FROM R.K.'s corner
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XXXXXThe rampage of the random shootout at the Army Base in Fort Hood, TX, and the recent contoversial decision by the US government to bring the 9-11 terrorists to civil trial in New York City, have again brought to America a stark reminder of a present reality: There are enemies so full of rage and hate toward the Western civilization in general, and American citizens specifically, that they are willing to die a violent death in their effort to eliminate Americans, while being convinced they are serving god, XXXXXPoliticians and military leaders alike are confounded at the elusiveness of this enemy; they recognize that conventional weapons and strategies cannot win this war. |
XXXXXXbelievers in Jesus Christ have the ultimate weapon available to win this war, which is waged - not in the flesh, but - in people's hearts and minds: the power of the gospel!
XXXXXXThe Apostle Paul states in Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.."
XXXXXXHere, I am presenting you with an exciting piece of church history which involves the millennia-old Assyrian Church (to read about it, go to the left table and click on the two links mentioning Assyrians - History, and Assyrian Missionaries under the heading November 2009), and a modern representative of an Assyrian believer in Jesus!
.XXXXXThis fascinating part of church history which was initially obscured and supressed in the West, due to politics and power struggles, nevertheless represents the most expansive missionary effort ever effectuated: the spreading of the Gospel in the first centuries A.D. throughout the then known whole world, now dominated by Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism (also called the 10-40 Window)! Men and women from the Assyrian Church brought love where there was hate, peace where there was war, provision where there was lack. While they preached the love of God through faith in Jesus Christ, they reflected that love through their lives. It is said that, as a result, in the fourth century, there was a Christian church in every city and town in China and India.
XXXXXXOne of our co-workers, Sargon Daniali who is an Assyrian from Iran presently living in Kazakhstan with his wife and four children. In June 2006, I spent several days with Sargon and his family while I visited Almaty, Kazakhstan. He began to speak more clearly about a vision for his life God had given him years earlier, but by then had come more into focus: Tracing the ancient Assyrian Church of the East in predominantly Muslim countries, then re-establishing beachheads on those ruins for the Gospel by sending out missionaries to those places who are well trained and equipped in Central Asia! With others, he was in the planning stage of establishing a Bible Training School in Almaty for Silk Road missionaries who would be reaching the people living within the 10-40 Window with the love of Jesus - not from the West, but from the East!
XXXXXXWhen I visited Sargon and his family, again this last June, the new mission school was in session with 15 students — men and women mature in faith and dedicated to the Lord and His work. I was impressed and humbled!
XXXXXXPresently, Sargon is visiting the United States while sharing his mission vision among the Assyrians living here, of which there is a population of 300—350,000, and app. 50 churches. “You know the story of Elijah — God told him there were 7000 people in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal (1. King 19:18). I believe that the Lord will give me 7000 Assyrian partners who will assist in making this mission effort become a reality,” Sargon says.
what you can do
become a prayer-partner, by praying!
- for sargon, his wife nadia, their four children, his co-workers, aND THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING TRAINED TO GO OUT WITH THE GOSPEL!
- THAT PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO SARGON'S VISION of 100 MISSIONARIES being raised up AND readily go into the field to the unreached with the Gospel.
- that believers, especially within the Assyrian churches, will respond to this call call and become committed sponsors.
become a financial partner:
- Sargon needs to expand his personal financial base. If you want to support him personally, please mark your memo: Kazakhstan Workers 1B
- Please mark gifts toward his mission, the BIble Training School, and the missionaries: Silk Road Project
Thank You,
R.K.