 |
 |
|
 |
 |
I
strongly believe that biblically, missions rise out of
the local church. In the first century, the church in
Jerusalem sent Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and many
others to preach the gospel, make disciples, and plant
churches.
At SIM, we believe the Church is still called to be the
source of missions. As a mission organization, our job
is to partner with churches and equip them to fulfill
Christ's Commission. In addition, we partner the
church "here" with the church "there"
to form mutually beneficial relationships that strengthen
both churches and empower them for more effective ministries.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
When Jimmie
and Gloria Johnson first arrived in
Rundu, Namibia, they were
welcomed with enthusiastic singing.
This choir had no keyboard, no guitars,
no instruments of any kind to accompany
them, but their voices blended together
beautifully in songs of praise to Jesus.
Yet when Jimmie and Gloria thanked the
people for their beautiful musical welcome,
their response was unexpected. In essence
they said, "We love to sing, but
we don't really know this Jesus
we sing about. Who is He?"
From that moment, Jimmie and Gloria
knew their task was clear--to introduce
these people to Jesus--to answer
their question, "Who is this Jesus
we sing |
| In
an effort to answer the
question, "Who is
this Jesus we sing about?"
Jimmie and Gloria Johnson
(far right) led a group
of Namibian believers
in an intensive two-year
Bible study. |
|
about?" Clearly, a Bible study would be the best way
to accomplish this task. Unfortunately, only
a few of the people had even portions of Scripture.
Even though Bibles were readily available
in Namibia,
in rural communities like Rundu, they were
simply unaffordable.
 |
 |
| The Bibles for the Bush program has made Bibles
available to more than 1,200 people who otherwise
could not have afforded a copy of God's Word. |
|
|
Bibles Available to Everyone
The task before the Johnsons was twofold.
First, they would start a home Bible study
for 12 to 15 of the leaders. These leaders
would commit to participating in the study
for two years and would then go out to train
others. Second, through SIM's Bibles
for the Bush project, the Johnsons would
make Bibles affordable for the people.
As the Bible study progressed, Jimmie and
Gloria praised God. They watched their Namibian
brothers and sisters grow in their relationship
with God and become confident in what the
Lord could do through them. Many became
bold in their faith and in their personal
lives. Some went back to school; others
started small businesses. Many began to
teach and participate in church activities.
And the key to each of those "success"
stories was simply knowing and applying
God's Word. According to Jimmie Johnson,
"The foundation of everything we say
and everything we do should be the Bible.
It is the Bible that molds and shapes us.
It strengthens us, and through it, we can
realize our fullest potential."
That's why SIM's Bibles for the
Bush program is so important. By placing Bibles
in the hands of the people, we are giving
them the opportunity to grow into mature,
fruitful Christians. We are also following
in the great tradition of William Tyndale.
In the 1500s, Tyndale believed so strongly
in the need to make Scripture available to
the common person that he dedicated his life
to (and was eventually killed for)
translating God's Word into English--the language of the people. In a heated discussion
with a blasphemous member of the clergy who
was opposed to his efforts, Tyndale proclaimed,
"If God spares my life, I will cause
the boy that drives the plow in England to
know more of the Scriptures than the [religious
leaders]."
Like William Tyndale, we are convinced that
the way to God is through His Word. Because
of that, Bibles should be available to everyone--not
just the clergy, not
just the wealthy, but to the boy who pushes
the plow in England--and with your help,
to the people who sing about Jesus in the
African Bush.
Project Number 94268
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
