First of all, it is commanded of us to do so. This is the most obvious of reasons why we should be in the business of making disciples. Jesus said it himself (Matt. 28:18-19). Our obedience to this Great Commission comes when we step out in faith and do the work of the Lord.
Secondly, our personality gives us a better advantage to do so. This is because we are people-oriented. We are created in a much better way to make friends and to empathize with the people's feelings. We understand the cost of what it takes to know people and to identify with them. We are good at making long lasting friendship. We are also some of the world's best hospitable people.
Thirdly, because there are a lot of us already doing the job. I know of several:
1. The Ruda Family. A Chuukese family in Yap serving the church there for the last 20+ years. Pastor Asael is a graduate of MIBS, (Micronesian Institute of Biblical Studies) the predecessor of PIBC.
2. The Otoko Family. A Chuukese family in the United States whose mission work is focused on indigenous people of America and the Pacific. Mr. Paul Otoko is a graduate of MIBS.
3. The Suka Family. Mr. Sato Suka is the President of the MOMUSA group. A ministry in the United States aimed at reaching islanders. The son, Gary Suka is a musician who sing a mixture of raggae/pop Christian music.
4. The Nedlec Family. Bert and his wife are members of MOMUSA. They head the Pasadena, CA Division.
5. The Yatilman Family. Mr. Lawrence Yatilman is a Yapese who is also a member of MOMUSA. He heads the San diego division.
6.The Lodge Family. Uncle Herbert and his wife, Aunty Siwine, are also a member of MOMUSA. Both of them are graduates of PIBC, recently changed from MIBS, in its infant years.
7. Billy Edwin. A Chuukese Missionary in Kenya. Mr. Edwin caused quite a positive stir in the Chuukese churches to start a mission support fund for him. Mr. Edwin is only 27 years old.
8. The William Family. Mr. Ancherson is a graduate of PIBC and is now a current student at Grace University. He heads a small Chuukese Bible study in his neighborhood. He is also involved in outreach ministry in his neighborhood.
9.Ray Chiwi. Mr. Chiwi is also a graduate of PIBC and is now a teacher at Rita Christian school in the Marshall Islands.
10. Ms. Edina Ludwig. This young lady is a protege of Mr. Paul Otoko. She recently came from a ministry training in Europe.
And the list goes on: Mr. Bualuay, Ms Daunny, Mr. Kieki, Mr. Kin, The Petrus Family etc.
2 comments:
I was blessed to be on a mission trip to China with Billy Edwin in 2004 (and several other PIBC students) Billy was a very effective cross-cultural witness in China and made a real impact there in just a short time. I saw in China how well Micronesians do with cross-cultural relationships. I am excited that Micronesians are thinking and acting missionally to reach OUTSIDE the islands. Thank you Happiness for an informative report on this.
Happiness,
Thanks for creating a "meeting place" for Micronesians, and some outsiders like me, who are interested in missions.
I hope that some others will take advantage of this opportunity.
It has been a privilege for the church in the USA to be senders. That willingness to go and the commitment to support those who do go is diminishing here in my culture. One of the cool developments has been the way in which some other people groups have picked up the challenge.
I agree with Happiness. Micronesians are likely candidates to reach out cross-culturally. Praise the Lord for those who already are.
I hope that some of the Micronesians who live in the West can weigh in on this discussion. I think you folk are in a unique position. There are some serious errors that Western churches have made in the missionary endeavor. One of those errors is the process by which independent churches have gotten missionaries to the field--or in many cases failed to do so.
My hope would be that the Micronesian church can avoid some of the problems that we brought to the process.
Howard
Post a Comment