Ministry in Iowa City
To Our Ministry Partners,
Last October, I accompanied my brother, Bob, to Kurdistan. Bob returned to Kurdistan recently in order to train Kurdish believers principles of ministry. His report to me (below) highlights the importance of ministering in strategic places.
Hi Bill, It was a good trip. Smaller class this time, but good interaction. We had dinner one evening with Bayan, the same lady who had you and me to her home for dinner last time. Bayan told us more about their vision for Refugee camp ministry. It is the same vision you have for Global Crossroads ministry. They want refugees, when they eventually return to their homes to take the gospel with them and spread it like wildfire. She told us about a young widow she led to Christ. She didn’t think this lady would respond because she was a committed and trained Muslim. Her husband was an Isis fighter and was killed on the battlefield (probably by us). Well this lady responded to the gospel like Saul did, and her life turned around just as quickly. Bayan was discipling her and she was eating it up. One day the authorities came around and told her that she was going to be deported from Kurdistan because her husband fought for Isis. She had lied to them about how her husband died in order to be allowed in the refugee camp. Now when they discovered the truth, they sent her away. She returned to her home village near Bagdad but stayed in touch with Bayan online. Bayan felt that she was not ready to stand for Christ on her own but had no choice in the matter. To Bayan’s surprise, this lady began to minister in her village, preaching the gospel to men and women alike. She led some of them to Christ and baptized them. The most amazing thing about this is that this lady’s village is still full of Isis fighters who permeate the area. They are literally her neighbors. She is evangelizing and baptizing right under their nose. The vision works! They want you to come back again. Several people asked about you.
I (Bill) just wonder—Should we do something about this? Kurdistan is a Muslim area of the world, friendly to both the West and to Israel. It is a rare place within a Muslim country where Christians can share their faith freely. It is a place of human misery, including large refugee camps, where there does not appear to be much hope. And yet, it is a strategic place where people are on the move, globally. A perfect place to do gospel ministry. The believing community is small and in great need of theological and practical ministry instruction. Kurdistan could become a launching pad for making disciples across the Muslim world. Should we be joining our Savior in this? Tomorrow: Ministry in Iowa City
Thankfully serving the Lord,
Deb and Bill
Support Information
To Our Ministry Partners,
Recently Deb and I made many new acquaintances from around the world at a picnic hosted by Friends of International Students in Iowa City, Iowa. We found the people we interacted with to be very receptive to friendship. It is an incredible opportunity for those who endeavor to live the Great Commission to become effectively involved within close proximity to their home. For us, even in a small city in Iowa, we had the opportunity to meet and engage people from the four corners of the world.
A week or so ago, we helped a Christian family from Nigeria shop for winter clothing. Adapting to Iowa winters when you are from Nigeria is no small matter:-) There is a significant Nigerian community in Iowa City, which we hope to engage, perhaps with the help of this Christian couple. Deb and I started doing this type of thing over 30 years ago when ministering at University of Notre Dame. Some of those who we helped live life in the United States later became Christians.
When the incarnate Jesus ministered on earth, He revealed Himself to be the Messiah by ministering to people’s needs, people who were themselves waiting for the Messiah, who would care for them. The Savior’s ministry was authenticated by the way He cared for people. This is part of the theological basis for why we minister in this way.
Deb currently has several language partners. We have found that helping individuals with their English skills is an excellent way to communicate genuine care for them, which is a prelude to sharing the care of the Savior.
By the grace of God, during this fall season we have engaged folks from three different continents. It is our prayer that these acquaintances will become genuine friends, which will become gospel opportunities.
Our fellowship is in the embryonic stage. We need prayer for everything; new, not-yet-Christian friends, evangelistic Bible studies, effective administration, and wisdom managing family and ministry priorities. Please pray for the Global Crossroads Ministry Fellowship as it matures into a body of international believers, who are able to minister the gospel, globally.
Thankfully serving the Lord,
Bill and Deb