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Visiting Kalmyk Communities in China and Mongolia – Report by Sarang Badeev

My name is Sarang Badeev.  25 years ago, I came to faith in Christ in Kalmykia.  For 15 years, I pastored the church which had been planted in the capital city, Elista, in the early 1990ties.  For the last ten years, I have been traveling and preaching the Gospel to Kalmyks who live in other countries, especially in China, Mongolia, and the United States.  The following is a travel letter from my last visit to Kalmyks living in Central Asia and China.

The Mongol-speaking Kalmyks are Western Mongols.  Their language is different from that of other Mongols, so some linguists think that theirs is an archaic and ancient Mongolian language.  Following after the Huns, Avars, and other ethnic groups, Kalmyks are the last nomadic people who crossed the steppes of Asia and reached Europe, where they settled.  They are also the only people who later managed to migrate back to Asia from where they came, although half of them remained in Russia, where they today live in the Russian Autonomous Republic of Kalmykia, located between the Black and Caspian Seas.

Kalmyks are monotheists (believing there is only one God).  That comes from the fact that in the past, the Kalmyks were Christians, evangelized in the 7th century by Nestorian missionaries who were sent out by the East Assyrian Church.  This makes it, to some extent, easier to preach the Gospel among them. For example, in Kalmykia Russia, they are monotheists in mindset, therefore easily understand the doctrine of God’s Majesty, his Power, and his Unity.

In China, Kalmyks remember well that, in the past, they had been Christians.  Several have told me, “When we were Christians, we were strong.”  This makes a bridge between them and me when I preach. Centuries later, while the Kalmyks in China were under the rule of the Qing Dynasty, they were introduced to and embraced Buddhism.  Presently, Buddhism plays a big role in their lives.  In their Buddhist temples, they have their own ethnic priests. Despite the fact that the majority of Kalmyks in China lead a nomadic lifestyle, they make a point of visiting these temples, which are their religious centers.  In Russia, the Kalmyks are not Buddhists in lifestyle; nevertheless, the religion is deeply ingrained in their minds.  It is more their identity marker – who they think they are.

They accept and respond to the Gospel and agree with everything the Scripture states, but they fear they will lose their ethnic identity if they abandon Buddhism. Repentance and conversion to Christ could have been massive if it weren’t for this fundamental fear, since they are more monotheistic in their mindset and drawn to the Gospel.  I believe and know that God will break this barrier.

Sociological research has shown that the Eastern Mongols identify with the East. i.e. Japan and Korea; the Kalmyks identify themselves as Western, as they live closer to Western values — having a more open mind, being not as easily blinded by their culture, they are more quickly transformed by the influence of the Gospel.

MY VISIT TO CHINA

included three autonomous districts inhabited by the Kalmyks:  Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia and the Qinghai province.  For several years, I have been traveling to  the Xinjiang province, where I pastor a church of 38 Kalmyk nomadic believers who live and move within a large area. 

Missionary work is most often focused on evangelizing people in the cities, but the countryside is often overlooked.  Since the people I minister to are nomads who roam with their herd across the foothills and high mountains of this province, constantly looking for new pastures, I move with them to these places. They are rarely stationed in the same place for very long.  These are the people I am primarily seeking to reach with the Gospel.  It is a difficult endeavor, as it is necessary to cover long distances, sometimes going to hard-to-reach places.

I was told about a man, 80 years old, who was a hunter and lived by himself, isolated from other people. In order to find him and give him the Word of God, I employed a local guide. We traveled first by car, then on horseback, and then we climbed on foot up steep hillsides, high up into the mountains, where he lived.  He was a wonderful man. Despite his age, he had single-handed taken on a bear with just a knife.  I shared the Gospel with him.  He told me that we Kalmyks used to be Christians, and that we had our own Bible, and our own church called the House of Worship – and that Buddhism is not ours, it is Tibetan with Tibetan words and names. He wanted to receive Jesus Christ into his heart. I asked him if he really wanted to accept Jesus.   He said Yes, so we prayed, and by faith, and he accepted the Lord!

I have translated some of the books of the New Testament into the  Kalmyk language. The senior generation of Kalmyks in China speaks the Kalmyk language verbally, while young people both speak it and prefer to read Christian literature in the language. The Old Testament and many of the books of the New Testament are not yet translated.  When I am not traveling, or have time in between trips, I focus on the  translation work, but it is a slow process that I wish would go faster.

When I left Xinjiang, I placed one of the believers in charge of the church.  He was arrested by the police and kept in prison for a time, but was later released.  The Christians are growing in faith and knowledge.

IN INNER MONGOLIA

the Kalmyks live in an area called Alashan. Basically, it is a nomadic community where families live and wander in desert and semi-desert regions, and in vast nature reserves where many rare animals are protected. Some of the Kalmyks living in Alashan are descendants of a group who, in the 17th century, traveled on a pilgrimage from Russia to Tibet.  On their way, they were detained in Alashan, and ended up settling and live under Chinese authority. They still live in Alashan today.

Although I have not had much time to preach there,  I have talked with  many Mongols and Kalmyks about Jesus.  There are now a fellowship of 14 people who have come to faith in Jesus. 

When I was in the home of the man I left in charge of the church, a picture of the two of us was taken against the background of the national flag of external Mongolia, because the Mongols in China love the flag of the state of Mongolia.  There we are, two Mongols from different parts of the world, united in brotherhood and faith in Jesus Christ!

Another group of Kalmyks live in the province of Qinghai. This group of Kalmyks arrived during the time of the intervention. In the 17th century, they conquered Tibet, and became the military ruling class. They have a very good relationship with their fellow Kalmyks in Russia, as they remember that many of their people migrated to the West.  So, when I visit them, they happily receive me with warm hospitality.  The entire group of about 100,000 people are constantly on the move, roaming with their animals from place to place, from pasture to pasture.  Vast, destructive sandstorms coming from the surrounding deserts are not uncommon.

In Qinghai,  there are seven Christians who have come to faith through my preaching, but they live isolated, separated from one another by large distances.  When circumstances allow, they visit each other’s homes and communicate together.  In order to meet these people individually while on the move, I travel widely to different places. This gives me the opportunity to come across many remote villages where I stop and share the Gospel.  It is a necessity to have the use of a rental car, which adds to my travel costs.  I am looking for partners who will help sponsor my ministry and the cost of reaching the Kalmyk living in these remote parts of the world, that the Great Commission of  Matthew 24:14 may be fulfilled!  Pastor Sarang Badeev.

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

SARANG BADEEV is a native from the Russian Federal Republic of Kalmykia, located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea — the only Buddhist people in Europe. Sarang, who came to faith during the Soviet era through a the work of a brave American missionary, Andrew Vincent, is pioneering the Gospel in his homeland and among his people who still live in their ancient communities within China and Mongolia. 

The below links to two prior Bridge Reports on Kalmykia gives you the fuller, fascinating story on Andrew, Sarang, and the Kalmyk people – a clear demonstration of God’s love and heart for the ethnos:

https://www.bridgeinternational.org/2015/02/

https://www.bridgeinternational.org/pdf/may2010.pdf

Last year, Sarang visited Kalmyk communities in Mongolia; and mountainous areas of Xinjiang in the north western part of China, where the majority of the Muslim Uighur people live. In an effort to  curb ethnic uprisings against their regime, it is believed that the Chinese government is detaining more than one million Uighurs in detention camps.  Kalmyks living in the region are also among the minority ethnic groups oppressed by the Chinese. Sarang’s message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus is a new, powerful message to his people. 

This issue is given to Sarang’s 2018 Travel Letter.  Sarang is again ready to travel back to China and Mongolia.  If you want to partner with him in reaching the Kalmyks with the Gospel, please mark you gift 8156 Kalmyk Worker. Thank You!

 

 

 

 

 

The 2018 Annual Bridge Report

Dear Friends and Partners:

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1. Thessalonians 1:2-3

We thank God for all of you who continue to take an interest in the work and ministry of The Bridge. We have mailed  the 2018 Annual Bridge Report and official contribution receipts last year’s donors.  A special thanks to those of you who shared with people in your church or fellowship the testimonies and stories published in The Bridge Reports, with the purpose of praying and interceding for those who labor in the mission field.  Your love and interest enable us to continue serving the Harvesters whose labor of love brings light and hope to so many living in darkness and despair.

2018 IN REVIEW—REFLECTIONS

In society at large in the United States, last year saw an improvement in the standard of living for many people who were struggling financially.  Due to a growing economy, the number of new jobs within many sectors soared, bringing new life to many needy communities.

Yet, it was a tumultuous year with a marked increase in expressions of dissatisfaction, anger, divisiveness, and hate between groups of people who reject the notion of “the American Way”—freedom to live in peace with one another while “agreeing to disagree” in a civil manner.

We are in the midst of a spiritual/cultural war between ideologies. The Judeo-Christian world view was always the bedrock; the glue which held our society together with a common understanding of basic Biblical moral values, adherence to the rule of law, equality under the law, and respect for the individual’s rights. It is increasingly challenged from all sides by those who want any expression of the Christian faith eradicated from society.  The fundamental phrase in the Constitution, which guarantees the individual’s rights is, “…endowed by our Creator…” — not given by man, or governments, or the politically correct in society at large, but given by God.  The adherence to the Christian faith made America exceptional!  This must be removed, they say.  Herein lies the core of the  battle!

The impact on the church at large is a diminished focus on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.  But Jesus’ words are still relevant, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The teaching on the Great Commission has largely dissipated from the pulpit. Many of the traditional missionaries have had to return home, banned by denial of renewed visas by foreign governments which are increasingly hostile to the Christian faith.  Being questioned at home by well meaning fellow Christians about the validity of “proselytizing” peoples of other religions and cultures, the missionary, once respected for his/her faith and courage, has become irrelevant in the church.   The above describes an overall trend. It does not include the many Western missionaries still being effective ambassadors for the Lord around the globe.

God used the church in Western civilization to pioneer and establish the Christian faith in large parts of the world.   In the last half-century, however, there has been a distinct shift, whereby the indigenous believers, having internalized through their own languages and cultures the Bible message of God’s love and redemption by faith in Jesus Christ, are now ready and willing to bring that message to the rest of the world.  They are carrying the banner of Christ to complete the Great Commission to all nations!

We are privileged to partner with our many indigenous Gospel workers on several continents, and also with a few  outstanding Americans and Europeans called to the mission field abroad. We call all of them HARVESTERS. They are not commissioned or sent by Bridge, rather, every one of them individually heard and responded to the call of God, and in obedience followed the Holy Spirit’s guidance; they carry the vision, wherewithal, responsibility, and authority for their own unique, individual ministries. They exemplify the Apostle Paul’s words in  1. Corinthians 3:6-7, “ I planted, Apollos (Paul’s co-worker) watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”  The Bridge come alongside them to serve, guide, and help add to their resources as needed, with the goal that they will continue to gradually become fully self financed.   Your donations helped lighten some of their burdens.

2018 IN REVIEW—THE HARVESTERS

The hostility and persecution against Christian believers keep increasing in the world.  Some of our partners choose to live and minister openly, and have given us permission to share their testimonies and field reports in our publications.  Others, for obvious security reasons, work more effectively clandestinely; therefore they are not mentioned in our official reports. If you sponsor one of them, please free to contact us, and we will provide you updates.  Characteristic of all the Harvesters are their clarity of vision, personal sacrifices, courage, endurance, and hope; standing firmly in faith in the face of serious setbacks and apparent insurmountable problems.  

ANDAMAN ISLANDS –  VARUGHESE and his wife need prayer as they continue to care for the children in the two orphanages they manage, and various unreached indigenous peoples on the island, in spite of his struggle with severe diabetes, and her physical limitations after being in a serious car accident.

BOSNIA – ROBERT and SANDRINA had a fruitful year.   A generous gift from one of our donors helped them finally complete the process of taking ownership of  the Lighthouse facility, located in the Muslim section of Sarajevo.  It provides living quarters for them, offices and space for Sandrina’s growing Pro-Life Woman Center, and a meeting hall for fellowship and ministry to children and teenagers. Another building was secured for their Rafael Church where they conduct Sunday services.

INDIA – Last year was tough for DAWA, an ethnic Tibetan and former Buddhist from Bhutan, his family and ministry, Himalayan Good News Networking Ministry.  The Indian government is oppressing ethnic minority groups with other belief systems than Hinduism, which is being promoted as the only legitimate religion in India.  This has also affected Dawa and his Christian ministry.  However, he and his team continue to raise up pioneer evangelists, train leaders, and send church planters  into some of the cities, as well as villages in the more remote Himalayan mountains between Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Tibet.

KALMYKIA –  SARANG is a native from the Russian Federal Republic of Kalmykia, located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.  They are the only Buddhist people in the West. Sarang, who came to faith during the Soviet era through a brave American missionary, has been pioneering the Gospel in his homeland and among his countrymen who live in diaspora.  Last year he visited Kalmyk communities in Mongolia and several villages in the remote mountainous regions of Xinjiang, located in the north western part of China, which is the home of the Muslim Uighur people.  China is oppressing them in an effort to  curb ethnic uprisings against their regime.  It is believed that the Chinese have detained one million Uighurs in detention camps to control the province.  Kalmyks living in the region are also among the minority ethnic groups oppressed by the Chinese. Sarang’s message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus is a new, powerful message to his people.  Sarang fell very ill while in Xinjiang, but is now restored to health.

KAZAKHSTAN –  YERMEK’s ministry continues to expand among his people in Karaganda and beyond.  It is apparent that the Lord is bringing him into a broader sphere of leadership throughout the many Kazakh fellowships in the country.  Last year he was asked to preach at regional and national conferences in his area and in Almaty.  He also had an opportunity to participate in a Central Asian church conference in Cyprus.  His vision is to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to help bring forth committed people of faith who find their identity in Christ through their own Kazakh language and culture.

KENYA  – PAUL continued to teach, train, mentor, and disciple the Pastors of the Least , who live and minister hope among the poorest of the poor in the Kiberia slum on the outskirts of the capital city Nairobi. The pastors graduate each year from the Disciple Support Ministry’s school with the Word of God imbedded deep into their hearts and minds, as the program ensures that the Bible is studied line upon line.   They are proof that the power of the Word of God transforms lives!

TAJIKISTAN – RUSTAM and ZAMIRA whose ministry are among children of Muslim and Gypsy families, moved from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan with their two children to continue their evangelism, in spite of learning that the government had just made it unlawful to “proselytize” (meaning sharing the Gospel with) children, and also banned children from participating in religious activities. They cautiously continue to meet with families and children and share the love of Jesus with them.  Rustam carries a burden of helping fathers build good, healthy relationships with their children.

TURKEY –  SARGON who had for several years traveled from his home in Kazakhstan to minister to Turkish and Iranian believers in Turkey, finally moved permanently with his wife and two youngest children to Turkey.  There, his ministry is flourishing and expanding.   Sargon’s online Bible teaching course in Farsi kept progressing very well for the Iranians in Turkey.  It also reaches believers inside Iran, also providing them access to learning the Word of God.  Every quarter, he conducted Biblical leadership conferences for Iranians, and, in cooperation with a Korean church, established a part- time seminary of Biblical  studies for future Iranian pastors.  He also networked well with the Turkish communities of believers,  and was often invited to come and minister in their churches.

 SOUTH SUDAN – MATTHEW continued evangelizing among his people in the capital city of Juba, and adding to the flock of believers.  He lead two congregations in the city, and was able to finish building  a new church facility on his property, due to generous donors through The Bridge.  It is necessary to be sheltered during the rainy season.  He and a team of ten of his leaders traveled to Uganda to minister among the thousands of South Sudanese refugees congregating in the capital city of Kampala.  Matthew is an evangelist at heart, and, as such, preached at a number of rallies in various contexts.

SOUTH SUDAN—WILLIAM and his team made an extraordinary effort  to rebuild the mission center, the farm, and the radio and outreach compound near Nimule, after warring factions had destroyed so much.  A donor helped toward the completion of the media center building, from which daily radio Gospel programs are beamed in many tribal languages across the region, reaching several hundred thousand people.

BLESSINGS  to those of our HARVESTERS not mentioned here, and those of you who invested resources into their lives and ministries.  Again—THANK YOU!   R.K. Ulrich

 

2018 Bridge Thanksgiving Greeting

Dear Friends:

As we once again enter the festive time of thanksgiving and focus on all the blessings in our lives, our thoughts are with our Harvesters for God’s Kingdom around the world and those of you who for years have supported them through The Bridge with your prayers and finances.  Thank you for being collaborators with us in the Great Commission!

The images above display pictures of some of the men and women and the countries in which they serve who are part of The Bridge network.  There are others in our network, however, they work underground, due to security reasons, therefore  they are not depicted here. Most of our field partners live in some of the most dangerous and inhospitable parts of the world where there is great hostility to the Christian faith.  Steve and I personally know them, and I have personally visited many of their home bases and observed their fruitful ministries in the nations.  We know they live sacrificially and frugally—their passion is to effectively use the resources they receive to reach as many as they can with the life-transforming message of God’s love through Christ Jesus!

Thanks, again to all of you who already are investing resources into the hands of harvesters! You are sowing into good soil!  If you are not yet a financial partner with us, would you consider joining the ranks and begin supporting one of these families with a specific monthly contribution?

For those of you who send your donation by check via postal mail, you may continue to send your gift that way. However, there are a couple of safe alternatives in donating through The Bridge online  which may be more convenient for you:

  • Automatic Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), also called Direct Deposit: Monthly withdrawal from your bank account into The Bridge bank account in a set amount of your choosing.  Please download the EFT form, fill it in, and send it with a canceled check by postal mail to the address provided on the form, which you will find at:  https://www.bridgeinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Bridge-ETF-Form-Web.pdf
  • Donate via PayPal by debit or credit card, which may be a one time gift or a preset amount at time intervals of your choosing.  You will find the yellow Donate button at the top right on this page.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family and friends!  Blessings,  Steven & Ragnhild (R.K.) Ulrich

 

 

Faith, Culture, and Politics – a Perspective by R.K. Ulrich

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

I always seek to remain faithful to the commission the Lord gave me in 1983 — “be a bridge, don’t build one”  — be a bridge builder of relationships between God’s people here in the States and those living and serving among people yet unreached by the Gospel in other nations, that they also may hear the Good News and be saved.  Every month, for information, edification, and encouragement to our partners, I present stories in The Bridge Report of testimonies from men and women who joyfully, sacrificially, and with great courage serve the Lord and His people in some of the most challenging and dangerous places in the world.

Once in a while, however, I take a sidestep to feature a story pointing in a different direction.  In this issue, I will endeavor to shed light on an alarming cultural shift in the United States taking place before our eyes.  It seems to be replacing liberty, safety, and peace — the hallmark of the American way — with a discourse and behavior from people in public places that comes close to anarchy and mob rule.  “What is happening in America?” my friends abroad are asking. Please allow me to give you a perspective from being a foreigner who have made my home in the States for the last 45 years.

In the 2016 May issue of The Bridge Report, six months before the Presidential election, I presented an article on Christian Faith, Politics, and Culture from www.gotquestions.com.   There, the issue was raised: Should Christians be engaged in politics and the current culture? As followers of Jesus, what are our responsibilities in this realm as citizens of God’s Kingdom, and the kingdom of this world?  Read the full article:

https://www.bridgeinternational.org/2016/05/ 

Following are some excerpts from the article:

“It has been said that “religion and politics don’t mix.” But is that really true? Can we have political views outside the considerations of our Christian faith? The answer is no, we cannot. The Bible gives us two truths regarding our stance toward politics and government.

  1. The will of God permeates and supersedes every aspect of life. God’s will takes precedence over everything and everyone. What He has purposed, He will bring to pass, and no government can thwart His will (Daniel 4:34-35). In fact, it is God who “sets up kings and deposes them”  (Daniel 2:21), because “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17). A clear understanding of this truth will help us see that politics is merely a method God uses to accomplish His will. Even though evil men abuse their political power toward their own end, meaning it for evil, God means it for good, “working all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
  2. must grasp the fact that our government cannot save us! Only God can! We never read in the New Testament of Jesus or any of the apostles expending time or energy schooling believers on how to reform the pagan world of its idolatrous, immoral, and corrupt practices via the government. The apostles never called for believers to demonstrate civil disobedience to protest the Roman Empire’s unjust laws or brutal schemes. Instead, the apostles commanded the first-century Christians, as well as us today, to proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate lives that give clear evidence to the Gospel’s transforming power.   

The church’s unique, foremost God-given purpose does not lie in political activism or reform. Our mission lies in changing hearts through the Word of God, The Bible. When believers think the growth and influence of Christ can somehow be allied with government policy, they corrupt the mission of the church. Our Christian mandate is to spread the Gospel of Christ and to demonstrate His standards through our daily living.  Only as the hearts of individuals in a culture are changed by Christ will the culture begin to reflect that change.

Believers throughout the ages have lived, and even flourished, under antagonistic, repressive, pagan governments. This was especially true of the first-century believers who, under merciless political regimes, sustained their faith under immense cultural stress. They understood that it was they, not their governments, who were the light of the world and the salt of the earth! They adhered to Paul’s teaching to obey their governing authorities, even to honor, respect, and pray for them (Romans 13:1-8). More importantly, they understood that, as believers, their hope resided in the protection that only God supplies.  (The same applies to our Bridge partners, most of whom at this very moment live under repressive governments).

Perhaps the best way to understand our responsibilities in the social/cultural arena is to look to Jesus as our example.  Jesus lived in one of history’s most corrupt societies.  He did not come to earth to be a political or social reformer. Rather, He came  to make new creatures (His people) holy through the saving power of the Gospel and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. When people’s hearts are changed by Christ, godly governments and institutions will follow. What we need is not better government, but redeemed men and women who make better leaders in government!We are to be IN the world, but not OF it!  Part of being in the world is modeling Christ-likeness to the world and Christian love toward one another.

SO – HOW ARE WE THEN AS PEOPLE OF FAITH TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO TODAY’S ISSUES IN POLITICS AND CULTURE?  

There is no question that the Judeo-Christian worldview and values have been the underpinning of Western civilization, which means the common values shared by Judaism and Christianity, as expressed in the Bible.  It was the bedrock for the three documents you see here, The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), The Constitution (June 21, 1788), and The Bill of Rights (December 15, 1791).  These three documents, collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, have guaranteed the rights and freedoms of Americans for over 200 years.

“WE THE PEOPLE… We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.“

Replica of the United States Bill of Rights, documenting the 10 amendments to the US Constitution.

Most of the Founders were not what we today call “born again believers”. Some of them even questioned the deity of Christ. Nevertheless, they understood that their society’s values and conduct were derived from the absolute moral laws of the Bible.

They believed that humans are created in the image of God, which led them to design institutions and laws meant to protect and promote human dignity. Because they were convinced that humans are sinful, they attempted to avoid the concentration of power by limiting the national government to carefully enumerated powers. The Founders were committed to liberty, but a liberty restrained by absolute moral laws.  They never imagined that provisions of the Bill of Rights would be used to protect licentiousness. And they clearly thought moral considerations should inform legislation.

WHAT DOES THE ABOVE HAVE TO DO WITH CURRENT EVENTS, YOU MAY ASK. MY ANSWER: EVERYTHING!

We have just completed the most ugly, bruising, divisive, and cruel hearings in the confirmation of a new Justice, Brett Kavanaugh, to the Supreme Court. To understand what happened, a movement  still growing in intensity, we have to see beyond the ugly rhetoric and conduct during this process.  It drew deeper battle lines between the two political parties in Congress, the Democrats and the Republicans, and deepened the divide in the population, which had become more evident in the last two Presidential elections.

An intense  war is raging in this country and throughout the Western world at large between two ideologies—not between the two kingdoms Jesus spoke of, “…My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), and “…Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17) — but  within the kingdom of this world on views of governance. The battle is between the Judeo-Christian World View, governed by the rule of law based on the Constitution, and the Secular Humanist World View, also called the Postmodern Neo-Marxist ideology, governed by situational ethics.  That means there is no need for God, man needs no outward moral guidance or restraints; he has the power, wisdom, and ability within himself to establish new laws as society evolves and changes.

What made the Kavanaugh hearings so brutal was that his confirmation would result in a majority (5-4) among the Justices who interpret the law in light of the Constitution — a situation the opposition vehemently opposed.  Their main fear, among other issues, is that the Court with Kavanaugh as the swing vote, might strike down the controversial Roe vs. Wade law on abortion. Several  states permit a woman to terminate her baby up till the day of birth.  In their fervor to win, politicians ignored a cornerstone in the law – from the Bill of Rights, which declares that all are equal before the law, and that a person is presumed innocent till proven guilty.  They accused the nominee of improprieties without any shred of corroborating evidence!  Kavanaugh was tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion, while the left-leaning press cheered on!  In the end, Justice Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court. 

As the midterm election is less than a month away, the question remains—What kind of America do you want… one where the Constitution is respected and followed, especially by Supreme Court Justices committed in their rulings to uphold the American individual’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; where you have freedom to take personal responsibility for your life, and where honest, hard work is rewarded? … Or, a society where the government is run by an elite group of leaders who define the moral codes of their citizens by their own situational ethics and enforce political correctness according to their own ideas,  and one in which you are dependent on the government for sustenance and direction for your life?

Politics do not work the righteousness of God, but a benevolent government will help believers lead “tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity” (1. Tim. 2:2).   Good citizens of both  the Kingdom of God and this world, should strive toward that.

My American friends: This nations stands at the edge of a fault line!

YOUR  VOTE COUNTS ON NOVEMBER 6!!

 

 

Joe Sellars – his Journey from Grief to Joy

Joe and Denise

Hello Everyone,

This is Joe Sellars, former missionary to Germany.  In September 2012, you received the last update on our life and ministry, which R.K. published right after having attended the homegoing celebration service for Shelli, my wife of nearly 25 years, after her three year battle with colon cancer. 

God had given us an adventurous life, and as always, He showed us his faithfulness!  He was so good to us through the entire cancer battle.  Even though it ended in Shelli’s death, His abiding presence was always with us, truly giving us the “peace that surpasses all understanding.” His love, grace, mercy, peace, and comfort were always there for me in the sorrow and grief, holding me close enough to hear His heartbeat through one of the most trying and challenging times in my entire life.

One of the biggest revelations God gave us on this journey was what we called The “Daniel 3” faith (Daniel 3:17-18).  It refers to the three young Hebrew men about to be thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Their response to facing death was:

  1. We know God can save us,
  2. We know God will save us,
  3. But even if He doesn’t save us, we will praise the Lord.

I have a hard time understanding how some people can walk through similar trials without Jesus.  It was a dark time of my soul, but like in the story of  Job, God has restored every area of my life. Below, I address how God has met me by showing Himself as my faithful Father in the areas of  Finances, Family, Faith and Future.

FINANCES

Many of you who are reading this report were used by God to help me in my time of need.  Shortly after Shelli passed away, I was faced with the daunting task of paying all of the medical expenses we had incurred.  We also needed to pay for a van that a local car dealer had “loaned” me to test drive for over 3 months after my old van was literally run into the ground from the thousands of miles of driving to and from medical appointments, surgeries, chemo and follow-ups.   If I had had to pay all the bills that were accrued, it would have cost me nearly $700,000.  We had a woefully inadequate health insurance, so after the first month of this journey, we were moved to a cash payment status.

Family, friends, churches and even strangers stepped in, and by God’s grace, literally within two months of Shelli’s death, all the bills and the van were paid for!  Vanderbilt Medical Center simply wiped out hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.  Thousands of dollars came in through my local church, as well as the Bridge International.  One afternoon, I called a company I owed over $60,000 to discuss a payment plan.  I was holding the last statement in my hand when I asked the lady on the other end of the line for my current balance.  Instead of saying some amount just under $60,000, she said that I owed all of $16!  I was in shock!  I asked how that could be, and she answered she had no idea.  All she knew,  was what the invoice on her computer showed that amount. One medical facility after another were paid off in full – debt vanished or was simply forgiven.  If you were one of the many who gave – thank you so very much!

FAMILY

I am a firm believer that God’s original plan in the Garden involved a man and a woman, a husband and wife, in covenant relationship where they were “towards” each other.  One was to be the help-mate for the other, the strength to their weakness – two being truly better than one.

Just under two years after my first wife passed into eternity, God restored this plan to my life.  On June 7th, 2014 I married one of the most amazing women I have ever met.  Denise is a  hero of the faith (but that is another story for another time).  She is passionate for the Lord. She is loving, kind, discerning, fiery, and absolutely gorgeous, as well.  She is giving me the most amazing home a man could ever hope for.

Denise Sharing her Testimony

Together, we have already been ministering to families, singles, and hurting people.  I am excited to learn what else God has in store for us in the future.  Denise is a woman who understands the Biblical concept that she is the spotless Bride of Christ and is fully embraced by her Papa God.  At our wedding, she stood at the back of the church behind two massive white flags.  When those flags parted at the particular music cue in the processional, there was literally a gasp that echoed through the crowd.  She appeared as if she had just stepped in from the very presence of God!  We were given a taste of what the children of Israel must have felt when Moses returned from standing in the cloud of glory in the presence of God.  She shares His love, peace, compassion, grace and mercy with everyone she comes in contact with.  She has a gift of discerning a person’s situation and seeing the big picture like no one I have ever met before.  She is a blessing to me and many others!

FAITH

In early 2013 God began speaking to me and reminded me of how, after leaving the Army in 1996, I was heading into an Information Technology Career, just before He threw me a curve ball and called me into full time church base ministry.  “Do you remember that IT thing?  It has now come full circle and I am calling you into full time market place ministry.  It is time to get outside the four walls of the church building.”  After much prayer and discussion with my pastor and the elder team, I stepped down as Youth Pastor in August, 2013 and began pursuing certifications in computers. This was a huge shift for me, but God was faithful. Since that time, I have a couple of IT certifications and working for my brother-in-law’s IT company in tech support and sales.

I have had many opportunities to minister to people outside the four walls of the church building.  For example, a couple of days ago I met with a potential client who is fighting her own battle with cancer.  At the end of our meeting I asked her if it would be OK for me to pray for her.  She smiled and said, “absolutely.” So right there in her office, in the middle of City Hall, the presence of the Lord filled the room and she was encouraged.  I am fully expecting to hear an amazing report from her the next time we meet together.

I am extremely blessed with the job I have. Please pray for us as we look to the future to see how God will transform, grow and use this business to release me more into ministry each day. 

FUTURE

Currently, my wife and I are working to eliminating all of our debt and positioning ourselves to have more time and financial freedom to head back out for short term mission trips.  I don’t currently see God leading me back to the mission field as a full time missionary, but rather drawing me back to short term missions.

When I look back at my life, some of the times I felt most alive, was when I had a herd of teenagers around me while leading them on a mission trip.

I know that God never removes His calling, therefore I believe that one day I will return overseas, being used by God to expand people’s world view and watch as God shows Himself to them in ways that they have never imagined.  My heart-cry is still and will always be “Living the Great Commandment to Fulfill the Great Commission.“

The Sellars having Breakfast in our Home during their Visit

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

Living the Great Commandment to Fulfill the Great Commission” was Joe and Shelli Sellar’s ministry motto, as well as the standard by which they attempted to live their life together. “Our lives are not just about ministry, but about relationship, about living our lives so that others see Jesus in us — bringing Him honor in everything we do”, they were quick to explain.  And their lives reflected that!

Joe and Shelli had in common that they both grew up in Tennessee, were saved and had a burden for Europe.  After they were married in 1988, Joe served in the U.S. Army in Germany. There they came across The Bridge, so in 1999, when they were ready to move to Germany as full time missionaries, they contacted us, and we joined them in a 13 year partnership which proved very fruitful.

In 2010, Shelli  found she had been unexpectedly enlisted to run a new race that culminated in her death on September 3, 2012: battling stage IV metastasized colon cancer. We stood with the family through their battle, contributing with prayer and finances. Since Shelli’s death, some have asked, “What has happened to Joe and their two children?” You will find the answer in this issue where Joe is giving us an overview of his life after Shelli.  Two years after her passing, God provided a new wife for Joe.

Last week, when they visited us in our home,  Steve and I were introduced to Denise, a remarkable young woman from an Arab, Muslim background who encountered Jesus as a teenager, embraced the Christian faith, and has been persecuted for that decision.  Theirs is the story of a faithful God who brought the two of them together from sorrow and hardship to joy and fulfillment in the union of marriage, and calling them to be living testimonies of God’s grace and love!  We are looking forward to learn what God has in store for them!