CREATIVE ACCESS NATIONS

Arab Spring and the Shaking of Nations

2011-07-14T19:24:00.001-07:00

"Arab Spring" is a phrase being used by the U.S. state department to describe uprisings in Arab states within the last decade. Wikipedia lists 20 such states. Historical and political analysts have weighed in to predict what the outcome of these revolutions might be, but no one can say for sure. Consider the counsel of Haggai, an Israeli prophet. He speaks (2:7) of a "shaking of nations." The Hebrew word translated "shake" in English is graphic: it speaks of the rising and falling of nations. But when God shakes the nations, it will be more than a score of Arab nations; it will be ALL the nations. What could happen that would shake all the nations so profoundly? How about this? God positions ancient Israel to realize all its dreams of a restored land, a recovered and most glorious temple, a restored and final peace, a thriving and dominant economy and a restored political prominence over the entire world. That would shake ALL the nations. Assuredly, this will happen when the Messiah, the Crucified One, the Resurrected One, the long awaited One returns, in blinding splendor and glory, to inherit what he bought with his own blood--a redeemed people. "I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (2:8) Let the pundits of the world consider the Arab Spring but a precursor to the Glorious Summer.

REFORMISSION

2009-12-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

The Baptist Bible College of Great Britain is expanding its outreach. It has added two new locations for offering college classes to those who want to know the Bible better and become more effective disciples: one is near Manchester, England and the other in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. This has increased the enrollment by 30.

A "Reformission" conference was held at the White House, emphasizing the need for workers in Great Britain to refocus and re-double their efforts in church planting. The missionaries and national pastors were encouraged by the special emphasis on re-thinking our mission to this post-Christian, post-modern society. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. An expectancy hangs in the air--the Lord will do great things in the coming days.

Iran elects, God choses

2009-06-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

The Iranian nation has endured another election. It is commonly known and uncommonly accepted that the candidates are vetted by the Supreme Counsel and that the outcome of the election is controlled by the present government-not exactly "free elections." Although controversial, it appears that Mahmood Ahmadinejad will remain the president of this troubled country. Yet, in the final analysis, it is God who is in control of nations, their leaders, and their destinies. The following passage from the prophet Samuel is noteworthy:

"7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.

8 He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He has set the world upon them.

9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail.

10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:7-10)

The Iranian people would do well--and so would we--to look to the Lord and to pray to Him to work His will in all our national and international concerns.

Refugee Center Continuing

2009-04-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord for the courage of those at the Refugee Center. After much prayer and heart-searching, the leaders have decided to go ahead with their ministry to refugees. They would ask each of you to pray the Lord's protection.

Refugee Center Threatened

2009-03-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

Four New Followers of Jesus the Christ

2008-09-19T01:26:00.001-07:00

This blog is about creative ways of presenting the Gospel to people who, politically or religiously, have been deprived of the privilege and opportunity to hear God's gospel and be saved. After preaching in (unnamed) a refugee center, five Farsi-speakers (Afghanis, Iranians, Kazakistan, etc.) stayed back for prayer and consultation. Four of them gave their hearts to the Lord Jesus. This is happening all over Europe.

Dhimmitude in England:Discrimination of Women in Islam

2008-09-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

Cal Thomas has written an article every European and American should read. Are we sleep-walking into the arms of the enemy? His article can be read at http:calthomas.com/index.php?news=2304.

A Side Trip By The Sea Side

2008-09-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

The Baptist Bible Fellowship of Great Britain met in Colwyn Bay, North Wales to celebrate 100 years ministry with the Woodhill Baptist Church, Leonard James, pastor. The church was begun as the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1908 by Thomas A. Tucker, an Old Baptist Union pastor. "Few people," wrote Mrs A.L. Morehead, "would have predicted its survival against all the odds."

The present building was prayed for and purchased at the price of 675 pounds. "Pastor Tucker and Deaconess [Rosa] Gilbert got the keys of the building and went over it. They knelt down on the dusty platform in the Chapel and prayed about getting it and asked the Lord to give the building to those who would bring the most glory to His name."

Woodhill has brought the Lord much glory: with "18,000 church buildings in the U.K. predicted to close their doors in the next 10 years," (Sermon, Tom Wallace Jr. at the meeting), Woodhill has stayed open and is a vital church of over 100 with a large and active youth group (30-35). They have sent out several full-time workers and started other churches.

This church, like all churches has had its ups and downs. On the 28th of July 1990, BBFI missionary J.A. Richards found the church struggling with only 6 in attendance. But after 12 years of faithful ministry, got to an average of 115 on Sunday mornings.

When the Richards went home on furlough, they had other BBFI missionaries assist them such as the Hovings and Dunmires. This church, bathed in prayer, and blessed with some of God's finest ministers has been a blessing to their community and to all of Great Britain.

It was our privilege to preach on their centenary Sunday and at the Fellowship meeting in the beautiful (but wet) Combermere Gardens, Rhos on the Sea, at Colwyn Bay. Thank you pastor James and all the people at Woodhill for being faithful.

THE PROMISE

2008-09-02T02:19:00.000-07:00

The rainbow over the building where we meet reminded us of our Father's merciful promise. And recently we have seen more evidence of His mercies when the owner of the building agreed to rent the building to us until December of this year and to keep the option to buy the building until March of next year. His mercies are amazing.

A Strange "Coincidence" with A Zoroastrian

2008-08-15T22:57:00.000-07:00

We took the wrong bus in Graz and ended up in front of a Persian carpet store. Inside we met the owner, an Iranian who has lived in Graz for almost thirty years, is married-divorced and has an eleven-year-old daughter who is quite an artist. He said he is Zoroastrian which was the main religion in Iran before Islam. After a friendly discussion about his faith and my faith, we left him with a gospel of John and a tract in German-He speaks three languages well: English, German and Farsi.

Carrie wanted to buy a few things but we didn't have enough cash (a common experience), so we had to go back the next day. On this visit, out of the blue, he said, almost apologetically, "it is easy for Muslims to change their religion, but for a Zoroastrian its not so easy." What was he saying? What should I have said? I remember saying something like, "it's not so important to change one's faith as it is for their faith to change them." Well, as Providence would have it, I'll get another opportunity to talk with him-I "accidentally" left my glasses in his shop and will have to return tomorrow. Strange "coincidence."

Iranians That Sing

2008-08-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

We keep meeting Iranians in Graz. This time we got acquainted with two professional opra singers who were attending the American Institute of Music Studies. (The Institute has been holding these 6-week training sessions in Graz for nearly forty-years!) The young man is a finalist in the Meistersingen competition that takes place this Thursday night. Carrie and I will go hear he and others we have met. He promised to come sing for our "Friend Day" planned in September. Pray for our new Iranian friends.

Losing Our Building in Graz, Austria

2008-08-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

We're losing this strategically located facility. Unable to buy it (for the paltry sum of $500,000.00), unable to rent it and a family home too, missionary Curt Brown is letting it go. Now what? We just had four new visitors this Sunday! New visitors have come each week for the past month. (Drum-roll) ...It is time for Captain Creative! On our next post, we'll let you in on a plan. Meanwhile, think you could pray that God would do His usual--"exceedingly, abundantly above whatever...[we]...ask or think?" Thanks

Planting a New Church in Graz, Austria

2008-08-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Curt Brown, BBFI missionary, has asked us to help him plant an English speaking church in Graz, Austria. Interesting. There are 44,000 students in 6 different universities, one of which, The Technical University, offers its courses in English only. Students in the local schools study English for several years, but do not have the opportunity to practice. One of the professors, an Austrian, is a Christian man who teaches at the Technical University. He said that "one of the greatest joys of his life is to talk to these students about God." Many of these students are from India, China, and other restricted nations. Since many of these students would never hear the gospel in their own countries, this is "Creative Access" missions.

Church Planting in India

2007-08-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have studied Church Planting Movements, we are going to provide a place on this blogspot for interchange of ideas. If you are able to successfully get on the blog, you may write comments, questions, suggestions so we can grow in our understanding of how to initiate a CPM in India.

Muslim Awareness Seminars

2007-08-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

On July 5, 2007 I began a "Muslim Awareness Seminar" in Dresden, Germany with the International Baptist Church, Bill Crawford, pastor. The past Sunday, July 4, I began a series of Bible Studies from the book of Jude entitled, "Christian Jihad:" A Defense of the Christian Faith in a World of Islamic Resurgence. I will continud this series for the next four Sundays. There were 19 present at the first service. In addition, I will be teaching lessons on how to defend the Christian faith vis-a-vis Muslim criticisms of Christianity. We have had 15 who said they will attend. I will provide a journal for those intersted in how this series of lessons turns out-what we did and what the reactions/responses to the lessons were. I hope this will be of some help to those interested in this subject. Ken

An Opportunity For 21st Century Missions

2007-02-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

THE CHALLENGE: RESTRICTED NATIONS

(Edited article from Pioneers)

Increasingly many countries with several unreached people groups will no longer accept religious workers with traditional missionary passports. Visas to go in as missionaries, church planters, etc. are more and more frequently being denied.

It is estimated that at the beginning of this (third) millennium over 80% of the world’s population will reside in countries closed to traditional missionary approaches.

These countries have been labeled, “Creative Access Nations.” They are also referred to as “limited access,” “restricted access,” or “closed” countries. “Creative access” is preferred because it sounds more positive and visionary.

What about this situation? Consider the following:

1) Do restrictions and limitations negate the local church’s mission?
2) In light of God’s sovereignty, are these countries completely closed? (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:33; Isaiah 8-9)
3) Can God be banished when heaven is his throne and the earth is his footstool? (Isaiah 66:1)
4) Are all the “closed doors” permanently locked?
5) Is Christian mission limited by official government sanction?
6) Are we to obey men rather than God?

The answer to these questions lie in the firm convictions of the first apostolic missionaries who said: “…Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard…We ought to obey God rather than man.” (Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29)

Similarly, Daniel purposely broke the special law of the Babylonians in order to obey God even though it meant being thrown to the lions (Daniel 6)

When human governments seek to block God’s agenda to fulfill the Great Commission, the Christian’s prior or greater responsibility is toward God.

FACTORS CREATING NON-ACCESSIBILITY

Countries that deny visas to traditional missionaries are not necessarily, always anti-Christian. There are several major factors that contribute to the classification of a Creative Access Nation (CAN).

3) The Religious Factor

This is the most common reason for the listing of a CAN. This is also the largest factor. No missionaries are allowed in…no missionary activity is legal.

This was the case in the former USSR. In China, communism abolished both God and religion. In recent years, the hostility of Muslims toward Christian missionaries has reached new proportions. Islam’s declared war against Christianity keeps most of the Muslim countries of the world non-accessible with traditional missionary passports. Proselytizing of any kind is a criminal offense in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, etc. Christian minorities in Muslim countries see the emerging political ideology of Islamization in the later part of the twentieth century as a form of oppression and as a threat to the very survival of the church. In recent decades, Hinduism in India has acquired a new lease on life and is moving from the defensive to the offensive. Militant Hindus would like all missionaries expelled from India.

The religious factor may also affect the subsequent factors in varying degrees.

4) The Nationalism Factor.

Nationalism has been a great force in the Two-Thirds World during most of the twentieth century. Many countries gained independence from Western colonial powers and achieved nationhood after World War II.

Now, all foreigners are guests. Foreigners enter, remain, function and depart only with the permission of that sovereign government. In such nations foreigners have no rights, only privileges.

5) The Economic Factor.

Many of the countries in the Two-Thirds world have complex economic problems. To begin with they have run-away growth in human population. That leaves them with too many people and too few jobs. The high rate of unemployment pressures governments not to allow expatriates to take jobs away from their own citizens. In some countries, they are determined to get rid of all expatriates. Some countries have a limited quota for the total number of foreigners in the country regardless of their professions. Other countries are more selective and favor individuals with expertise in certain fields and professions. Such individuals are given work permits beyond the transit or tourist visa allotment.

6) The Political Factor

Every so often certain countries will face mutual conflicts with each other. If there is a stalemate and no peaceful settlement, it can result in strained or non-diplomatic relations between them for significant periods of time. Foreign citizens of these affected countries often are forced to leave the country. Missionaries, like the rest of the foreigners are caught in the cross-fire of these political conflicts. Therefore, such countries enter the CAN list till the political problems are resolved between those two countries.

7) The War Factor

The crisis of war, either internal civil war in a nation or external transnational war can force a country to be on the CAN list. The instability produced could dictate the evacuation of all existing missionaries and the non-issuance of entry visas to others.

The above factors of non-accessibility should determine the deployment of missionary personnel, the nature and approaches in ministry to be undertaken in a nation or cultural group.

RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE:

* Emphasize the Primacy of Local Churches.

The local, New Testament church is more than a match for the powers that oppose it since the Head of the local church has been exalted to “the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (I Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:18-23; 3:20, 21) Every local church needs to think biblically and act responsibly as to its role in global mission, like the church in Antioch (Acts 11, 13, 14, 15 and 18). The local church enlists, selects, supports, authorizes, ordains, commissions and sends the missionary. The missionary needs to be seen as the primary responsibility of the local church while at home or overseas. The local church needs to be the primary moral supporters and care givers of missionaries. The local church serves as the catalyst for global mission because people, money and prayers flow from the local church.

This is also very relevant, especially to the Boomer generation who are yet to support missions heartily. Boomers are more “project oriented” as compared to the “cause oriented” Builders generation before them. So personalizing and localizing missions is crucial and viable.

* Promote Partnerships among Local Churches and Missionary Personnel.

The Great Commission was given to the local church. The first New Testament church that received the Great Commission had 120 members. So, a church of 120 members was expected to evangelize and disciple the whole world. And they did it. How? They won converts and established other local churches. Then together, these local churches spread the Gospel over the whole known world.

This is being done today. Missionary Ken Liles is coordinating an effort of Romanian, Hungarian and Macedonian churches, pastors and missionaries to join together in an effort to evangelize Serbia, a neighboring country.

* Focus on the Diaspora of Restricted Access Nations and their networks.

When an Unreached People leave their Group they become more open to new ideas and to change. Some leave their Group in search of change-any change.. This “diaspora” leaves the people more open to give the Gospel a hearing. For example, there are four million Iranians who have left the oppressive regime of Islamic Fundamentalism. In the last seven months, 500 Iranians have been baptized

• Become Creative in the Fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The Non-Resident Missionary

This is when a missionary may live in a country other than the restricted country which is his target. For example, Iran is “closed” to missionaries. Yet, Iranians can be reached in Germany, France, Holland, Canada, and the United States. Presently, Afghan refugees living in Iran are being evangelized and discipled by “strategic coordinators” who live outside of Iran. These Coordinators have been able to guide and grow their work in creative ways.

The Tent-Maker Missionary

A Christian businessman or woman can live in a country that may deny residency to a missionary. Yet as they live and work among the people, they become effective witnesses for Christ. With the right training, they can also establish churches among those who become believers.

The Short Term Missionary

Originally, this missionary ministered in places where missionaries were already at work. They can be very helpful at times. Short-term missionaries can also go to restricted countries as tourists. While there, they can disperse Bibles, witness, pass out literature to those who are interested, and lay the foundation for an on-going ministry to those who believe.

The “Native” Missionary

There are more Third World missionaries today than from the Western World. It has been estimated that there are 70,000 missionaries from the West and over 150,000 from the Third World. These Third World missionaries have everything but resources. They know the language, culture, religious background and history of the people to whom they minister. The only thing they may lack is the resources to carry out their mission. If Western Christianity, that seems to have abundance of resources, can partner with Third World missionaries and provide responsible assistance then the Commission can be fulfilled more efficiently and effectively.

Source: Frontier Missions

What CAN Means

2007-02-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

CAN is an acrostic for Creative Access Nations. These countries are also known as Restricted Access Countries. They usually restrict the basic freedoms most civilized people enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of conscious. These countries violate basic and inalienable human rights which most of them agreed to permit when they became a part of the international community via. the United Nations.

We go to these countries to bring good news-news of the freedom we have in a personal relationship with God, our Creator and Savior. Because governments of these nations restrict the freedom to openly proclaim this good news, we must come up with creative ways (not clandestine) to guarantee their citizens a valid opportunity to hear God's liberating message as preached by the Lord, Jesus Christ. We have been command by Him to do so. We believe it is our duty to obdy His command and we view the edicts of these nations against the plain command of Christ, in the words of Charles Spurgeon, "as so much waste paper."

We respect the God-given position leaders of nations have-they have been given their positon from God-but we do not honor them above Him.

So in the spirit and letter of our Lord's own words, we say,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has annointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight ot the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (The Gospel of Luke 4:18, 19)

This blog site will discuss problems, issues and progress in the work of proclaiming this liberating message to those who are captive, blind, bound and bruised.

You are welcome to join in to question, challenge, contribute to this conversation.

Thanks for Coming,
Ken