“You
guys might think I’m crazy in all this but I think it’s worth it to declare
Jesus to these people. Please do not be
angry at them or at God if I get killed.”
- John Allen Chau, 26 year
old missionary who gave his life trying to reach a primitive tribe with the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
John
Allen Chau was a missionary to several countries. He recently went to a remote Indian island to
tell a primitive tribe that he loved them, and so did Jesus. The tribe apparently killed him and buried
him in the sand.
Many
have since criticized Chau. I beg to
differ.
Do
not expect the secular media to understand or appreciate the concept of Christian
Missions. They usually don’t. But in this case, even many Christians have
condemned Chau.
We
do not know what was in this missionary’s heart. But I’m inclined to believe the best, not the
worst.
Some
may have considered Jonah a self-appointed missionary to Nineveh. Or maybe a thrill seeker. And he could have easily been tortured and
killed. Yet he was following God’s
will.
Virtually
every one of Jesus’ 12 disciples eventually died as a result of their
missionary work. A missionary dying does
not necessarily mean failure.
Perhaps
God calls some to go and die. We should
be careful to judge.
Sometimes
we are to hide from danger, or protect ourselves from danger; sometimes
not.
When
a people are in danger of going to Hell, some are willing to take heroic
measures to save them. Reminds me of -
Jesus.
~
Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and
dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He
who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. -John 12:24-25
NKJV
But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8
For More Information:
Update:
Despite
the need for effective entry methods to a people group, Eitel said, sometimes a
missionary may be called to attempt bold evangelistic campaigns that imperil
their lives.
"If
you can't contact anybody" in the group you're trying to reach, Eitel
said, "then try to only venture in when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that even if it costs you your life, that this is what God wants you to
do."
If
God called Chau to make such a sacrifice, Eitel said, his death may inspire
other missionaries to reach the Sentinelese and other uncontacted UUPGs for
years to come.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor,
November 26, AD 2018.
Other
Articles in lower right margin.
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