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Go Out!!
Jesus’ last command was to go to all nations. Our hope is that all of our people, whether financially rich or poor, well-educated or illiterate, will spend a lifetime touching the deprived and needy. We expect all to ‘go’ in some way, leaving their comfort or safety zones.
THE POOR
The greatest number of people worldwide who have never heard about our Lord Jesus Christ are desperately poor for food, for blankets, for medicine, for water. They are not going to come to us to hear good news. We have to go there, wherever they are. We may have come into our inheritance, but we choose to cross over and help them until the Lord gives them rest.
THE THIRSTY
Imagine having no water! Millions of women worldwide spend hours every day collecting water. Water problems affect more than half of humanity. And half of all people in developing countries with a health problem suffer because of water or sanitation deficits. Many young girls become sick since they must wait till dusk before walking to where they can relieve themselves out of sight of the men. And over half a million children die yearly because of diarrhoea.
THE ALIENS
The present worldwide refugee problem may be the worst in human history, as there are now millions of displaced persons wandering, swimming, or taking leaky boats to find a better life and a better country. Many have been sexually abused or seen their children burned and charged extortionate fees by those who promise them freedom. Who wants them?
THE CAPTIVES, THE SLAVES
There are more in some form of slavery now than in any other time in history. Although the plight of many in debt-bondage, forced labour, sexual exploitation and trafficking is now public knowledge, very few have been set free. Violence, lack of specific legislation and non-enforcement of existing labour laws ensure that the oppressed have no-one to hear their cries, and no voice either.
I wanted to be able to help just one in the Walled City drink living water, taste the love of Jesus and get set free. Amazingly, as I aimed at the one, many more heard. There are people everywhere just waiting to hear good news and for us to obey the imperative: ‘GO’!
EVERYONE?
I cannot go to every place in Hong Kong or overseas, but I can imagine spending a lifetime in nearly every district or even in every street. If I cannot go myself I can, at least, send others as Jesus sent me. His last words to believers were to ‘…go and make disciples of all nations’ and that He would empower us by His Spirit to do so.
‘HOW ELSE TO SPEND A LIFE?’
We expect every believer to go somewhere at some time. Sending money and praying is helpful, but not a substitute for actually bringing Jesus in the flesh. We challenge all our people, young and old, (even the marrieds) to go where other people have not gone and where there are the poor who will not come for help unless we find them. We also encourage those who live with us to dream about where they might go and spend their lives helping others who are in desperate need, like they were.
‘If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no compassion on them, how can the love of God be in that person?’
The love of God may be expressed through a blanket, a rice box, a visit to the dentist, a shower or simply by sitting with the lonely. This gives us permission to pray with them – nearly everyone is open to this and thus many are healed. As this happens, so they meet Jesus. Through these outreaches, every week there are more stories of healings, changed lives, families restored and, best of all, people come back feeling they were the ones who gained the most by going!
YOU FEED THEM
All our congregations have their own outreaches to the poor and the lost. They train house group believers, enabling them to have the fun of going themselves instead of the team going for them. They learn together how to listen, when to speak and ask the Lord for the right words and actions.
We hope never to be simply a ‘distribution point’ but to make relationships with those we meet. Through this some may come to live in our houses, children may join our homework clubs, parents may come to parenting classes, we may visit their father in prison or help their granny who lives across the border.
We are not project-based but seek to be sensitive in how to meet the needs of every individual, whether or not we have an existing programme.
THE MOUNTAINS
When one group prayed they found a tribal people living up in the hills. They were so poor that some were tempted to sell their children when there were no tourists to buy their handicrafts. Year by year they revisited these people – and saw, amongst other miracles, a boy lame from birth begin to walk and food multiplied. From this grew their desire to serve in that country long term.
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
Many of us have gone to bring relief to stricken countries (e.g. to Japan after the earthquake) bringing comfort and counsel to the traumatised.
We took chainsaws to the Philippines after repeated earthquakes, fires and typhoons, and learned how to make ‘one day houses’, as well as bringing water and audio Bibles to thousands who had been made homeless. They loved listening (these audio Bibles need no batteries!). We’ve taken groups to other Asian regions on short term trips meeting the local poor and praying with them. Those who’ve been once have a hunger to go again.
HOW TO JOIN A MISSION GROUP
Find your house group leader or contact info@ststephenssociety.com