KB Biola Broadcaster - 1971-12

fall into the ground and die, it, abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." Certain­ ly this is what we have seen there in the Congo. The end of this age is fast draw­ ing to a close. Soon the night com- eth when no man can work. There is moral decay, political corruption, and the general deterioration of the fabric of human society on every hand. The hour of man's history grows darker. Now is the time when the true Church of Jesus Christ should shine the brightest. We should be diligent in fulfilling God's program of missions. There is no short-cut to God's blessings. Malachi asks, "Will a man rob God?" How often is the Lord pre­ sented with that which costs man little or nothing at all. Oh, that our full response might be to give our all, with nothing held back. "Love so amazing, so divine demands my life, my soul, my all." The Congo Church in the Lions' Den The question is often asked, "What has been the fruits of the years of missionary endeavor? Will the work really last and stand the test?" That is very pertinent in these days of uncertainty in so many areas. Daniel was one of the princes in Israel. He had been taken cap­ tive to Babylon and was given a place of leadership as one of the king's counselors during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshaz­ zar. These were heathen mon- archs. He, all the while, maintained a good testimony, and God was with him. Once again there was a change of government as Darius of the Medes and Persians over­ threw the imposing Babylonian empire. Page 31

sion for Christ, his stand generally costs him dearly. You can be sure that the enemy of our soul is not going to sit idly by and watch his kingdom be captured by the Lord. The new convert soon finds out that he is in the midst of a spiritual warfare. Sickness or even death might strike some member of his immediate fam ily. Those still bound in heathenism seek every means of persuading him to return to his former superstitious wor­ ship. If he is married, his wife's relatives might forceably take her away in order to hasten that deci­ sion. Thus, the African Church has been born in the cruciable of test­ ing. In the midst of the continued political uprisings many African pastors have found themselves the targets of bitter persecution. It has cost them not only their posses­ sions, but also, in many cases, their lives. There was a leading elder from our church who, when the com­ munistic rebels overran his station, was speared by one of them but not mortally wounded. They set his home ablaze and tossed him in the midst of the inferno. In that unbelievable situation he sang "Stand up, Stand up for Jesus." Flames licked around his body as he shouted, "It happened to the early church, and it ’can happen now, too!" As you well know, there were 40 missionaries who lost their lives during that terrible conflict in the Congo. These laid their all on the altar as they declared with David of old, "Neither will be offer burnt offerings unto the Lord our God of that which doth cost us nothing." Jesus said, "Except a corn of wheat

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