IMB Missionaries and Persecution...

I am in the office today after having spent the first part of the week in Richmond, VA at an International Mission Board meeting. It is my joy to report that the IMB is doing well and that the attitude among trustees is fantastic. Yes, we have been somewhat affected by the financial downturn in America resulting in some belt-tightening measures, but the organization is working harder than ever to make every dollar count and to provide maximum support to our missionaries around the world. There is a sense of unity on the board that is powerful and contagious. We are looking to the future together as we pray for God's leadership in the selection of the next president of the IMB. I ask you to pray as well for Dr. Jimmy Pritchard and the entire President's Search Committee as they seek God's man for this position.

While at the meeting I had the privilege of visiting with two long-term missionaries and their experiences around the world (names withheld to protect the obvious). This beloved couple has been on the field more than a quarter century, they have buried a son in Africa and faced untold physical persecution throughout their tenure. They are indeed heroes of the faith like those the writer of Hebrews describes as "of whom the world has was not worthy." Like those to whom they minister, they have come to realize that persecution is like the sun coming up in the East, it's going to happen. But of course this is reality for 80% of the Christian world who live with regular, on-going persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. When asked whether he felt persecution would come to the United States, the missionary said, "Why would Satan want to wake us up (through persecution) when we've already shut up!" What a powerful and thought provoking response from someone committed to giving his life for the Gospel. This incredible servant made another statement that I leave you with today, a statement every evangelical Christian in America should hear and give utmost consideration. He said, "When you deny Christ and refuse to share God's truth of salvation for fear of persecution, are you not identifying more with the persecutor than you are with the persecuted?" What a question to ponder...