Recently, my wife, Lisa, and I attended a special Good Friday service online, hosted by the C&MA. We stayed up late to watch it after we put the kids to bed, and after it was over, we spent time together in prayer to reflect on what Christ did at the cross. During our prayer time, Lisa looked up and spotted our empty slippers sitting nearby. Tearfully, she prayed,
“Lord, as I see the empty slippers in the corner of the room, I am reminded of all the homes and hearts that are newly empty around the world tonight. Slippers that will never be worn again because someone has died due to this virus. God, I’m burdened for all the people who are dying without ever hearing what You did for them on the cross.”
More than Numbers
These days the news is full of virus coverage, and rightfully so. It’s easy for us to be concerned about how this all affects us and our little corner of the world. But as I read the global news, I can’t help but make the connection between the virus and “gospel access.”
Some of the countries that have been hit the hardest by this virus are places like China, Iran, Italy, India, Spain, etc. In these countries the amount of deaths is astonishing. Did you also know that many of these countries are some of the most unreached places on earth? Many are less than 1 percent Christian, and among these people there is little to no gospel access.
The majority of these people have never met a Christian, and many have never even seen a Bible—let alone read one. Most of the people who die in these countries do so without ever knowing the person of Jesus Christ.
I’m sure many of you are like us, checking the “numbers” several times a week, if not daily. But have you taken time to look beyond the numbers? To see that behind each number is a name? To remember that each tally in the number of deaths column is a person with family, friends, a soul?
Does it bother you that people around the world are dying without knowing Christ? I believe it breaks the heart of God! Do our hearts break? This shouldn’t be something we tolerate.
Mourning into Mission
We are all grieving loss during these days. For each of us that looks different—grieving the loss of milestones, plans, and even dreams. We should mourn those things. If we don’t, our grief will trap us. But we should also take time to grieve the loss of people, especially those who don’t know Christ.
In wrestling with this reality, a passion for lost people can be formed in our souls—a passion that aligns our hearts with the heart of God and motivates us all for His mission. There is still hope! Our eternal hope is found in the person of Jesus. It should be this Savior and the unique truth and hope that only He brings that motivates us to share Him with all peoples.
A pastor friend of ours recently said, “When the rest of the world is in retreat, the church should charge.” What an unparalleled opportunity for the people of God to go after lost people like never before. No excuse should stand up against the call of God to reach those who do not yet know Him.
Stories are pouring in from all over of how God is using this time to bring people back to Him. I don’t know about you, but that is something I want to be a part of. Let’s love, proclaim, reach, and launch.
More Info
The majority of Alliance work is happening in these least-reached places. Many of our international workers are still on the front lines, caring for their communities during this chaotic season. Read more about how God is moving through The Alliance to bring people back to Him in our May/June issue of Alliance Life. If you would like to give or share a story of how your church is ministering to your community, please visit the Alliance Life page.
by Dan Lawrence, an Alliance international worker serving in France