Reaching the Nations for Christ

What is the most important thing on God’s heart today?

All Christians understand that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the grave so that mankind might be brought back to into a right relationship with God. But that was not the end of the story and God’s plan on earth is still unfolding. And it is the reason why Jesus has still not returned.

God wants the whole world to know about the great sacrifice His Son made on the cross. And He wants everyone to have an opportunity to hear, and have a chance to accept or reject His Son’s sacrificial gift for their sins.

But there is one last sign that is rarely mentioned that must take place before Christ’s return to the earth: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Ganguwada, Odissa (Odisha)

This is what I believe is the most important thing on God’s heart today! God is bringing in the harvest, but only after the full numbers of Gentiles have come in will He bring an end to this world in its present form. 

We must understand how God measures the harvest. The Bible defines the task clearly where we are given a glimpse of the time when the harvest has been fully gathered in Revelation 7:9, 10, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

This is exciting news! We are told there will be worshipers of Jesus around the throne from “…every, nation, tribe, people, and language…” And just to make it clear God also mentions it in Revelation 5:6-10 and again in Revelation 14:6. 

God always completes things perfectly. He created the first divisions among the human race at the Tower of Babel by splitting people into, “…clans and languages, in their territories and nations. These are the clans of Noah's sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.” (Genesis 10:31, 32)

The whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation carries two themes. The first is the redemptive story of Jesus, and the second, which seems to have been lost on so many people today, is God’s plan to reach the nations.

Without understanding this, a Christian’s life will lack a key ingredient and sense of purpose. Jesus didn’t die on the cross just so you can have salvation; He died on the cross to save the nations. God doesn’t bless you and me just so we can be happy. He blesses us so we can reach the nations! And not just every country, but “…nation, tribe, people and language.” Only when this happens will Jesus return; “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking the work of reaching all the ethnic groups, tribes, languages, and people groups have been done. It has not! There are Christians that have sat on their backside for decades while they waited for the Lord’s return. Tragically, their lives have been wasted and they have done nothing for the Lord.

After 2000 years since Jesus gave us the Great Commission how much progress do you think we have made? One of the best sources of information is the Joshua Project. They have classified an unreached people group as having less that 2% Christian. Using this definition, how many of the 16,586 people groups do you think remain to be properly “reached” with the gospel of Jesus?

The answer may shock you: After 2000 years there are still 7,165 unreached people groups in the world today!   

From this point of view, the church is just past the halfway point toward the goal, no wonder Jesus has not returned yet. We are grateful to God that He has called us to Asia, because 72% of all remaining unreached people groups are found there.

Hundreds of millions of Asians are still waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time in their lives. Not only individuals, but whole tribes and ethnic groups remain totally unevangelized.

India remains the greatest challenge to the gospel in the world today. It is the home to 2,599 distinct

Lombadi Tribal Lady

groups. Of that number, 2,365 (91%) of them remain unreached by the gospel. Who will reach the Bhattra of Orissa (Odisha) or the tiny Muriya tribe who number less than 100 people?

Does God care if anyone reaches the Muriya? Are they too small to worry about? Not at all! Jesus died for the Muriya. They are a distinct nation who will one day have believers worshiping the Lamb around His throne.

The Lord Jesus is waiting for His full inheritance to come in, and it is a great privilege to be able to play a part in seeing this happens as we serve the Church in Asia together.

If you would like to join us in reaching the unreached for Christ you can click here to Donate Now. 

--Russ Sharrock

Gospel Risk-takers

In the time it takes to read this page, another Christian will be killed because of his or her faith in Jesus Christ. 160,000 believers around the world will be slaughtered this year alone…simply because they love Jesus.

This is not a news flash. The physical risk of going public for the glory of God among satanically dominated peoples is obvious.In Odisha (Orissa) state, three months of intimidation and assaults in two villages in eastern India has left four Christians hospitalized and others injured, two houses damaged, and the entire Christian community unable to do business or draw water from the town well.

The boycott of the Christians of Dangarguda village, led by some Hindu nationalist residents, began in April. The Christians were prohibited from buying and selling, and from fetching drinking water from the public well because of their faith in Christ. In many regions nationalist Hindus enjoy popular and bureaucratic support in their campaign to make India a purely Hindu society.

Jesus predicted that you will probably be disposed of quickly and without pause like a lion eats a lamb: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). That‘s the risk of identifying with Jesus in this world; and too many are frightened at the thought.

Scripture describes the killing of God’s people as horrible, yet beautiful. Horrible because of the indescribable torment endured by so many; but beautiful in their humble Christ-likeness as they are afflicted, persecuted, struck down; but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4). When believers are crushed by suffering, the aroma of Christ stretches out even more widely and rapidly among the peoples. 

This is biblical boldness: to plow through hostile resistance with the gentleness of Christ and loving the hate out of those enemies of the cross. However, I dread a greater danger than death. I dread the consequences of not taking a risk for the gospel. What will I suffer if I refuse to suffer for Christ? What will I lose if I refuse to lose my life for Jesus for the nations? What glory (Paul‘s word – Romans 8:18) will I miss out on if I avoid suffering for the gospel?

There is something in suffering for the gospel that produces supernatural affection and compassion 

Puttasingh Village, Odisha

within you towards those who are harming you. At the same time, when one can praise God instead of denying him in the midst of suffering, unbelievers take notice. Some will be saved, which causes more persecution, which will fuel even more passionate and bold sharing of the gospel.

The result is that whole new regions are quickly populated with believers and churches. This is how suffering and persecution nearly always advance both personal sanctification in the sufferer and the more rapid, wide-ranging growth of the gospel among the persecutors.

There is nothing more powerful in evangelism than a life humbly laid down for Christ and the gospel. Gospel risk-takers are missionary madmen (2 Cor. 11:23). But God is glorified by them; and the world‘s unharvested fields need many more like them.

--Russ Sharrock 

Seek First the Kingdom

All around us today we hear Christians bemoaning the world’s descent into the dark hole of moral and ethical decay.  Listen to what these men have to say about the situation,

“When I look at the younger generation, I despair for the future of civilization.”

“The world is passing through troublesome times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or of old age. They are impatient of all restraint and they talk as though they know everything, and what passes as wisdom to us is foolishness to them. As for the girls they are immodest and unwomanly in speech, behavior, and dress.”

Can you guess who made the above quotes? Was it a church leader unhappy with the direction of society today, or someone on one of the nightly talk shows? It may surprise you to know the first quote was made by Aristotle in about 300 BC, and the second was made by Peter the Monk in 1274 AD. 

The point is that as followers of Jesus Christ we need to be careful to not allow ourselves to slide into fear and inactivity. For thousands of years God’s people have been saddened by the decay of the societies they lived in. Every generation thinks they have it worse than the one before. Even Solomon stated, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, 10)

We are told that 4000 years ago Lot was, “…distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)…” (1Peter 2:7, 8)

It should not surprise us that the world is falling apart around us. It has been every since sin first came into “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”  

Children of the Nile Project in Bangalore

the world. As believers we are told to,

(Philippians 2:14-16)

Most Christians we have spoken to from different countries and backgrounds are concerned about the state of their nations, the economy, corrupt governments, and most of all the moral decay spreading through their society. Many believers seem obsessed on the problems around them. And while these problems are real, they can easily be used by Satan to distract a Christian’s focus away from where it should be.

As Disciples of Christ it is imperative that we look upward and beyond the troubles of everyday life and society.  If we become isolated we will die. There is a great lesson for us in the Dead Sea. Did you know there are 153 different streams and rivers of fresh water that flow into the Dead Sea, yet nothing can live and grow in it except a few bacteria and other organisms. That is because there is not a single outlet for all that water, so everything that flows into it dies because it has nowhere to go. The Dead Sea does not have a single outlet.

This is a lesson for every denomination, church, and Christian; without an active and effective outlet for your faith you too will become stagnant and die. 

Even though the world appears to be a frightening place, it’s not the time for Christians to bury their heads in the sand, or run for the hills. Doing this plays into the hands of the devil, who wants all of Jesus’ followers to think the job is completed and that their own needs and self-preservation are important. The opposite is true. Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Remember that Jesus did not say we take care of our needs first, but that we should, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Our focus as believers should never change. First, we should be totally committed to know, love, and obey God and His Word. Second, we must always focus on what God is focused on—reaching the unreached nations of the world.

Only then will Jesus return for His bride, and only then will the seventh angel sound his trumpet in heaven and proclaim, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

--Russ Sharrock 

Sharing Your Heart

Prayer is the foundation of who we are and all that we do. The outpouring of love for our family, and for our ministry, that we receive from prayers by our brothers and sisters in Christ is truly humbling.

Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of his children, we are encouraged and carried through the spiritual warfare that we encounter as follower of Christ.

Alice and I continue to pray for God’s direction in our lives as we wait upon the Lord to make His plans clear. It’s been a blessing and a challenge for both of us. When we became missionary disciples, we did so with the confidence that God would be with us as we went forward in our call.

We invite each of you to join us as we go through seven days of continuous prayer for God’s leading, both for us and for AIM, as we seek the desire of His heart.

We all go through ups and downs in this life. And we need each other as the body of Christ to support and encourage one another. It’s also our joy to pray for our fellow global Christians, and sharing life and ministry together.

We invite you to join us on Facebook or send us an email at aimission@hotmail.com to connect with us. Be praying how you can reach out to others in your church or small group, coworkers, neighbors, and around the world, to encourage one another in prayer.

As followers of Christ, we all travel on the path where He has put us as the hands and feet of Christ, sharing the truth and hope of the gospel. We have the great privilege to communicate with the Creator of the universe, our heavenly Father, at any time.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we are told to, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Take the time today to share your heart with the Father.

--Russ Sharrock

Let's Discover the "Now" of God

One of the greatest promises of God is found in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "...No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." The problem is we don't accept these promises as for "now" and miss out on discovering the "now" of God.

We do this with power and presence of sin in our lives, thinking that "someday we will know freedom, but not as long as we are in this body." And then along comes the apostle Paul who keeps going because he has discovered that "...you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)

Also, we do this in the presence and power of sin in the lives of other people, giving in to the life-killing thinking that we can't change anything, so why try. But then along comes an army of Spirit-filled people who are charging forward because they have discovered how the power of the Holy Spirit can help them  defeat the storms of this world with the light of the gospel that can change lives, now!

What if the world experienced a true life-changing revival? What if we surrendered ourselves toGod's promises and allowed Him to in us and through us? What would you and I discover? Think of the power that would be unleashed. Think of the impact we could have on the world.

By the way, in 1 Corinthians 2:9 Paul is paraphrasing Isaiah 64:4 that says, "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."

Are you ready? Let's discover the NOW of God!

--Russ Sharrock

Last Day of Our Trip

The Team flies out today from Kolkata, Russ & I tomorrow.  The blessings will continue, the seeds we and our national brothers/sisters have sown will be watered, and God will give the increase. 

Unfortunately, as most missionary prayer partners are aware, opposition can be violent and life-threatening or at least ministry-threatening, and so we have been asked not to post all those cute and wonderful photos from the village VBS.  Soooo, if you want more details, sign up for our email updates on our website   www.aimission.org    We will send out an email synopsis of our 3+ month trip by the end of June. 

God has opened many new doors to ministries that have invited us to join their evangelism outreach this trip—from the mountains to the sea, from tiny rural villages to inner cities.  Some leaders only knew us from hearsay…and we have become brothers and sisters in Christ.  The journey was very hard and often primitive, but we are not here for a vacation. 

End of this Chapter, but not of The Book!

Since I’m an artist, it is painful to not be able to tell the story with photos!  Well, maybe just one that can’t be pinpointed…to symbolize the sun setting on this trip to India.  We pray that God will keep using us in the days ahead.

This year’s Team thoroughly enjoyed the ministry here and we had a great time together.  India is not easy: Russ and I often had no electricity or internet; we were hot and sweaty and tired; showers and laundry were done with a bucket from the local hand pump, but the blessings are worth it:  To see a hungry child’s face light up, to hug an elderly widow, to give a fresh water well to a thirsty village, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see hands raised in acceptance…May His Name continue to be glorified among the nations!

 

--Alice Sharrock

Healing Bodies and Souls

For two years, Dr. Sujatha and her husband, Pastor Babu Prasad, had been praying about opening a clinic in the poor neighborhood surrounding their Mizpah Christian Assembly church.  

On a chance, Pastor Babu emailed Asia International Mission about their vision.  Among the hundreds of requests for partnership, this one touched Russ’ heart.  Healing the poor, and bringing them the love of Jesus… 

 One May 31, 2013, we and the Team were honored to be part of the official Dedication.  For Dr. Suji, it was a dream come true!  (Plus it was her birthday…)  We joined their church members in a small tent for the ceremony.  A new sign sparkled above us, proclaiming “Sunshine Clinic” and the ribbon across the door was draped with fragrant jasmine.

Dedication Prayer by Albert May

Albert May opened with prayer; Pastor Babu told their story—he and Dr. Suji shed some tears of joy with us.  Dr. Sujatha and Russ spoke.  The ribbon was cut with the appropriate confetti and firecrackers (required for any Indian celebration…) and the first patient walked in after hearing the festivities out on the street.  Church members lined up to offer congratulations and get their sugar levels and blood pressure checked.  What a day!

Ribbon Cutting

 
God is at work in India…and AIM is proud to join Him.  Dr. Suji’s goal is to heal the physical ailments of the poor who cannot afford the other more costly doctors.  They will be charged a nominal fee so that value will be perceived; the Nile Project children (who have already been screened for need) and their families will get vouchers for totally free medical care. 

 But, Dr. Suji’s primary goal is spiritual healing.  There are so many living in bondage to a million demon gods and burdensome superstitions.  She will pray for her patients, counsel them, and witness to them about Jesus Christ as opportunities arise.  Sickness is debilitating, but lost souls need so much more than medicine.

Russ Presents Dr. Sujatha a new Stethoscope

We thank all of our generous donors for making this new Medical Clinic a reality!  Each of you is a vital part of reaching the lost multitudes of India for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  May His Name be glorified among the nations!

 As we left Bangalore,  there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever, a dreaded tropical disease spread by the Aedes Egypti mosquito.  The government admits to almost 90 cases originating within the city, with another 80+ cases coming in from the surrounding areas for treatment.  Another article said there were almost 2000 suspected cases in the state of Karnataka with over 800 testing positive.  This will worsen as the monsoon rains continue and pools of water collect where mosquitoes can breed.  Please pray for the poor who live along stagnant canals with no screens or mosquito netting.  Also please pray for healthcare to be available to those who need it--seldom the case for poverty stricken areas.  God brought Sunshine Clinic into reality just as it was needed most.

Checking Blood Sugar

 

Len Walker makes a new friend.

---Alice Sharrock