Quench Not The Spirit

I am always amazed at how un-Pentecostal we Pentecostals have become.

Take for example the fixation on the 10/40 Window approach to missions by some pastors and missions committees.

But, let's not get ahead of the story here. In case you are not familiar with the 10/40 Window craze, let me explain.

According to the Joshua Project who are leading authorities on the subject,

The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. The 10/40 Window is often called "The Resistant Belt" and includes the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. The original 10/40 Window included only countries with at least 50% of their land mass within 10 and 40 degrees north latitude. The revised 10/40 Window includes several additional countries, such as Indonesia, that are close to 10 or 40 degrees north latitude and have high concentrations of unreached peoples. See the original and revised country lists to the right. An estimated 4.57 billion individuals residing in approximately 8,622 distinct people groups are in the revised 10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window is home to some of the largest unreached people groups in the world such as the Shaikh, Yadava, Turks, Moroccan Arabs, Pushtun, Jat and Burmese.

The 10/40 Window has several important considerations: first, the historical and Biblical significance; second, the least evangelized countries; third, the unreached people groups and cities; fourth, the dominance of three religious blocs; fifth, the preponderance of the poor; sixth, the strongholds of Satan within the 10/40 Window.

Therefore, the argument follows, this is where sensible people put their missions' dollar. The problem with putting all of missions' dollars into this basket is that historically it is not Biblical. True, much of early Christianity focused in that area ~ that is, the original, not the revised 10/20 window. However, the command was to go into all the world, not just that little pocket of people who just happened to be occupying the towns and cities along convenient trade routes that fit into the then undefined 10/40 window.

Now, just stop and think a minute with me. This approach excludes all of Latin America (pop. 572,039,894), but includes The Maldive Islands (pop. 328,536). It by passes the poor United States of America (pop. 314,362,000) in favor of Djibouti (pop. 923,000) a thinly populated stretch of stony semi-desert land, with scattered plateaus and highlands on the Horn of Africa.

So, pray tell me how any of this makes sense, unless a missionary is sensitive to the urging of the Spirit? Paul wanted to go to Asia, but was prompted in God's timing to first go to Macedonia instead. Think of Philip basking in the success of a rip-roaring revival in Samaria ~ demons cast out, people speaking in tongues, hobnobbing with Apostles Peter and John, and by all accounts well on his way to becoming a legend in his own time. But, then, out of the clear blue an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south down the road which runs from Jerusalem to Gaza, out in the desert.” (Acts 16:6)

And whom did he meet? An Ethiopian eunuch of all people. This poor fellow couldn't even reproduce himself. Not much logic here. Well, perhaps not, but it may account for the fact that 2/3rds of the country considers themselves Christians. Historically, Coptic orthodoxy has stood the test of time. Not my brand of Christianity, however what a fertile land for missions activity.

One other thing, before someone gets into a hissy and hits the "unsubscribe button," I have nothing but the utmost respect for missionaries who answer the call to places like Djibouti (where I have never been but do know someone appointed there) and the Maldive Islands (where I have been and wish we had a permanent presence there). I respect their choice not because they are ministering in the 10/40 Window, necessarily, but because they heard the call and responded, regardless of where the country was located.

My basic contention is that, we as Spirit filled Christians, should remain sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit even when our decision seems to contradict all logic for we as children of God are led by the Spirit. (Rom. 8:14) We walk by faith, not by sight.

Again, standing with you for what is right, 

 

 P.S. Please continue to pray with us as we trust God for our travel expenses to minister in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Urkraine.