NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2004
MCGN is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization promoting spiritual renewal and economic development of the people in Mizoram and the surrounding region by serving them as Jesus did. (Mt. 20:28)
"The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Mt. 9:37-38)
I have been blessed by “Perspectives” on the World Christian Movement class which I am attending at the invitation of the co-ordinator for Northern California, Bruce Logan. I want to pass to the readers some important points briefly for challenge and encouragment. It is a 15-week course and the company of Ngeni to travel with me to Reno, Nevada for the class has sustained me. Our desire is to inform our local community in global missions by using Perspectives. We see a great potential for mobilizing Christians in our community for missions. Before that can happen, I need to prepare myself first by completing the course. Ngeni and I got a lot more than we bargained for in these evenings with great missionary speakers and meeting with like-minded people.
The first point is the legitimacy and necesscity of the two-structures of God’s redemptive mission, discussed by Ralph Winter at the 1973 All Asia Mission Consultation. These structures are: first, nurture-oriented and structured fellowship such as a local congregation; and second, task-oriented and structured fellowship as a mission society. The congregation at Antioch and Paul’s missionary band is a clear example. The local congregation strengthens and supports the mission board; and the two structures work together in symbiosis.
The early church blended the two structures harmoniously in which the task-oriented mission work is carried out through the monastic movements. The monks spread the blessing of the Gospel to the world. Unfortunately, early Protestant Reformers abandoned the second structure for nearly 300 years with virtually no mission outreach. They had no mechanism for missions. Later, William Carey called Christians to “use means” or organized mission structures, to complete the commission of Christ. He faced difficulties from church leaders. Note that Carey and others that follow his example did not necessarily get permission before they started new mission structures. We shall discuss as our next point the requirements discussed by William Carey.
Protestants began to form denominational or interdenominational mission societies with great increase in number of missionaries sent to overseas. We may call this as First Era (1792-1910) of missions. In the ensuing period, the once-independent structures became dominated by denominational leaders. This situation caused health and problems to mission expansion, leading to non-denominational “faith missions.” We may call this as Second Era (1865-1980) of missions. Hudson Taylor is a well-known pioneer missionary of this era.
There has been doubt expressed concerning the legitimacy of mission structures by denominational leaders. Such attitude by the sending churches predictably discouraged newly planted churches to form mission structures to send their own missionaries. Today, there are “Third World” missionaries with little missionary or national church support.
The mission work by mission societies, such as Campus Crusade, Operation Mobilization (OM), World Vision, etc. are well known. What they have done can not be achieved by the churches as presently structured. They are supported by believers from various churches and denominations. For example, the large ships purchased and operated by OM are very effective for evangelization but no single church or denomination would take such an undertaking. The same will be true for Campus Crusade for Christ and other mission societies. The mission society is a church as much as it is composed of believers for the purpose of doing God’s redemptive mission in the world. They must be strengthened and supported by the local churches in symbiotic relationship.Are Mizos descendants of Jews or Israelites? Some Mizos believe that they are the descendants of Manasseh, elder son of Joseph (Gen. 41:51), who lost the right of firstborn (Gen. 48:14). They built a temple in Aizawl, Mizoram. Over 200 immigrated to Israel in recent years. This belief excited them and turned away from the church. The issue became a controversial issue in Mizoram for the church and politics. Dr. P.C. Biaksiama studied the issue carefully and recently wrote a book “Are the Mizo descendants of Manasseh?” The proponents challenged for a debate on this issue and was concluded on Monday. Pray that our heart desire should be to stand firm in our faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no Jews or Gentiles in the Lord. Believers are descendants of Abraham in faith. We understood that the debate went well. Praise the Lord for saving us!
Frank Dietz’s Visit to Mizoram: Evangelist Zauva informed us the latest news of their ministry. We expect to hear whether they will be willing to host if Frank Dietz, Minister at Large with Operation Mobilization (OM) International, can visit Mizoram early next year. We are sad to hear that Frank decided not to go to Mizoram in February 2005. One reason is that we cannot give him the answer in time. We hope that Frank will be ablt to share his global mission vision there as a challenge and encouragement.
Mizo Electronic Bible: J. Vanlalhruaia (Mahruaia) is working on integrating the Old and New Testaments in our Mizo electronic-Bible project. Oncc he completes, we can release to the public, either in CDs or at our website. We are always in need of technical support and we are thankful to have him in our team.
Mission to the Unreached Peoples: The secretary, the Lairam Baptist Church of Jesus Christ in southern Mizoram, informed us mission component of their budget adopted in their annual meeting. We are encouraged by the increase in mission budget and clearly shows a healthy growth. We consider mission as a priority for the church in sharing the Gospel, especially to unreached people groups. In recent years, the church has been sending out teams of missionaries to unreached people groups in Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. We will share their work as we receive information from them. Praise the Lord for our brothers and sisters there in their witnessing for Christ.
Open Door to China for Mizos: Recently, a few Mizos were able to go China as English teachers in educational institutions. By that, they became “tentmakers” to share the Gospel in their lives. They meet the needs of the people there and have a chance to share their belief in Jesus Christ. You can see their stories (mostly in Mizo) and pictures at a new website, http://chinamizo.bravehost.com/. Pray that more Mizo people will be able to be of the Lord’s service in this way, to China and other places. Opening the door for ministry this way is exciting and we thank the Lord for their pioneering march to the outside world for His Kingdom!We received from Rev. Harold Kurtz a report on his recent trip to “Russia and Siberia.” He is a Senior Associate of Presbyterian Fellowship in Portland, Oregon. He seems to be doing and working more than ever before. There is no retirement for Harold!. What a missionary for the Lord and an example for us.
God said, “In the last day, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy,” (Acts 2:17-18.)
If we believe that we are in “the last day” as referred to above, we should listen and be aware of it. When the Spirit comes to us, we will have the power to witness (Acts 1:18.) This is the power for witnessing, not because of our title or position in the organization, but of the Holy Spirit. It is given to anyone who hear or listen to the Spirit. Do we see the power pouring on all people – young and old, men and women; rich and poor; or free and slaves?
If you hear, see, or feel from the Spirit; listen! It could be that God is calling you to do something new. If you hear the voice, respond to it like Samuel did. If you don’t understand it, ask your spiritual adviser for counseling. When Samuel heard the voice, he did not know it was God’s calling. He went to his master, the chief priest Eli and enquired if he (Eli) called him. Eli advised Samuel how to respond to the voice, possibly of God’s calling.
As leaders and parents, if young people hear something like this for advise, please listen and pray with them. It could be God’s calling. Teach them how to listen and respond. Encourage them to obey to the calling. Pastor and elders, be aware of the work of the Holy Spirit among your congregation. If you see something moving from the Holy Spirit, support and encourage with open mind. It could be the calling to your congregation to do something through that person(s) or small group(s). God knows how to use anyone who is willing, including the foolish ones (1 Cor. 1:26-31.) The Lord will pour out His Spirit in the last days that can happen any day. May we receive Him gladly and obediently.MCGN International HQ: USA: Lalliana Mualchin (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
Original Webmaster: Jeff Mead (Email: ***)
News Compiler: Ngeni Mualchin (Email: mualchin@hotmail.com)
News Editor: Patricia Macy (Email: pamacy@netzero.net)