As a Christian, you have received the precious gift of God’s Son and know his command to spread the good news and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:28–30). However, you are not ready to approach your church or further the conversation. Instead, you are overwhelmed by your fears.
As an Indian, these fears make your weak passport look bigger than your God. Your innermost desire for relational and financial security is greater than an unknown future. Your family may even disown you if you “foolishly” decide to quit your socially exalted pursuits and follow Christ where he is not named. The opposing elements are multi-faceted, and you need to process them with abundant prayer and wise counsel.
And yet, I want to show you how both the Bible and our culture empower Indians to go to the nations.
The Gospel Breaks Down the Wall
We should consider going because we have the gospel that unites the great divide and the secondary divisions. Indians have experienced a myriad of differences in language and culture. Our micro-cultures form us in many ways.
Sadly, this social structure also opens us to indifference or hostility to those who are different. We have lived through the challenges of inward cohesiveness and outward divisiveness of distinct cultures.
Yet, in Christ Jesus, the Father has crushed down the dividing wall of hostility between all people groups (Ephesians 2:11–21; Galatians 3:28). The Lord opens the church to be a place where all people can gather and love freely. Paul lived in this reality by seeking an undivided heart to fear God’s name alone. He subdued the pride of his heritage and accolades of his culture for a greater vision of unity in Jesus Christ and eternity (Philippians 3:4–11).
Gospel ministry to the nations can set free many who are captive to the deceitfulness of division and pride, including the Indian church. We can set an example of love for the lost soul over vainglory. Through the gospel, we can invite others to freely join the chorus of heaven where all tribes, tongues, and nations will come together (Revelation 7:9–10).
Indian Missionaries are Prepared to be All Things to All People
We should consider going because our culture and the Holy Spirit are adapting us to go. The Eastern world has a familiar understanding of hospitality, family, authority, and friendships. Concepts like shame, honor, family responsibilities, and related struggles need not be explained twice to us.
Concepts like shame, honor, family responsibilities, and related struggles need not be explained twice to us.
We understand life in a minority religion and know the persecution that can come from our family and beyond. We know Christ personally, not as an imported ideology. These values serve as entry gates for Indian missionaries to reach the people who have not heard the gospel.
Engaging with unfamiliar cultures may push us outside our comfort zones. Yet, the Spirit enables us to become “all things to all people,” so that the Lord’s gospel may save them (1 Corinthians 9:22). How beautiful is it when some of the adaptability to another culture comes naturally to us because that’s how the Lord is conditioning us in our country.
The Laborers are Still Few
With our hearts continuing to be shaped for the kingdom through his word and our culture, Jesus’ call for prayer is the most important consideration. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Mattew 9:37). The foremost solution he gives is to pray earnestly for more workers.
Yet, many of us are easily pleased with our comfortable lives instead of acting radically in praying boldly for his kingdom. Our churches are not completely mature until saints are on fire for the gospel to reach all the nations.
So, confidently pray that the Lord would raise more laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:38). And then, fearfully ask God to give you a heart that is ready to proclaim his “kingdom is at hand” wherever he leads you (Matthew 10:6; Mattew 28:18–20).
Reshma Mathews is the Women’s Care & Discipleship Assistant at the Evangelical Community Church of Abu Dhabi. She holds a degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She was sent by Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
