In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Most of us have heard or read these verses. Some ignore them. Many believe it is best for them just to focus on the people they run into on a daily basis, recognizing that there is plenty of work to be done right around us. A precious few take the words to heart and dedicate their lives to taking Jesus to the people that have never heard his name spoken. Carole Ward is one such person. Her parents were missionaries, and she has dedicated her life to spreading the Word of Jesus to the people, beginning in Africa's Sahel region. The region has extreme climates and is dangerous with more than half of the world's terror-related deaths happening there. She is now serving in Chad, ripe with residents immersed in ISIS and Al Qaeda. Why would she choose this area to spread the word of Jesus? Because so few others would. Digba Katsala was baptized in the first missionary training school offered there, along with 202 others. He now travels into towns on his motorcycle sharing the good news of Jesus.
Caroline and I have friends who are leading a ministry that helps young adults figure out if they might want to be long term missionaries by providing training and extended visits to the least reached areas of our world. While the areas are not generally considered dangerous to Christians, spreading the word of Jesus to the local people is illegal - and if caught, they would be asked to leave the countries where they are serving. While we have not felt the calling to travel there ourselves, we have felt called to support their ministry, and will continue to do so as long as we are able. I pray that you will listen for and hear God's voice as we attempt to fulfill The Great Commission.
This post was inspired by this article at CBN.
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