Vi W IT H WORLD CONDITIONS i n g r a v e question, Christian's need to be aware of the fact that doors for mis sionary service in some areas of the world are closing. After several years of study and prayerful consideration, Biola plans to bring dedicated .young men and women from foreign coun tries, hand-selected by qualified mis sion boards, for training at our La Mirada Campus. These potential “fire brands” already know the language; trained in God’s truth here at Biola, will be thrust back to their own native lands enabled and equipped to reach their own people for Christ. We can readily see the need of this with the rising tide of both communism and nationalism. Not in recent days has this been highlighted so forcefully, however, as in a first-hand report from one of our Biola graduates serving the Lord in East Africa. It is now proposed by government order that no missionary society shall be allowed to do any mis sionary act in regions or places other than those specified in its license. Sec ond, they cannot do any missionary act towards any person or persons already „ professing any religion, sect or belief thereof, other than that specified in its license. Third, they cannot bring ujp in any religion or admit to any religious order, any person under the age of 18 years without the consent of his law ful guardian. Such consent shall be reduced to writing before a person ap pointed for that purpose by the prov ince author. Fourth, they cannot adopt, protect, or maintain an abandoned child. In addition, the government will reg ulate social activities, collection of mon ey for famine and flood relief and sim ilar charitable purposes. The holding of land by missionary societies and reg
ulations of its development and the publication and distribution of papers, pamphlets and booklets will also be regulated. Those who do not follow these edicts are liable for fines and imprisonment. Our Biola graduate has written, “The thing that vitally concerns us is, what affect does all of this have upon our missionary work?” He goes on to re port, “Since 1944 our mission has held English classes four days a week. On one day, a half-hour Gospel message is given and tracts are distributed. With the new act, however, witness will have to be completely stopped. Second, in a work among lepers, nominal Mos lems, all come under Christian witness daily. The new law will make all of this illegal.” One can readily see how this is one of the most repressive laws against Christianity established outside the Iron Curtain. There is a great and urgent rfeed today for earnest prayer that mission aries may be wise as serpents and harm less as doves. As an added program of missionary advance, “Operation: Fire brand” will train native workers on whom such restrictions as foreign mis sionaries have experienced have not been placed. We purpose to train born- again young men and women from foreign lands, citizens of these coun tries which are rising up in national istic spirit. But Biola cannot do it alone for our donations barely begin to cover expenses of training the present grow ing student body. This project is placed before the Lord as a program of faith development. Will you pray about it? Then as God speaks to your heart, write to “The Bible Institute Hour”, Los An geles 17, California. Spiritual dividends will be received as you invest in help ing to train foreign students for “Op eration: Firebrand.” 12
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