07 Mar Preparing the Way for Breakthroughs
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way… (Mark 1:1-2)
A few weeks ago, as I was reading the account of John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ, I thought of how it parallels with God’s call to us in mission. It resonates with you and I who desire to see the Gospel of Christ touching hearts and transforming communities.
I pondered: What does it take to prepare the way for fresh breakthroughs in spiritual and community transformation in a post-pandemic world of many uncertainties and challenges?
Foremost, John the Baptist demonstrated radical obedience to God’s call. He walked to a drumbeat different from that of the people around him. It was an inner reality from the Holy Spirit that moved him to do something about the woeful unpreparedness of his people for the Saviour. His response, to preach his message of repentance required radical obedience, one that eventually led to the loss of his life.
This reminds me of our Co-Mission Partners in different parts of Asia. Most of them have graduate degrees, are highly capable and entrepreneurial. All of them will have little difficulty in finding better-paying vocations or even migrating to more prosperous countries if they should so choose. Yet, they chose to live where they are, serving the communities that God laid upon their hearts, in faithful radical obedience.
Second, it can mean faithful service in obscurity away from the limelight. Great pastors, preachers, teachers, and top-level organisational leaders are the ones usually noticed by the Christian public. However, breakthroughs in mission often require the diligent work of many highly skilled Christians in diverse roles and functions away from the public eye. For some, remaining under the radar, is in fact, a requisite for effectiveness. John the Baptist recognized this when he said, “He must increase but I must decrease” (Jn.3:30).
Third, it requires an inner spirituality that motivates and integrates what we do. This is best exemplified by the many dedicated Christians who served with one of our partnering organisations, the United Mission to Nepal (UMN). Registered in Nepal in 1954, thousands (cumulatively) of foreign Christian volunteers have served with the UMN through its nearly seventy years of history. They chose to live in Nepal for prolonged periods, serving its people, particularly those who live in poverty.
The early UMN pioneers started with few resources. But through the years, they built institutions, infrastructure, and projects that have had lasting impact throughout Nepal. Their diverse projects and services ranged from hospitals and schools to resource training, from peace and reconciliation efforts to rural development and engineering/industrial projects, such as bio-gas, hydropower, wood industries, and engineering works.
They lived out an inner spirituality that enabled them to persevere in practical expressions of Christ’s love and teachings. In a context where evangelism and conversion is prohibited, their spirituality undoubtedly integrated a spiritual component that moved them to regularly pray for the peoples of Nepal. They longed for the day when many Nepalese would come to faith in Christ. This has now come to pass. Since the 1990s, Christianity in Nepal has emerged into what is now one of the fastest-growing churches in the world.
Fourth, but not least, the faithful work of diverse contributing individuals is required to prepare the way for breakthroughs. Again, taking the case of Nepal, the growth of the Church and the impact of the gospel is clearly not due to any single person or group. Rather, it is the result of the faithfulness and sacrifice of many of God’s people.
The actual building of the Nepali Church rested on the Nepali Christians themselves.[1] The initial community of Nepali Christians came to faith across the border in North India, particularly in Darjeeling. They longed to bring the gospel back to their ancestral land, but prior to 1951, their activities were restricted to the Indian side of the border. Some dared to cross the border to proclaim the gospel in Nepal itself, but those caught were quickly expelled.
The door opened slightly with the change of regime in 1951. Nepali Christians were allowed to return and gather as a church. However, proselytization or conversion was strictly prohibited. Nonetheless, the Nepali Church grew during the 1960s and 1970s, and exploded after the 1990s but at a heavy price for the pioneers. “It was often said that the birthright of a Christian in Nepal [was] one year in jail, but for [the] pastor who baptized the Christian, it was six years … [Pastors] were always prepared to accept the six-year jail sentence.”
The miracle of the Nepali Church today is the result of many Christians preparing the way – Nepalis and non-Nepalis, diverse mission agencies and churches, and personal efforts, big and small.
As we persevere in our praying, doing and giving, I am encouraged to know that we are not alone. Together, we prepare the way.
Shalom,
Rev. Chan Nam Chen (PhD)
Executive Director
[1] The details of the growth of the Church in Nepal are from Shrestha, R. P., & Harper, G. W. (2020). “Macfarlane’s Harvest: A Short History of the Nepali Protestant Community.” Journal of Asian Mission, 21(2), 29-59.