The following is an account of the initiation of indigenous mission support by the Larry Ramsour Evangelistic Association in a land where conversion to Christianity is considered a crime. Because of the sensitive nature of this article, and its potential harmful effect upon Christians, the name of the country is not given and city names are changed. True names of individuals within the country are also changed to protect them from possible harm. For information on the availability of a video presentation depicting our work in these sensitive areas, see the bottom of this page. INDIGENOUS MISSIONS
IN A LAND OF PERSECUTIONStatistical Updates Made March 15, 2007
In the region of a mighty mountain range in Asia, there is a small country dominated by an idolatrous, polytheistic religious system. The population of this small nation is approximately 27 million. It ranks among the poorest countries of the world, with an annual per capita income of less than $200. Even more tragic is its spiritual impoverishment. 90% of its inhabitants bow before pagan gods--more than 10,500 false deities.
Reliable statistics reveal that in the early 1940's there were no known Christians in this land. In the early 1950's the doors to the country were opened to the world for the first time in 200 years. The advance of Christianity, however, was very slow. By 1960 there were only 25 known Christians in this pagan country. As the Gospel spread, the persecution of Christians began to increase. Laws were enacted making it a crime to convert to Christianity. A minimum jail sentence of one year was mandated for anyone baptizing another into the Christian faith.
Through the years native Christians have suffered martyrdom, stonings, and imprisonment--along with social and economic reprisals. In spite of (and perhaps because of) the intense persecution, Christianity has grown and flourished there. Then-reliable statistics revealed that in 1990 there were 50,000 Christians in the land. More recent estimates (Campus Crusade for Christ) indicate that there may now be as many as 1,000,000 Christians. Such information is cause for rejoicing, yet sobering at the same time, for these figures, at most, represent less than 4% of the total population of this unique country.
In 1986, while attending Billy Graham's World Congress of Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam, I was introduced to the spiritual needs of this idolatrous land. It was by Divine providence that I met a native Pastor-Evangelist, and by the Grace of God we have developed a life-long friendship and a joint ministry in reaching the inhabitants of this region with the Gospel of Christ. In the intervening years it has been our joy to be extensively involved in the ministry there.
In 1988 I journeyed alone to this idolatrous land and spent 21 days during the height of Christian persecution there. At that time more than 150 Christians were languishing in prison for the "crime" of doing nothing more than sharing their faith in Christ. Nine of those days were spent in the hot, squalid town of Bunone --a seedbed for radical pagan religionists. At night I walked the dark streets to the little room where Christians gathered to sing, pray and share testimony of their faith. On one occasion I preached to approximately 30 believers on the side of a mountain overlooking the city. The experiences of those days were beyond words to express. While there, groundwork was laid for a more effectual under-girding of this fledgling ministry.
In 1990, political unrest fueled by gross poverty and Communist agitation led to an insurrection in the small country. During the days of the uprising thousands of people gathered in the streets. The military fired on the crowd, and according to some estimates, up to 200 people were slain or injured, including children and innocents. As a result of this upheaval, the leaders of the country acquiesced to the demands of the people and agreed to a new Constitution. One of the unexpected results of the revolt was the release of all Christians from prison during the summer of 1990. In December of that year Christians held their first open-air meeting in the history of the country.
In the 1990s, the work had expanded to two congregations, one in the capital city. Late that year we established a fund for the purpose of providing more adequate living arrangements for God's indigenous servants, as well as for the purchase of properties for future ministry expansion.
Meanwhile, the response of the friends of our ministry was gratifying! By mid-summer of 1991 it became evident that I needed to travel again to the country, with property funds in hand. In October of that year I returned--this time with a dedicated Christian layman, Vern Morse, of Slidell, Louisiana. We took with us items that Vern had gathered: a large duffle bag full of clothes and a guitar for worship. My luggage also contained gifts and articles that I felt would be helpful
to the indigenous servants whom we support.
Southern Baptist missionaries to this country, for the most part, have been limited to medical, technological and certain educational roles. The government prohibits traditional missionary roles, such as overt efforts to reach the populace with the gospel of Christ. Thus, the basic ministries of evangelism and church planting have been dependent upon the work of indigenous Christians. The growth of Christianity in this pagan land is evidence that unless traditional and indigenous missions both work hand-in-hand, the prospect of impacting any nation for Christ is diminished significantly. It is certainly true of this idolatrous nation! In a country of
22 million people, a "handful" of "foreign" missionaries can only do so much. Five hundred, or even 1,000 evangelical missionaries would be overwhelmed by the magnitude of such a challenge in a land saturated with paganism. Indigenous missions is a must! Our support of
our indigenous pastor-evangelist associate and his ministry is a long-term commitment!
He is one of the most courageous and Godly men I know. Work has grown from one congregation in 1986 to
approximately 30 churches, worship groups, fellowships and/or preaching
points. Emphasis is upon winning converts and establishing believer groups in various locations throughout the area.
Co-laborers are serving these newly-founded fellowships! Our subsequent mission trips to this country have provided us with opportunities to teach and train native
Christians. Our most recent trip to this country was in the late Spring
of 2003. During this 15-day mission, I was able to see the fruit of our
long-time spiritual commitment and financial investment in this land where the
Gospel is flourishing against great odds.
Please pray for this work! The door of opportunity may not be open long! A governmental civil code states that no one is permitted to propagate his religion. If one is convicted of this "crime", he will be sentenced to three years in jail. If a person causes someone to change his religion, he is subject to six years in prison. Christians must share their faith "while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work." --John 9:4
This is a condensed account of Larry Ramsour Evangelistic Association's involvement in indigenous Christian missions in a land of persecution and religious repression. For further information you may contact: ADDITIONAL PRINTED MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE,
INCLUDING OUR QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, THE ENCOURAGER, AND ARTICLES CONCERNING INDIGENOUS MISSIONS WITH ACCOUNTS OF PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS.
NOTE:
LREA,
Inc
PO Box 68
Winnsboro TX 75494
PHONES: 903/342-3089 or 6959
FAX: 903/342-3075
As dates of these promotional opportunities are limited, interested churches and pastors are encouraged to make advanced contact with our office. Size of the church or mission group makes no difference. Invitations are received on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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