In September, I was walking to a friend's house in Irbid, the second largest city in Jordan. I saw a guy taller than me and by the way he walked, I could tell that he was a hooper. So I engaged him and his friend in conversation, friending each other on Facebook as we departed. When I returned to Irbid a few weeks ago, I was able to meet with his friend, whom we'll call "N". We talked about basketball. We talked about life. I started to talk about faith and how the Qur'an says that Jesus did NOT die on the cross. To my shock, "N" said, "I believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins!" He began to tell me how his Muslim family had sent him to a Baptist school as a child. When he heard praise songs about the cross, he knew in his heart that Jesus had died for him. "N" thinks that maybe his older brother also believes but they feel like they cannot tell each other, much less their family. I was able to connect him with two believers who can disciple him, one in his hometown and one in the city where he attends college. One has yet to hear from "N" and the other said that "N" said he is busy but will contact him later. Would you pray that God would give "N" the courage to overcome any fear or whatever it is that would keep him from being in fellowship with other believers?
I just returned from 4 weeks in the Middle East. I was able to connect with 100+ brothers individually and attend 10-15 gatherings of believers. Many of these brothers have the potential to plant reproducing churches of gospel-centered, Arab families. Please ask God to give them the faith and courage to make it happen.
Here is an excellent 15-minute house church video by prof J.D. Payne.
The three Greek words that are translated as “preach” appear in the New Testament 128 times (kerusso, kerugma, and euangelizomai). Can you send me one instance in the NT of any of these words referring to a speaking activity that is clearly happening inside a church gathering, such as a sermon? Almost always, these words refer to evangelism. What most Christians refer to as "preaching", I believe the Bible refers to as "teaching". Solid teaching during the church gathering is important but according to 1 Corinthians 14:26 (didache=teaching), that teaching should be open to participation by others attending. I don’t promote “house” church but I do promote “participatory” church. Can you think of one verse in the New Testament that describes, much less prescribes, only one person teaching? If so, please send it to me.
My missionary friends are on all points of the missions spectrum. On one end of that spectrum, I have my gospel-centered, reformed friends. They emphasize clear gospel presentation, expository preaching, and biblical eldership. On the other end, I have my movement (CPM, DMM) friends. They emphasize abundant gospel sharing, house churches, and rapid reproduction of disciples. Being in the middle of the spectrum, I feel like I am constantly telling one side what we can learn from the other side. Would you pray for me as I engage in these conversations almost daily?
