Milk for God’s children.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19)
What kind of life would we be living without knowledge of “the elementary principles of the oracles of God?” (Hebrews 5: 12)
Many Christians live in remote villages in Pakistan. Poverty and illiteracy are more the rule than the exception. Less than 10% of Christian women read, and fewer still are the Bibles for those who can read. Men do the work that others refuse. To hear a visiting servant of God, the faithful will gather in the open unprotected from the heat of the day. They will have no place to meet when come the rains, for their church consists of carpets laid upon the ground.
They hear the T.V. preachers telling them how to get everything they want. “Speak to your condition with the words of faith and God will give you what you want. Speak to that devil in Jesus name and tell him ‘Stop stealing from me’. It works, look at me, so send me some money! Or better yet come to the city and give your testimony and offerings otherwise you may suffer.” The poor are preyed upon.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25) That’s what they need to hear, but they are poor and without a pastor. What kind of life do you think they live without the nourishment received by a steady diet of God’s word?
Their temptations of flesh are coupled with severe trials unlike those Christian face in the west. They carry the name of Christ in a place of persecution. Depression is the reward of men whose life offers little hope. Without strength of faith, that comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), there is misery. Their misery is filtered down upon the heads of those whom they are called to lead, their families. This is the great need, shepherds for Christ’s sheep.
Last December Our brother Sajid received a call from Shiekhpura, a village in an area of Pakistan called Poyanpur. They wanted to hear the word of God. A trip was planed for a Sunday morning visit. They left early, it was 3 hour trip, and arrived at 10 A.M. The villagers had gathered in an open area with a hunger to hear God’s word. Prayers ascended, and not long after our Father provided shelter for His children. They brought their best carpets to grace their new building.
That was the beginning of rural outreach. Since then they have traveled to other small villages (another one in Shiekhpura and one in Khushab) to teach about the person of Christ, with whom believers can have a personal relationship. Multi-media is used to help them teach the gospel message. Young and old are discipled to serve their community and to disciple others in the body of Christ. What a difference it makes being taught to study the Bible properly and learn the truth for yourself. Men who were addicted or abusive are changing as are the bad habits of the youth.
To quote Sajid, “It is on our heart to continue some outreach evangelism even on a monthly bases in such areas where they don’t have faithful Bible teachers, but a TV that mostly keeps on misleading them.” In this ministry Sajid has been joined by Ijaz, Imrana (GBS members) and Asad in Khushab. Pray for them as traveling distances in Pakistan places them in harm’s way.
Grace Believers Society
Vicki and I have been caught up in this amazing multi-faceted movement of God through lives that are committed to Him. GBS members are dedicated vessels led by the Spirit to feed heaven’s scattered sheep. God is connecting this small group with many Peoples and churches allowing the gospel to spread throughout Pakistan. I am wondering how many of my readers will be called to help in this harvest and experience our joy?
Father, You are Lord of the harvest and I am praying that Christians in the west awake to see that Christians belong to one household, Yours. We hold the means to provide for the needs of those who have dedicated their lives to proclaim the gospel of Your Son. What they have is freely given knowing that You will provide. Jesus has asked that we pray for You to provide the laborers for Your fields that are ripe unto harvest. So, in His name I am asking that the Grace Believers Society receives all the help they need. Thank you.
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
His Family Table 