I have an idol on my shelf. It is a bird god carved out of wood and worshiped by some indigenous peoples on Borneo. It was given to me after I spent a summer on their island. The god it represented was one of their local deities and would have no power in America. But they thought I would like to have it as a memento of our time together.
The concept of local gods is found around the world and across human history. By contrast, as Paul explained to polytheists in Athens, our Lord is "the God who made the world and everything in it" (Acts 17:24, ESV). Jesus commissioned us to share His love with all nations (Matthew 28:19), literally all ethnos or "people groups." And He told us how to do it: "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Acts 1:8 is in the New Testament because it is still God's plan for us. Today He is using unprecedented means to help us fulfill His perennial purpose for His people.
As you know, refugees are flooding into the West as they flee violence at home. The vast majority are Muslims coming from lands where it is difficult if not impossible to send Western missionaries. We could not go to them, so they are coming to us.
Meanwhile, Google is launching balloons it intends to use in building a global Internet network. The Internet is becoming more available to more people than ever before. It is being used by the enemy to advance false religions, pornography, and crime. But it is also being used by God to take the gospel where it could not otherwise go.
God redeems all He allows. He is redeeming the global refugee crisis and technology boom by enabling us to share Jesus with the world. How can you join Him?
First, reach your Jerusalem. Define your personal influence and resolve to maximize it for the gospel. Ask the Lord to show you those people He is calling you to reach personally, then pray for them by name and follow the Spirit's lead as you share Christ's love in yours.
Second, reach Judea and Samaria. These were regions around Jerusalem where the early Christians could go as missionaries. Ask God to show you missional ministries He would have you join as you take the gospel to your region and beyond. Pray about ways you can support such ministries through intercession and finances.
Third, reach "the end of the earth." Ask God to show you whether He is calling you to overseas missions engagement. If He is, seek His leading as you partner with those who are called to your assignment. And help send others where you are not called to go (Acts 13:1–3).
East-West Ministries and Denison Forum work together to equip Christians in engaging their culture and reaching their world. It would be our privilege to partner with you as you seek to fulfill your Kingdom assignment where you live and around the globe.
As you partner missionally with us and other believers, you will answer Jesus' prayer "that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me" (John 17:23). You will plant trees you'll never sit under. And one day you will hear your Father's commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).
Is there a greater privilege?
Jim Denison bridges faith and culture by engaging contemporary issues with biblical truth. He founded the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture in February 2009. Since that time, he has spoken to over 100,000 people. He is the author of seven books, including his most recent, Radical Islam: What You Need to Know. Dr. Denison writes a daily column available at www. denisonforum.org/subscribe. His free column is distributed to 114,152 subscribers in 203 countries.