country making it very difficult. Yet, the Lord’s working in a wonderful manner, especially among some of the more remote tribes. I would con cur with the statement that “There are more people open and ready to come to Christ today than at any time in the history of this world!” M r . C ook : One of the problems missionaries face is training local leadership. One practical answer is through the extension seminary. This is accomplished by not socially dis locating people to bring them into a resident seminary or school for train ing, but rather preparing them right where they are. They use program textbooks, multi-level in s tru c tio n , and itinerant professors who spend several hours a week with the stu dents. Then, they’re brought in for two days a month to the resident school. Some of these drastic changes have to be made for there just aren’t enough people to fill all of the needs at our present rate of preparation. M r . B uker : We are seeking to put all of the available personnel into areas where people are “winable” before it’s too late. We are seeing a “cross-fertilization” of nationals, such as Orientals going from one Asian country to another. The white man is sometimes looked upon with suspicion and considered imperialis tic. Asians should learn to do the job themselves. They like the idea, too. We have seen this happen in Pakis tan with a team coming from Indo nesia to minister. As a result of the Congress on Evangelism in Singa pore, a committee has been set up to coordinate evangelistic activities all over Asia. The harvest time is usual ly a short period. We must do what we can before the seed falls to the ground and rots. If we don’t win these people they’ll turn to other re ligions. We estimate that there are 150 million people who will be or who are open and ready for the Gos pel now. This won’t be true forever! Some missionaries believe that un- 15
MISSIONARY PANEL DISCUSSIONS
(Special guests: Prof. Clyde Cook, Director of Biola College Missions Department, and Mr. Ray Buker, Jr., missionary to Pakistan for 15 years with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Missions Society.) Q. Tulsa, Okla. — "What are some of the bright spots in missions today?” M r . C ook : Certainly the Holy Spirit is working as we are seeing many people turning to the Lord, and churches being planted throughout the world. In Indonesia since 1965 there have been thousands, and some estimate as many as millions, who have turned to the Lord Jesus Christ. One missionary visiting Biola told of baptizing 2,000 in one day with 10,000 waiting for baptism after completing a required class. Political changes often given opportunities for the Gospel. Another bright spot is Africa especially south of the Sahara. A re cent TIME magazine told of the great Christian growth down there. In 1900 there were only 4,000,000 Christians in Africa which was about three percent of the population. Pro jected at the present rate of increase by the year 2,000 there’ll be 51 mil lion Christians. This would be about 46 percent of the population. In Latin America, too, we’re seeing many turn to the Saviour. In Guatemala the rate of church growth is far exceed ing the population growth. In just 20 years 50 percent of Guatemala can be considered evangelical. The same will be true in Chile in 30 years and Brazil in 40 years. M r . B uker : Pakistan is a Muslim
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker