Author: Wallace, Steve

There are many needs in other countries which can only be met by the financial contributions of brethren in North America. (This is an understatement if there ever was one!) That having been said, it is tragic to note how many churches and brethren have soured on supporting overseas’ work because of either the actual abuse of funds or the fear thereof. Further, all would lament the bad that has come from unwise use of funds. Let us all do our best to take care in our use of the funds we raise for mission work “avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us” (2 Corinthians 8:20).

Most English-speaking brethren are aware of the weaknesses of various translations in their native tongue and have learned to deal with them. Likewise, we can deal with such problems in other languages. (In Lithuania, where Russian is understood, we use the Russian Synodal Version to show the proper rendering of Psalms 51:5.) Let us be aware of the dangers of possible errors in translations and be zealous to give proper explanation of God’s word.

Much has been done in our generation to spread the Gospel in many different places. The success has been such that, as one brother has noted, the sun never sets on the Lord’s kingdom. However, as in Paul’s day, the spread of the Gospel has not been effected only by those involved in actual mission work, those who have supported these efforts have also played a major role. We seek to detail their contribution herein. Let us first note how congregations have helped.

I am sure I join with everyone in wishing for consensus of opinion on all matters in all churches. However, the material question here is this: Is consensus necessary in order for a church to act in any matter? We answer in the negative in light of the apostles’ actions in Acts 6:3. They decided first and then told the brethren their decision.

Open doors are part of the basics of serving God. One who seeks them diligently and uses them faithfully will be blessed in his work. Continuing to seek them will cause one to be useful to God over the long term. Open doors are especially important when applied to the work of those in mission fields. Seeking them can be the difference between success and failure.

Brother Ferrell Jenkins gave the above lecture in the Puckett auditorium as part of this year’s lecture series. This writer was in attendance to hear this lecture. Later that same evening, I had the opportunity to talk with Ferrell about it, differing with some of the things he had said. When the lecture was later transcribed I wrote an informal review of it which was circulated via e-mail. This review led to a brief exchange of posts with brother Jenkins via e-mail. In all of my dealings with Ferrell, Ferrell has been kind and I certainly have no axe to grind with him personally. It is simply a case of his speech deserving a more formal review because of its implications on matters troubling brethren today.

A church like Ephesus is not likely to come into existence by chance. Rather, planning, sacrifice, and persistence are needed, and that on the part of men who are themselves grounded in the faith and have a love for the souls of others. Missionary zeal is to be commended. However, it can be emphasized to the point where it overshadows such necessary attributes as we have discussed herein. Let us channel our zeal to the end that we may be what we need to be and do what we need to do to establish churches that will stand the tests of time.

Will it take a massive increase in instances of AIDS infection to wake brethren up concerning the shamelessness manifested in the way many Christians dress? Will we wait to be led by the world to do that which the Bible so clearly teaches? Not if we walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).

Certainly churches should carefully consider who they support and where they send those they do support. However, the argument that a church can not send a preacher to a church in some place, especially in a mission field, is clearly not in harmony with the New Testament. We should beware lest false arguments hinder us in carrying out the great commission in our day (Mk. 16:15-16).

It is disappointing to see a historian of Ed’s caliber show such a lack of objectivity and be so obviously biased against the truth as he is in the above reviewed chapter. All in all, in spite of Ed’s other writings which influenced this reader’s view of the above reviewed chapter, brother Harrell has authored a book that is worth reading.

Working with an interpreter is not a daunting task. It can even make preaching easier because one has more time to think in between sentences. If we will recognize some of the possible problems such work presents it will help us to avoid them and be more effective in teaching the Gospel via this means. Hopefully, this article will aid brethren in achieving these ends.

Jesus told his disciples to go “into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). The book of Acts gives an account of the apostles and early preachers executing this commission. Indeed, their examples give impetus for our efforts in preaching today. We sing song like “The Gospel is for All” and “Send the Light” in the spirit of such work. However, in light of this emphasis on “going,” we must not forget another and just as important part of our efforts to teach the gospel, consolidation.

While several lessons might be drawn from what we write herein, the main one concerns some things that will, hopefully, help one effectively teach or preach through an interpreter. Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). Prepare yourself and be familiar with your subject matter. It is generally good to avoid attempts at humor. Do your best to make sure what you are saying is being understood. When done correctly, working with an interpreter can be an effective means of preaching the gospel.

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul tells Timothy, “Do the work of an evangelist.” Evangelists are mentioned among those the Lord gave the church “for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). They thus have an important place in God’s plan for the church, the saved. As the title indicates, the purpose of this article is to tell what place in God’s scheme an evangelist has.

The author’s personal reflections on his ministry in Germany.

Darwin said the fossil record would prove his theory, but time, excavation, and research have not shown this to be true.

As we noted in the introduction, brethren in the first century had to deal with the logistics of their work and, as we have seen, so must brethren today. All told, such logistics usually demand a large amount of time and money. Sometimes preachers are said to “only work a few hours a week.” Hopefully, the things brought forth in this article will give a greater appreciation for what men in different places go through to preach the Gospel.

In spite of what has been in the past, today is a new day. Use it to serve God. Discouragement will come. What will it make of you? Please remember Paul’s view of all such affliction: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Deal with discouragement properly. Let it have its proper “work” with you.

Many are the nice places to live in America. However, there are places outside of America where it is also pleasant to live. These places are also mission fields in need of the Gospel. Hopefully, this article will help prospective workers in their view of preaching in Eastern Europe and lead to further efforts in the Lord’s work there.

History tells us that Don Carlos Janes was one of the most zealous advocates for foreign missionary work of his day. We are told that he traveled 9,000 miles to visit various mission fields in the year 1919 alone, and that he conducted a world tour in 1920. However, our feelings towards him are tempered by the fact the brother Janes believed in premillennialism. Earl West writes of one of the results of brother Janes’ work: “Clearly, then, premillenialism reached out to touch the vast mission fields over the world.” (Search for the Ancient Order, Vol. 4, p. 204) This brief look into the past should cause us to be circumspect in our view of mission work in our day. This is especially so in light of the convictions some brethren today have expressed with regards to unity.