I cannot emphasize too much on the importance of the message of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The coming of Jesus was solely purposed to save sinners from their sins. It has been known as ‘the good news’ (Gospel). Those who have heard the Gospel message have heard Matthew 28:18-20, too. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Many men and women have responded to this call and gone into different parts of the world. However, in this postmodern era, the efforts to fulfill this Great Commission have been ridiculed and tarnished as a sign of bigotry and intolerance. Some people even accuse the Great Commission as the root of hate crime. Reynolds Price once said in Time magazine (December 6, 1999, p. 94) that this Great Commission has heavily contributed to the evils of national and religious warfare, institutional and individual hatred, imperialism and enslavement.” What an accusation surely it is! Society does not want to see us praying for certain groups of people to be saved because it reflects our conviction that only Jesus saves sinners. Such ideas are found not only outside of the church, but also inside the church. We are confronting not only the world but also the postmodern churches.

However, we must know and understand one simple but profound truth. Man’s ideas come and go. When modernism dominated the minds of people, they ridiculed the Biblical truth. Now we are living in a post modern era, and postmodernists ridicule not only Christian faith but also modernism. Yesterday’s crown of thoughts (modernism) became obsolete today. In one corner of academia, some discussions are already on the way to dethrone postmodernism from it throne. But, the Christian faith and truth have been standing firmly for two thousand years. Who wants to die for modernism? Who shall be an eternal witness for postmodernism? However, there have been hundreds of thousands, or millions of people who have given up their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ. It is because the basic human needs have not been met. When a man stands before the ringing bell of death, he knows that he is not the king and master of his own life. All men die because of sin. There is no one who is righteous to earn his own salvation. Thus, the message, “Jesus saves,” is still valid. The purpose of evangelism is not to make people rich and healthy, but salvation of souls. We do not want to see our beloved ones suffering in eternal damnation. Thank God that Hope church is a mission minded church. Thank the Lord that she has been able to send out a few mission teams in the past and will do it again in the future. I pray that the Hopefuls are always ready for this privilege in prayers. Our prayers for missions must grow with our faith. If we started our work in Jerusalem, it must grow to Judea, Samaria, and to the utmost end of the world.

I recently read a newsletter from Kenya. It was from a missionary who has been in the country for more than 30 years. She has never been married. As a single missionary, she has been traveling in many remote places and leading various Bible study groups. I have heard about her ministry before and found that she is a worthy person to be honored. However, at the moment she needs more support for her work. She receives U$ 380 per month for transportation, medical bills and housing costs. This amount of money does not amount to her needs. Thus, she made an appeal to the Independent Board to allow her to raise U$ 200 per month more to cover her expenses. It was approved and she let people know of her needs through her prayer letter. While I was reading her prayer letter, my heart was touched and moved. So, I made a request to the Independent Board to send me some more information about her. The following is the letter from the Board.

Miss Judith Collins
Appointed: May 16, 1970 Home: Truro, Nova Scotia, CANADA

Judith became a Christian in her last year of High School, and became a school teacher and taught for several years. God’s call brought her out of teaching to prepare to serve the Lord. For several years she studied theology and Bible studies, missions studies and Bible Survey by correspondence.

Appointed to the IBPFM in 1970, Judith never tires of teaching Church History, Current Church Developments, languages, and other classes at the Bible College of East Africa. She has always gone on safari to youth rallies, women’s meetings and courses in the training of Sunday school teachers. She has edited a 9-year Sunday school curriculum for the African church.
In 1984 Judith resigned from The Independent Board yet continued in Kenya as an independent missionary. Then in 2002 Judith rejoined the Board, continuing her teaching responsibilities at BCEA as well as opening up a new area in working with the Rendille people in northern Kenya. There she has been influential in bringing the Gospel to them as well as being an instrument of God to provide a school building for the primary age children.

I wish that Hope church will be able to adopt her as her missionary. It is not easy for a single lady to serve the Lord in a country like Kenya for more than three decades. Only with determination to serve the Lord, she has been there for so long. If we do not support such people, who will do it? If every department in Hope church will be able to raise a bit of her support, then we may be able to support her financially. Though we may not live in a mission field, we can support missionaries to fulfill the Great Commission. My target amount at this point is U$ 100 per month. I am talking about long term commitment till she finishes her duties before God. Sunday School classes, Teens, YAF, Ladies, Bible study groups, and other individuals, would you consider her to be your missionary? May the Lord give us all wisdom and heart for missions!

Lovingly,

Your Pastor

More Lively Hope

© Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
14 Bedford Square, Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia 5041