like to have fun with crafts. 08:29 Neena and Kevin met at Camp Frienda... 08:32 and Adventist Summer Camp that opens its doors 08:34 to the blind community for one week each year. 08:37 It was sponsored by Christian Record Services at the time. 08:40 Neena and Kevin's love for Jesus grew 08:43 and they both were baptized. 08:45 During the same time, they fell in love 08:48 and eventually got married. 08:49 Despite becoming part of a church family, 08:52 the reality of their daily challenges still exists. 08:55 I think a lot of people just don't know how to relate to us, 08:58 a lot of people are afraid to even talk to us 09:00 and so, sometimes they just don't know how to approach us 09:04 as people 09:05 and a lot of times we feel left out. 09:08 In 2007, they were part of the founding team 09:11 to start a new Adventist Congregation 09:13 with the Ontario Conference. 09:15 They rented a Conference Room at a local hotel in Scarborough 09:19 a suburb of Toronto 09:20 and began meeting once a month. 09:22 This gathering came to be known as: Hope Vision Fellowship 09:26 and was designed to welcome the blind community. 09:29 Momentum built over the years and they formed a core group 09:33 with new visitors coming through the doors regularly. 09:36 There's a lot of hopelessness throughout the blind community. 09:41 I like the name of our church: Hope Vision Fellowship 09:45 and that's basically what we are... 09:47 we hope and we do have a vision... 09:49 and our vision is to see blind people get saved 09:52 and the blind people come to know Jesus Christ 09:55 and find healing and hope through this wonderful grace. 09:59 In 2016, Global Mission helped to support this group 10:03 and that same year, Hope Vision Fellowship 10:06 was recognized as the first Adventist Church 10:09 for the visually impaired in the North American Division. 10:12 Since then, they've started meeting 10:14 in their own church building 10:15 opening the door for more possibilities. 10:18 Members like Kevin and Neena are actively involved 10:21 in sharing Jesus' love with the blind community. 10:24 Neena: There are a lot of blind people 10:26 that really need this hope 10:28 and they need... they need this nice time 10:30 away from their stuff that they deal with every day 10:33 and they need sort of a slight refuge 10:36 that's my heart where I want to make people 10:39 help them feel that way... like they matter. 10:42 Narrator: Most of the people who attend are not Adventist 10:45 but come because they feel safe here... 10:47 they come from different religions 10:49 and socio-economic backgrounds. 10:51 This congregation is not just focused 10:54 on meeting the spiritual needs of its community. 10:57 They also are aware of the physical needs. 10:59 Pat, one of the founding members, 11:02 makes sure that people are well taken care of 11:05 by creating food-care packages for people to take home. 11:08 Pat: As most of them 11:10 can't afford some of the basic necessities of life 11:14 let alone a little bit extra... 11:16 and some of them have to rely on Food Banks anyway, 11:19 so, this is one of our reaches as well. 11:22 Narrator: I mean, this is sometimes the only way 11:24 of getting their food. 11:25 Knowing some of the stories of some of the ones going to 11:28 actual Food Banks, 11:30 they get pushed to the back... they can't see... 11:33 they don't know what they are 11:34 and the one time I was helping a girl clean up her cupboard... 11:39 she had 25 cans of expired spaghetti sauce 11:44 and no spaghetti... 11:47 so, this is just helping. 11:49 Narrator: Thanks to your prayers 11:52 and contribution to Global Mission 11:54 churches like this are planted in new areas 11:57 and among unreached people groups. 11:58 Kevin: I want to thank God from the bottom of my heart 12:01 for the Adventist Church. 12:03 It was through the Adventist Church 12:06 that I found Jesus... 12:08 it was through the Adventist Church 12:10 that I had experienced His love 12:12 and it's through the Adventist Church's help 12:15 that I am the man that I am today. 12:18 Thank you for supporting Global Mission. 12:20 Music... 12:30 JD Quinn: Hmmm... 12:32 Shelley: What an inspiring story. 12:34 We saw in the first hour, Global Mission... 12:37 the Adventist Missions... has been... 12:41 they're celebrating 30 years... 12:44 what he said, it was an anniversary... 12:47 Gary, how did you say that? 12:49 It's a 30-year anniversary 12:51 but you're not celebrating... explain it. 12:53 Gary: Yeah, you got it, Shelley, you got it. 12:55 We're thankful for the good things that have happened 12:59 but there's still a big challenge in front of us. 13:03 Shelley: And you're not celebrating 13:05 because Jesus hasn't returned yet... 13:08 Is that what you said before? 13:10 So, we saw in the first hour that your Mission Pioneers... 13:15 the Global Mission Pioneers often do church planting 13:19 now we're seeing in this particular video, 13:22 we saw that people who are running a Center of Influence... 13:27 it's also resulting in Church plants. 13:30 Rick: Yeah. Gary: Exactly... 13:35 Rick: Sorry, if I can just say something, 13:37 yeah, that's true... 13:38 and this one was a church plant 13:40 not necessarily tied to a Center of Influence... 13:42 we also support church planting in certain areas 13:44 but I reached out to this group because I said, 13:47 "What is happening during the COVID times... 13:50 what's happened with your church?" 13:52 And they said, "Oh, they're still meeting... " 13:54 but they're meeting by Zoom. 13:55 They can operate their computers 13:57 and they can meet by Zoom 13:59 and they're planning a Christmas Party soon, 14:00 so, they're still being active 14:02 even though, you know, we have a pandemic going on. 14:04 JD Quinn: Amen... amen. Shelley: That's incredible. 14:08 So, let's talk about what's going on in Bulgaria. 14:11 Gary: Yes, so, this is moving on 14:14 to the Center of Influence again, 14:16 Shelly, and as we said in the first hour... 14:20 a Center of Influence is a platform 14:23 in an urban area 14:25 to put Christ's method of ministry into practice 14:28 and we have an example in this video 14:32 of one avenue of service in a community. 14:34 There's a million ways you can do it 14:37 but you have to meet the needs of the community where you are. 14:40 JD Quinn: Amen. 14:41 Shelley: Amen, so let's see then, 14:43 this is called: Bulgarian Friendship Bread... 14:46 I like that title. 14:48 Pause... 14:49 Narrator: In the still dark and early morning, 14:52 flour and water meet... 14:54 they rise with yeast 14:56 and are shoved in an oven to be transformed by heat. 14:59 Music... 15:04 The aroma fills the air 15:05 sending an irresistible invitation 15:08 to mouth-watering delights. 15:09 One by one, people come to order... 15:13 to socialize... 15:14 and laugh. 15:15 Every day, people of all ages and different ethnicities 15:19 line up at this bakery eager to savor delicious bread. 15:23 Music... 15:31 Making bread takes time and patience... 15:34 it takes loving hands to mix ingredients 15:37 and press them together until the dough is ready 15:40 to rise and grow. 15:41 So, it is with people... 15:43 it takes time and patience to cultivate trust and friendship, 15:48 to warm their lives and invite them to follow Jesus. 15:52 At the Tripaisia Global Mission Urban Center of Influence 15:56 in Bulgaria, 15:57 staff members offer visitors more than food. 16:00 Here, people find room to interact 16:02 and participate in a variety of courses 16:05 and activities. 16:06 As they make new friends, 16:08 visitors are invited to become volunteers themselves. 16:11 This way, they can give back and help others too. 16:15 Dimitur is a regular volunteer who found purpose in Tripaisia 16:22 by tutoring Math. 16:24 Dimitur: There are good people here 16:27 and I developed good relationships 16:29 with different people 16:31 so, I want to give my best to others. 16:33 I feel a strong desire to learn more about God and the Bible. 16:37 I have this idea that I have to help 16:40 and if I can, I'm going to do it. 16:43 I am not a Math teacher... I'm an Engineer 16:46 but here, I help kids with Math. 16:48 Narrator: Dimitur travels 10 kilometers every day 16:52 sometimes he comes on foot. 16:54 He started as a customer... then he became a volunteer 16:57 and now, he's a baptized Seventh-day Adventist. 17:00 Like Dimitur, many people who come to Tripaisia 17:03 find the bread of life. 17:05 The owners of Tripaisia 17:07 have seen how Centers of Influence like this 17:10 can work as a platform to engage the community 17:14 and form friendships. 17:15 Christo: God gave us this place to keep us close to people 17:19 God showed us that we needed a place 17:21 where people felt accepted in a home... 17:24 that's why we established the bakery 17:26 because it smells like home. 17:27 In Bulgaria, people eat a lot of bread. 17:30 This is how Christ worked. 17:31 He was close to people... 17:33 He offered them the bread of life, 17:35 He healed them and took care of them 17:37 and we want to do the same. 17:39 The leaders at Tripaisia invite you to pray 17:42 for this growing group of new believers. 17:45 Please pray for this Urban Center of Influence 17:47 and many others around the world 17:49 that find creative ways to introduce people to Jesus. 17:53 Thank you for supporting Urban Centers of Influence 17:56 through Global Mission. 17:58 Music... 18:04 Shelley: You know Gary, something that you said earlier 18:08 this... this was just really struck my heart 18:12 because you mentioned earlier 18:14 that sometimes people think 18:16 we ought to always do things in the same way 18:19 and we will often here in the United States 18:23 we will have Evangelistic Series 18:26 and maybe, we have a good turnout 18:29 but they don't... 18:32 when people come in for an evangelism series, 18:35 they don't always get the support... 18:37 the community support they need... 18:40 and sometimes they're in... and a year later, they're out 18:44 but I would imagine that you have a very high retention rate 18:48 through the Centers of Influence because 18:51 you're giving them a sense of community 18:54 just as you did with the blind. 18:56 Gary: There is no better way to ensure discipleship 19:03 and retention of new members 19:05 than to put Christ's method of ministry into practice. 19:08 Shelley: Amen. 19:09 Gary: Because they're coming to a relationship with Jesus, 19:12 not just through a head knowledge of 19:14 just consenting to some certain doctrines... 19:17 they've actually become bonded to Jesus holistically, 19:21 emotionally from their hearts 19:23 as well as their heads 19:24 and socially they're connected to other believers 19:28 and so, that's very important, Shelley... 19:29 you've hit the nail on the head 19:31 and the other aspect of this too is that 19:35 often, in our outreach we expect people 19:38 to come to us 19:39 so, we run programs in the church 19:43 and we have events 19:44 and these are all wonderful things 19:46 and I... I don't want to speak negatively of them 19:48 but I think more important 19:50 is for us to actually leave the church pews 19:54 and find ways to connect with the community 19:57 to go to where they are 19:59 rather than expecting them to come to where we are. 20:02 Shelley: I think that's well put 20:04 I mean, I think that's Friendship Evangelism... 20:07 meeting the needs of the community... et cetera, 20:09 well, you've got one here that 20:11 you know, as you can tell if you're watching from home 20:14 that we've got a list of videos here... 20:17 they're all such great stories. 20:19 JD Quinn: And what I also like about it Shelley is that 20:21 we're all over the place here, 20:23 Malaysia, Cyprus, Kenya, Albania, Canada, Bulgaria, 20:28 and so on and so... 20:29 this is... this is actually fantastic. 20:32 Shelley: And we're seeing that the way that Jesus ministered 20:37 is the way to really reach people 20:39 but I can't wait to see this one... 20:41 it's in Georgia... and we're not talking Deep South Georgia 20:45 and it's called: Potatoes and Porcupines. 20:48 Music... 20:56 Narrator: How do you turn a potato into a porcupine? 20:59 That's exactly what children in the country of Georgia 21:02 are learning today in their English Class. 21:04 This is their second lesson about fruits and vegetables. 21:07 They're learning the names of common vegetables 21:09 as they transform them into animals 21:12 and modes of transportation. 21:13 Ginta, their teacher, uses interactive teaching methods 21:17 to keep them engaged 21:19 and even includes their parents in the action. 21:21 They're studying a variety of topics 21:26 ranging from numbers to colors. 21:28 We just enjoy even if somebody don't know something, 21:32 we just show the color and remind them how to... 21:36 how to pronounce it correctly 21:38 and they... they just enjoy it. 21:41 Originally from Latvia, Ginta came to Georgia 21:44 to spend a year volunteering 21:46 at this Global Mission Urban Center of Influence. 21:49 She started a hands-on English class for children 21:51 and she's very proud of her student's creations. 21:54 Ginta: Maybe I can show something 21:56 like this... see... 22:03 from one of the lessons when we learn about animals... 22:07 we made butterflies like this 22:10 and previous lesson follows up... 22:14 and previous lesson, when we learned something 22:20 like fruits and vegetables, 22:22 we made just stamps for lemon and pepper like this... 22:30 Narrator: But living in a different culture 22:33 can bring certain challenges and adjustments. 22:37 Ginta: It's very hard for me, you know, 22:40 you are from other country 22:42 and they don't know you 22:43 they in the beginning start watching what I'm doing... 22:46 how I'm doing 22:48 but now they start to be like friends for me 22:50 and today even a few said, "Teacher, we love you... " 22:54 it's really nice 22:55 and parents... it's the same for them 22:58 in the beginning it was very like, distance 23:01 and afterwards nice to talk to 23:03 yeah, I guess we're starting to just... 23:06 Narrator: Ginta has gotten to know the students 23:08 through these programs 23:10 and finds it easier to share a hopeful message 23:12 when a relationship has been established. 23:14 Ginta: Not just be a teacher but be like friends for them 23:19 and really hope there will be a possibility 23:22 to tell them more about Jesus 23:25 and somebody who really loves them. 23:27 Narrator: Fifteen-year old Simon 23:30 has been coming to Ginta's English classes 23:32 over the last few months. 23:33 After many questions and conversations, 23:36 Simon is eager to study the Bible and the Adventist Message. 23:40 Simon: I'm interested in Christ's second coming... 23:43 I'm going through the Bible Lessons 23:47 in preparation for baptism. 23:49 My life has changed. 23:51 Narrator: Through these programs, 23:54 about 15 to 20 people in this town 23:56 started Bible Studies with Gocha 23:59 a Global Mission Pioneer 24:00 and a small group meets each Sabbath. 24:03 Ginta is encouraged to share the love of Jesus 24:07 with the community 24:08 through English classes despite the challenges. 24:11 Please pray for Ginta as she develops friendships 24:15 with students and parents in Georgia. 24:17 Thank you for your continued support 24:19 of Global Mission Projects like these. 24:22 Music... 24:28 Shelley: You know, this is so inspiring 24:31 just because it's going on in areas 24:33 where people don't know Jesus, 24:35 we could take some of these very same ideas 24:37 and do them in our own community 24:40 because this is a beautiful thing 24:42 and children love crafts and they get involved... 24:47 if you reach the hearts of children, 24:49 you're going to be able to reach the hearts of parents, right? 24:53 So, Gary, tell me one thing... 24:55 it occurred to me how do you... 24:57 you said that if someone is a Global Mission Pioneer, 25:01 it is a sacrificial thing, really, 25:05 you only pay them a small stipend... 25:08 do you also help support these... 25:11 the Centers of Influence? 25:14 What is the support like to start one of those? 25:17 Gary: Yes, with the Center of Influence, 25:21 they put together a proposal which comes from the local field 25:24 it then has to be approved 25:26 by the various levels of the Adventist Church 25:29 and each level needs to contribute something financially 25:33 toward the project 25:36 so that it's not just a project owned 25:38 by the Adventist World Headquarters, 25:40 but it's something that we're all invested in 25:43 so that we're all making a contribution to it... 25:46 we own it together and so, 25:48 a plan needs to be for the first three years 25:53 this is what we're going to do... 25:54 this is what we're going to do 25:55 to try to make it self-sustaining 25:58 over a period of time... 25:59 this is the way that we're hoping to generate some income 26:03 and this is how we are going to put a plan together 26:06 to meet the needs of the community... 26:08 put Christ's method of ministry into practice 26:11 and start new groups of believers. 26:13 Shelley: Absolutely, how exciting! 26:16 Well, so, when you have these Centers of Influence... 26:21 so it's... they're all over... 26:24 we mostly have people who are from the communities 26:28 who speak the language 26:30 but tell us what's going on in Cambodia, please, Rick. 26:35 Pause... 26:37 Rick: So, Cambodia is an interesting one 26:40 because this is not really a Global Mission project... 26:45 it's a Center of Influence 26:46 and it's run by an Australian who's in Cambodia 26:49 but he is so dedicated that he started this whole ministry 26:53 but he's left all the properties and things to the Church 26:56 but he has started a Butterfly Garden down there 27:00 as an... as an outreach. 27:01 Shelley: And... and so now we've got a little video of him... 27:06 we'll see another inspiring story: Butterfly Paradise. 27:11 Pause... 27:13 Narrator: Tim made some bold and radical decisions in his life. 27:16 He quit his job... 27:17 moved to a foreign country with his family 27:19 and invested their money in starting a ministry 27:22 leaving their lives in Australia behind. 27:25 Tim and his family purchased a piece of land 27:27 in Siem Reap, Cambodia 27:29 wanting to establish a place of hope 27:31 and healing for the community. 27:33 They started a school to help kids from poor families. 27:36 They also organized programs to help families earn an income. 27:40 Aside from helping families, 27:42 Tim built small houses within their property 27:44 to serve as a shelter for young men and women 27:47 who don't have a place to stay 27:48 or those without family. 27:50 Prayer has been a vital part of Tim's daily activities. 27:54 After living in Cambodia for many years, 27:57 he prayed for a new unique way to introduce people to God. 28:01 After months of earnest prayers, God answered Tim's petitions 28:05 and helped him establish a butterfly farm 28:08 that was available to the community and tourists as well. 28:12 Tim: Butterfly Paradise is about helping visitors... 28:16 local and international... 28:17 experience the beauty and design in nature 28:22 and therefore, come to see the need for a Designer 28:26 and we want them to see that that Designer is God... 28:29 the God of Genesis chapter 1 who created all things 28:33 in six days. 28:35 Narrator: The beauty of nature is a unique way 28:37 to attract visitors 28:38 and introduce the topic of creation. 28:41 The Butterfly Paradise allows people 28:43 to gain a deeper understanding of God's wonderful creation. 28:46 Tim: And so, when they come here, 28:49 then, we will be seeking to draw them to God. 28:54 We have a Cinema here 28:55 and as they come into the air-conditioned Cinema 28:58 and get out of the heat, 28:59 then they will be introduced to the thing with design in nature 29:04 and God as Designer. 29:05 We have a vegetarian restaurant 29:07 and we hope to use the vegetarian restaurant 29:10 there as a way of helping people see 29:13 that their Designer had a particular diet in mind 29:17 so they could maintain good health. 29:19 Then we have an educational area 29:21 where people can learn about the life cycle of the butterfly. 29:24 They realize the complexity the life of the butterfly 29:28 and that again, there's a Designer involved. 29:31 Narrator: The final stop is at the Souvenir Shop. 29:34 Here, guests can bring home memories 29:36 of their unique experience in nature. 29:38 The funds from the shop help to run the operations 29:41 but not everything has a price tag. 29:44 There is free literature to take too. 29:46 The Butterfly Paradise is not only reaching out to the public 29:50 but it also reaches in to every staff member. 29:53 They may find a deeper understanding of the Bible 29:56 and a purpose to serve other people. 29:58 Butterfly Paradise is staffed with young people 30:01 that have come through our orphanage 30:03 and come through our school 30:05 and so, these young people did learn about Jesus 30:08 in the orphanage... in the school... 30:10 and so, we're giving them an environment 30:12 where they can continue to grow in Christ... 30:14 where they can have Sabbath off... 30:16 and where they actually get to share 30:18 their love for God with other people 30:21 and so, as they go through this experience, 30:25 their own salvation is strengthened and renewed daily. 30:28 Narrator: Soraya came from a poor family. 30:31 Tim enrolled her in their school. 30:33 At this Institution, she learned about the Bible 30:37 and was drawn closer to Christ. 30:38 Then, she accepted Christ into her heart 30:41 and was baptized. 30:43 Soraya: I have learned so many thing from this place. 30:47 I have education... 30:49 how to cook... 30:51 how to mingle with people... 30:54 and how to do evangelism... give the Bible Study... 30:59 and now I have a job and I have a family 31:04 and thank God for this place. 31:06 Narrator: Please pray for Tim and the Butterfly Paradise. 31:09 This supporting ministry is s positive influence 31:13 in the city of Siem Reap. 31:14 Please pray that more young people will get the chance 31:17 to have a good education 31:18 and a deeper understanding of their purpose. 31:23 Music... 31:32 Shelley: Oh, that is... it's just... 31:35 I'm just amazed at how people are inspired 31:38 to do so many different types of things 31:41 but, you know, when you're talking about 31:44 reaching the unreached... 31:46 we're talking about people who've never heard of Jesus, 31:50 we're talking about countries where 31:52 there aren't any Christians... 31:54 the Adventist church hasn't been... 31:56 what are some of the greatest missionary challenges? 32:00 Gary: Well, Shelley, I usually point to 32:06 the 10/40 Window 32:09 which is stretching from North-West Africa 32:12 through the Middle East... 32:14 into Asia... 32:15 and as you correctly pointed out earlier, 32:17 you have two-thirds of the world's population 32:19 living in that area 32:21 and you have the poorest of the poor 32:23 and you have people who come from 32:25 totally different worldviews to us 32:27 and as you said, 32:30 most of these people never even heard the name of Jesus. 32:32 Another challenge that we face is what Mike referred to earlier 32:36 and that is the growing urban areas of the world 32:39 and we now have the majority of the world's population 32:44 living in cities... 32:45 and that is where we need to start focusing 32:48 our mission energy. 32:50 Another challenge is the growing secular and post-modern West 32:54 where people are rich and increased with goods 32:57 and feel as they have need of nothing 32:59 and so they live their lives without any reference of God 33:04 and I usually finish my list there 33:07 until I heard Mike Ryan... 33:08 you were talking about another mission challenge 33:11 and that is the lack of involvement of church members 33:16 in Mission... that is another mission challenge. 33:20 Shelley: And that's something that God needs to 33:21 really wake up our heart... we need to pray about that more. 33:24 JD Quinn: Mike, what are your thoughts on this 33:27 as I can tell, you're sitting on the edge of your seat. 33:29 Pause... 33:34 Mike: Yeah, you know Shelley, 33:37 there are some videos tonight 33:39 that we're not showing 33:40 and... and we cannot show them 33:43 because they happen to come from areas 33:46 that would place a lot of people 33:49 in a lot of danger and difficulty 33:51 but you cannot imagine how Centers of Influence 33:55 are effected. 33:57 I could tell you of a country 33:59 in which we have very, very few members. 34:02 You can easily put all the members in the country 34:04 in your studio 34:05 and have a lot of room left over 34:07 and yet, that country found itself in a crisis... 34:11 people began to pour across the borders... 34:14 and when they came to that refugee country, 34:17 they found that they were not well received 34:21 and their children had no opportunity for education. 34:24 There was a young lady who was kind of asked 34:29 to find something to do, 34:31 and she went out and said, "We got to open a school... " 34:33 and if you were to go to that place today, 34:38 you would find not only a large school in an urban area 34:42 serving a people group 34:44 in which we've had very little inroads 34:47 and there you would find a congregation 34:49 that meets daily 34:51 and their children who now know Jesus 34:54 and so, these Centers of Influence 34:58 if it was an idea that was created by us, 35:01 I would say, "Well, probably it's an average idea" 35:05 but these Centers of Influence... 35:07 we have been counseled to enter into this by a divine source 35:10 and I think that makes the difference 35:15 and so, when we talk about the... the... 35:19 the Centers of Influence, 35:21 I think we need to recognize that they are located 35:24 in places that we are not reporting tonight. 35:27 Shelley: Amen... and I know that there are so many challenges 35:32 but I think what you said, Gary, 35:34 and of course you were quoting, Mike, 35:37 is that one of the greatest challenges 35:40 is that our hearts have become apathetic 35:42 toward Mission in many areas 35:46 we feel like we are rich... increased with good 35:50 and in need of nothing... 35:51 and we are not fulfilling Jesus' commandment 35:56 to love our neighbor as ourself 35:59 because if you love your neighbor... 36:01 he said, "This is second greatest commandment" 36:05 you're going to want them to know Jesus... 36:09 you're going to want them to have eternal life. 36:12 Well, I would say that Tokyo, Japan... 36:16 when you put that in the secular post-modern type of 36:22 atmosphere... 36:25 I noticed you have a video here called: 36:30 Mission Unusual in Tokyo. 36:33 So, is this one of your secular areas that's difficult? 36:37 Gary: You know, Tokyo is a unique city 36:43 in so many ways... 36:44 it's the world's largest city... 36:46 yes, very secular... very post-modern in many ways 36:50 but also, it still has residues 36:53 of different religious traditions 36:56 that mix up with it all, et cetera, et cetera 36:58 but the bottom line is that the Seventh-day Adventist Church 37:01 in Tokyo is... has a huge challenge... 37:05 it's a very, very small group of believers there 37:10 facing just... insurmountable odds of actually even... 37:15 how do you even start to make an impact in this 37:18 and so, Mission Unusual refers to a special initiative... 37:22 that was actually started by my boss, Dr. G.T. Ng 37:26 who's the Executive Secretary of the General Conference 37:28 and he said, "Why can't we get missionaries 37:31 and Global Mission Pioneers 37:33 and Centers of Influence 37:35 and Adventist Volunteer Services 37:37 and some supporting ministries 37:40 and let's do a combined effort here 37:43 where we listen to the local church leaders in Japan 37:47 and say, "How can we serve you? 37:49 How can we work with you in your plan? 37:52 And let's bring in the Global Mission Centers 37:56 that have expertise in reaching people 37:58 from certain religious traditions 38:00 and for reaching people in urban areas 38:03 and let's have a concerted effort... an unusual effort 38:07 to make a difference in this vast city... " 38:09 and so, that's what the next video is all about. 38:12 Shelley: All right, so let's look at: 38:14 Mission Unusual in Tokyo. 38:16 Pause... 38:26 Music... 38:36 There's nothing unusual about the Adventist Church 38:38 being involved in Mission. 38:40 Mission has always been our focus 38:42 but there is something very unusual 38:44 about a new Mission Movement taking off in Tokyo. 38:48 The church in Japan has a burden 38:50 for the millions of unreached people 38:52 living in their capital city. 38:53 They know that without new mission methods, 38:56 these people will remain unreached. 38:58 So, they invited the General Conference 39:01 and the Northern Asia Pacific Division 39:03 to partner with them 39:05 to create Mission Unusual... 39:07 a massive church planting and disciple-making movement. 39:10 Key to the development of Mission Unusual 39:13 are the Global Mission Centers 39:16 which focus on creating resources 39:17 to share the gospel with unreached people groups. 39:20 Doug: Today I'm in Tokyo, 39:21 one of the world's largest cities 39:23 with a population of 40 million... 39:25 the challenge is great before us but guess what? 39:28 Our God is greater... 39:29 He's given us this mandate in Revelation 14:6 39:33 and other places in Scripture 39:34 to go to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 39:37 So, how are we doing? 39:38 Well, we're not home yet 39:40 and that's where we and an Adventist family worldwide 39:43 can focus on reaching the unreached people groups 39:46 of the city. 39:47 There's growing diversity in Japan 39:49 and the people embrace a variety of lifestyles 39:52 and subcultures. 39:53 This includes young people like Sunny Bunny 39:56 who use fashion as a form of self-expression. 39:58 I saw Takeshita Dori in the street for the first time 40:02 and I saw a lot of like, Lolita's fashion 40:05 and a lot of colorful fashion, 40:07 and I was like, "Wow! Amazing... " 40:09 and then, you know, I became like this. 40:12 When I don't have, like, my makeup on... 40:15 and... normal wear... then I'm like this... 40:19 Bystander: Me too... me too... me too... 40:22 Girl: But when I wear this, I'm like this... 40:25 like, "Look at me... everyone look at me... 40:28 bow... bow... " like this. 40:30 Music... 40:32 A team of church-planting missionaries 40:34 is already on the ground 40:36 learning the language 40:37 and how best to share Jesus with the Japanese. 40:40 In time, they'll start new groups of believers 40:42 who will in turn disciple others. 40:45 Eventually, they'll be supported by the ministry 40:47 of Global Mission Pioneers... 40:49 Urban Centers of Influence... 40:51 Volunteers... and Tentmakers... 40:52 and a concerted effort to reach the entire city for Jesus. 40:56 Helping to lead this team is Pastor Nazumo Obara, 41:00 the President of the East Japan Conference. 41:03 For years, he's had a passion for church planting 41:06 and he and his wife, Sachiko, are actively engaged 41:09 in the disciple-making ministry for children. 41:12 Pastor Obara will be transitioning 41:14 from his position as President 41:15 to become the Associate Director for Mission Unusual Tokyo. 41:19 Pastor: Greater Tokyo area is a big area 41:26 with over 40 million people 41:28 but in the heart of Tokyo City, there's about 10 million people 41:32 and only ten Adventist Churches 41:35 with about 900 worship attendees every week. 41:38 So, one Adventist needs to reach more than 10,000 people. 41:44 Tokyo is a big challenge. 41:47 Narrator: To confront the challenge, 41:50 Japanese pastors and missionaries 41:53 will use a holistic approach to mission. 41:55 Mission Unusual will plant the seeds 41:58 of mission over the next five years 42:00 but the mission won't stop there. 42:02 These efforts will continue to grow 42:04 and impact people's lives for years to come. 42:08 Pastor: Our focus is not just on events and programs. 42:11 Building relationships and getting involved with people 42:14 is our focus. 42:15 Finding out people's needs and meeting people's needs. 42:18 In other words, implementing Christ's method 42:21 here in Mission Unusual Tokyo. 42:24 Narrator: We'll keep you updated as God leads this movement 42:27 and uses it for His glory. 42:29 In the meantime, you too can support Mission Unusual Tokyo. 42:33 Will you join me in praying for this project 42:35 as it continues to unfold over the next five years 42:38 to uplift Jesus in this city. 42:41 Music... 42:51 Shelley: One thing I love about 42:53 being a Seventh-day Adventist Christian 42:55 is that I have brothers and sisters around the world 42:59 and it is so inspiring to see what people are doing 43:03 to reach the unreached. 43:05 Gary, before we began, we actually had a moment 43:09 before we began this Program 43:11 we were talking off the air 43:13 and you mentioned something interesting 43:16 about the Annual Sacrifice Offering. 43:19 Could you give us a little history of that 43:22 and tell us what you do for your Annual Offering. 43:26 Gary: Yes, well, the Annual Sacrifice Offering 43:31 this year is... is November 14 43:33 and it comes within the Adventist... 43:36 end of what we call the Week of Prayer 43:37 and it comes to Global Mission with Church Planting 43:40 and Mike has actually done a little bit of a study 43:43 of the history of the Annual Sacrifice Offering 43:46 and how it started at a very important stage 43:50 in Adventist Church history. 43:51 Shelley: Mike, you want to tell us about it? 43:54 Pause... 43:57 Mike: Well, sure... 43:59 it does have a very interesting history. 44:02 If you think about the Adventist Church's history of mission, 44:08 it began in 1880s 44:11 and... but we had only gone too few countries in Europe. 44:16 Well, as we walked down the calendar, 44:19 we find that by the Great Depression 44:22 and the desperation 44:23 when there was a huge economic downturn 44:26 in the United States, 44:28 we actually had reached out 44:30 and we were operating in quite a few countries 44:33 and we had placed missionaries in Asia... India... 44:37 certainly we had missionaries serving in Africa, 44:40 South America, Inter-America 44:42 and we had actually purchased properties... 44:46 we were operating hospitals 44:48 and we were operating schools 44:50 and of course we had front-line workers 44:52 and it was quite a large mission program 44:55 but when this economic downturn came... 44:57 and it came to the attention of the General Conference 45:00 they were going to have to recall 45:03 and bring back all those missionaries 45:06 and so, someone came up with the idea... 45:08 "Well, why don't we have a week of prayer 45:10 where... where we call the world church to their knees 45:14 and let them know that we are in a crisis 45:17 and the proclamation of this message 45:20 that we have been asked to carry 45:22 is in danger of having a great setback... " 45:27 and so they placed this in the church 45:29 and it was very interesting what the result was. 45:32 If you look at the records 45:36 you will find that the average church member in North America 45:40 that year contributed on average six days' wages 45:47 to that offering. 45:48 Now, you stop and consider 45:51 what an offering would be like today 45:53 if every member... every member of the... of the church 45:58 were to contribute six days' wages 46:03 to that offering 46:05 to keep the mission work alive 46:08 and I'm telling you, 46:09 it absolutely saved the mission program 46:12 and many of the... of the places that we were at, 46:17 we did not have to bring our workers back. 46:19 There was funding... 46:20 we were able to keep them there 46:22 and make it through that crisis 46:25 and, of course, that was the beginning 46:27 of the Annual Sacrifice Offering 46:29 which we see that the Church has retained 46:31 right through the years 46:32 and, of course, it doesn't get quite the visibility 46:35 that it does right now 46:37 but I would... I would point this out. 46:39 Right now, the world church is under a great deal 46:43 of financial pressure because of the pandemic 46:47 and many times the exchange rates 46:50 that are in other countries 46:53 they have lost a very strong... power 46:57 and so, we're in a little bit of a crisis now too. 47:01 I think the secret to the annual sacrifice offering 47:05 is that we can actually have our church... 47:09 find themselves on their knees 47:11 for the week before 47:13 and ask the Lord, "What do you want me to do?" 47:17 That's a little history. 47:19 Shelley: And that's an amazing history... 47:22 I'm going to make a confession... they say that... 47:24 that confessions are good for the soul 47:28 but hard on the reputation... 47:29 you know, I feel like... being in full-time ministry 47:32 and we help support 3ABN 47:35 and we support orphans and things 47:38 but I'm realizing that the allocation 47:41 of my tithes and offerings I need to... 47:44 our tithe, of course, goes to the church 47:48 and certain offerings... 47:49 but we need to make that a monthly gift 47:53 that we put something in for global missions 47:56 because this the only way that Jesus is ever going to return 48:01 is when we can reach all of these people. 48:05 Rick: You know, one of the things 48:07 about the Annual Sacrifice... 48:09 Mike: Well, Shelley, we are partners in this together. 48:12 Shelley: Amen... amen. 48:14 Mike: Go ahead Rick. 48:16 Rick: I was going to say, 48:17 one of the things about the Annual Sacrifice Offering 48:19 is the word "sacrifice" is in there 48:21 and that's one of the things that those early people did, 48:24 they gave up a week's wages 48:26 and Mike, you're absolutely right, you know, 48:28 spending that week in prayer is critical 48:31 but one of the things that we're starting to suggest 48:33 is... think about something you can give up 48:36 for that week... 48:37 maybe it's a dessert or some snack 48:40 or... or... maybe you can give up a meal... 48:43 one meal a day for a week 48:44 and use that money to support the Annual Sacrifice Offering 48:48 and let's bring "sacrifice" back 48:50 into the Annual Sacrifice Offering. 48:52 Shelley: Amen... amen. 48:54 Gary: Shelley, I can remember when I was a child... a kid... 48:58 and we were living in New Zealand... 49:01 my parents had been missionaries to Fiji where I was born 49:05 and then my father went to Longburn College in New Zealand. 49:08 I can remember that it was a thing back then 49:11 that you actually gave a week's wages... 49:14 my parents would give a week's wages 49:16 for this particular offering 49:19 and my mother is actually watching in Australia 49:22 at the retirement village in Austinville, and so, "Hi Mom" 49:25 and the people there in the retirement village... 49:27 so, in my lifetime it was... 49:30 it was a... a thing... 49:32 but I think it was kind of... lost a little bit of the vision 49:34 but we're just so thankful for the Annual Sacrifice Offering, 49:37 because it helps make possible many of the things... 49:41 many of the projects... 49:43 many of the initiatives... 49:44 many of the new churches and Centers of Influence 49:46 that you have seen on the Program this evening. 49:50 Shelley: Amen... you just reminded me of a story 49:52 that just really... it's indelibly imprinted upon my mind 49:59 and that is that a pastor got up and said to his congregation, 50:03 "We have someone... a family who's in dire straits 50:08 they desperately need help 50:10 so, we're going to take up a collection 50:13 before Thanksgiving for their Christmas... " 50:15 and so, he told the... 50:19 I think it was like, three weeks in advance... 50:21 he told the church. 50:22 Well, there was a lady who had... her husband had died... 50:26 she had four children 50:27 they went and picked up cans... 50:30 they did bake sales... 50:31 they sold things... 50:33 and, you know what? 50:34 When the offering time came... 50:36 they'd put in $200. 50:39 Well at the end of the fellowship meal, 50:42 the Pastor called them forward... 50:46 they were the family for whom 50:48 the offering had been taken up. 50:52 The total offering was like, $214. 50:56 This family had put in $200 of it 51:00 and was the poorest family in the entire church 51:05 so, you see that I think sometimes 51:08 the more we feel we have... 51:10 the more we... we become content 51:15 and we don't pay attention to what other people have, 51:19 I found that often... people who have the least 51:22 are the most generous. 51:24 We do want to give you our audience 51:28 an opportunity to support this wonderful ministry. 51:32 As I said in... 51:34 not as I said but Jesus calls every one of us 51:41 to... we all have a role in Mission... 51:45 it is either that we are going 51:48 or that we are sending 51:50 and Paul said in Romans 10 13 through 15, 51:54 "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 51:59 But how then shall they call on Him 52:02 in whom they have not believed?" 52:05 How are all these people in the 10/40 Window 52:08 who never heard the name of Jesus... 52:11 how can they be saved? 52:13 He goes on and he says, "How shall they believe in Him 52:18 of whom they've not heard? 52:20 How shall they hear without a preacher? 52:23 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 52:28 As it is written: 52:30 'How beautiful are the feet of those 52:32 who preach the gospel of peace, 52:35 who bring glad tidings of good things!'" 52:39 If you would like to support, 52:42 I'm going to as Gary to... also in a moment, 52:45 to give you a... another method 52:48 but you can contact 3ABN 52:52 at: 618-627-4651 52:58 or you can mail it in to us... 53:02 you just can't text in... you can't text a donation, 53:07 but if you make that phone call, 53:09 you be sure and tell us, "This money is money I want 53:14 to go to Global Mission... " 53:17 and we have a special fund set up for Global Mission. 53:22 Gary, what's another way that people can contribute to you. 53:26 Gary: Thank you, well, first of all I want to thank you, Shelley 53:30 and thank 3ABN for providing this opportunity... 53:33 it's very generous of you... 53:34 we appreciate your support for the Global Mission. 53:38 You can go to our website: AdventistMission. org 53:42 AdventistMission. org and there you can find 53:46 all sorts of pictures and videos and stories 53:48 of what we've been talking about this evening 53:51 but you can also go to the giving page there 53:54 and if you want to give online, you can do that 53:56 and you can also find a phone number there 53:59 the 1-800 number that you contact us on as well 54:03 which is 1-800-648-5824 54:08 and this... just as a reminder Global Mission is all about 54:13 starting new groups of believers 54:15 among new people groups 54:16 and in new geographical areas. 54:19 Shelley: So, you are reaching the unreached. 54:23 Well, I want to say one thing to Mama Krause... 54:27 we want to say "hello" to you 54:29 and you did such a wonderful job in rearing your son 54:35 and for parents at home, 54:37 just always remember the most important thing 54:41 you can teach your children 54:42 is how to have an intimate, personal relationship 54:47 with the God of love. 54:49 I just want one... we've only got a couple of minutes... 54:53 but I want one of you to share 54:56 how this ministry has changed your life. 54:59 Pause... 55:01 Gary: Go ahead Mike. 55:03 Pause... 55:06 Mike: Well, I will tell you 55:11 the more that you become aware 55:15 of the people who still need to hear the good news of the gospel 55:19 and the look that you get at it 55:24 whether it is Buddhism, Hinduism, Communism, 55:29 Islam... and you... you become acquainted 55:34 with the miracle that takes place 55:38 to bring hope to people... 55:40 how precious they are... 55:42 it cannot help but... but impact you. 55:45 My challenge to people listening tonight, 55:48 is to find a way to become involved in mission. 55:54 There's a program called: I will go... 55:56 we've all heard of it... 55:57 take that as a challenge... 55:59 I will go... find some way... 56:00 if you will take one step forward, 56:02 you will find the Lord will bless that 56:05 and it will change your life. 56:07 Shelley: Amen and amen... well said. 56:09 Gary, we thank you very much for all that you are doing... 56:14 and thank you for being on tonight... 56:16 Mike, thank you for the pioneering work that you did 56:19 in helping to launch this program, 56:22 and, of course, our dear friend, we thank you too 56:27 Rick, for being with us 56:29 and our prayer for those of you at home 56:33 is that the love of our God and Father... 56:37 the fellowship... 56:40 or the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 56:42 and the fellowship of the Lord... 56:45 the fellowship of the Holy Spirit... 56:48 will do a work in your heart 56:51 that... open your heart to the Holy Spirit... 56:54 say, "Lord, pour your love into my heart... 56:58 help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength 57:00 and to love my neighbor as myself. " 57:03 Bye... bye. |
Revised 2020-12-07