Is There Going to be Anyone From the Nations Praising God Because of Me?

Is there going to be anyone from the nations praising God because of me?

By Laura-Jean Watson

Bruce McMartin is part of Vision D’Antioche in Haiti.  The name was taken from the church in Acts.  Their desire is to see the Haitian church get the vision of evangelism and discipleship that the church in Antioch had and send missionaries like the church in Antioch did. Bruce explained that the Haitian people were brought as slaves from West Africa.  It is like the story of Joseph.  God meant it for good so they could come here and hear the Gospel and take it back to their brothers in West Africa in Muslim countries.  At a missions conference at the seminary, photos were hung up from National Geographic showing people in different countries.  The reaction from some was, “Are these real people?”  They were totally amazed at the people in the world who needed the Gospel and their eyes were opened to the fact that Haiti is not the last frontier for the Gospel.  We as believers have a responsibility to share the Gospel with the world, and this is a new concept for many Haitians. 

A Haitian who went on a medical missions trip to Senegal was amazed to realize how rich the Haitian church is spiritually.  He stated that Sunday school teachers in Haiti have more understanding of the Bible than some pastors in Senegal, because they don’t have any training there. 

God touched Roger’s heart at a mission’s conference in Haiti with the verse in Revelations 7:9-10 where it talks about “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” and they are praising God.  He wondered, “Is there going to be anyone from the nations praising God because of me, what I did?”  He ended up going as a missionary to Senegal. “He is in his fifth year as a missionary in Senegal, and God is doing amazing things there.”  This is a Muslim country, but most are Animists.  As black, French speaking people who can understand those caught in spirit worship, they are ideally suited to share the Gospel with Senegal.

Bruce explained that it all has a ripple effect.  Roger goes to Senegal.  He encounters a man named Serge from West Africa who is there as a student.  Serge accepts Christ and his life is changed.  “The next day he is on the streets-nothing- no food, no home, no money, no job, no anything.  ... Serge grows in his relationship, and he is concerned for his family who are Animists, spirit worshippers. … The Haitians take an offering and send it to Senegal so he can buy a ticket and go home and share Christ with his family.”  He is able to share Christ with his family and he is sent on to another village to work on planting a church there.

Jean Baptiste Wadestrant added that, “Haitians have the mindset that we are poor. … We can’t take care of other people.”  “We are working hard to help people understand that while we are working at home, we need to be concerned also about those elsewhere.”

The Bible does not say go and make disciples of all nations once you own a car or a house or earn a certain amount.  The Haitians have realized that the command is for them as well as other Christians.  One pastor encouraged his congregation to find a way to support missionaries.  “If you own two shirts, sell one.  If you own two pairs of shoes, sell one.  If you own two dresses, sell one.”  The people responded, and missionaries were sent.  What are we willing to give up in obedience to God’s commands?  What is more important to us than obeying Christ?

Dr. Jean Dorlus added, “We are very rich- spiritually”.  Pastor Dave Hyatt said Antioch was a very large city with a very small church, but they were willing to send Paul and Barnabus, two pillars of the church, out into the world.  Dave added, “We grow when we are sending.”

Someone asked, “If it costs $1,600 to come to you, would you rather I give you $1,600 and stay here or would you rather have me come to be with you?’  Dr. Dorlus replied that it depended on the situation.  There are needs that do not require human touch or technical assistance, but even then, sending money one time without further contact does not build a relationship.  You don’t know what’s going on.  Not everyone can go, but all can contribute in some way, but it may help the church to actually go and see what‘s going on.  Dr. Dorlus told the story of an American friend who went to school with him in America and would complain about poverty in the United States.  “He took me to a place in the U.S. where he said there was a lot of poverty.  I looked around and saw that everyone had cable television, at least one car, electricity, and water, so I was not moved.  He was very unhappy with me.  He thought he had never met such a calloused man in his life. … He came to Haiti, and right at the airport, he understood.  The trip changed his life.  He complained less about issues in the United States.  By giving the money and not being involved, it removes that kind of life changing experience for you.” 

Dave Hyatt agreed that although giving money does change your heart for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”, but the experience going is powerful.  Mark added, “It really comes down to recognizing there is leadership and there is vision.  There will be opportunities … to give, to go, to pray, to be transformed, but ultimately, our mission is the same.  It is sanctification, becoming more like Jesus.  If that involves writing a check, there is going to be a time where a check needs to be written.  If that involves going and getting your hands dirty and experiencing something that you can’t experience writing a check, you need to go.  Ultimately, it is about us being a Gospel witness to the people that are around us- holistically.  That means the people around us in Haiti, the people around us in Indonesia, the people around us in Staten Island, and the people around us in Hummelstown. …What is it that God is calling us to do to take the next step in that process of transformation?  What’s the stereotype that I need to tear down?  What’s the prejudice or belief that I have in my worldview that’s not correct? 

“God has all the money He needs for whatever, but He wants our hearts to be transformed.  Sometimes it is through giving.  Sometimes it’s through going.  Sometimes it’s through praying.  Sometimes it’s through going through something else.  Sometimes it’s through going through a significant trial.  We get way more out of relationship, so ultimately, that’s where the focus is.”