Toward a Theology of Cross-Cultural Ministry

Normally I try to write about Orphan Ministry in particular, but I thought that this time around I would write about working cross-culturally in ministry. This will actually be a bit more of a personal note or testimony about how I became interested in cross-cultural ministry. I was involved primarily in youth ministry in college. Working with youth is a lot like working with a foreign culture. Sometimes kids (even if they are only 5-6 years younger than you!) can seem like they are from a different planet. So, I told myself very specifically that I didn't think I would ever get involved with missions. I think that is about the exact same time that God began to peak my interest in missions (you know how it is). I then heard the famous illustration of World A, World B, and World C. Basically it goes as follows: the body of Christ spends most of its time pouring resources into World A: the small sliver of the earth's population that has heard all about Jesus three thousand times already. Some of us spend some time ministering to those people in World B: the 25% or so of humanity who has some sort of faint notion of who Jesus is (wasn't he a rapper in the 90s? they might ask). Then basically no one ministers and works with those in World C who have never heard the name Jesus and know no one who does know the name Jesus. So you have most Hindus, Muslims, or Indigenous peoples around the world who have very little statistical chance of meeting anyone who follows the way of Jesus.
WOW! That is challenging for those of us who have been preparing to go into ministry. If our calling is where the need is then the direction of that calling becomes very clear. Well, the other piece of theological wisdom that pierced my heart and led me toward missions was Paul's bit in 2 Corinthians 8:13-14
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality",
So, Paul tells churches on one side of the world that there is real physical/material/financial need among some of the churches on the other side of the world. Paul says that shouldn't be and that what should be is: equality. Hmm, I thought. If I have something to give (my time, my willingness, the ability to travel to the other side of the world); then I should give it a shot because God desires equality and calls us to help one another out. Paul's point was that there will come a time when you have need, so give to others if you ever hope for anyone else to give to you.
That is why I do what I do. Let me know if God calls you to go with us to Russia, or if your preference is to go to Namibia or Turkmenistan after reading this. These are the things that spurred me on. It would be interesting to hear if you felt the same about these admonitions.

Opposition

I am not a superstitious guy. I am also not a guy who is paranoid about demonic activity or who feels that followers of Jesus need to recite scripture as if it is a magical mantra that expels evil forces.... But I am a person who has seen opposition. I believe that opposition is from the enemy and I believe we are called to stand strong in the midst of it; not by our own strength and power but exactly by giving up on our own strength and power.
We have come to a place in our trip where we have faced opposition. Our car had some troubles, our car repair shop caused even more troubles, our baby wakes up through the night regular hourly intervals, and I have received a phone call today from a friend who is going through the shockwaves of being diagnosed with a serious cancer. Do these circumstances come directly from the enemy himself? Maybe, or maybe not; that question is above my paygrade-- BUT what does come from the enemy is the psychological baggage that follows these kinds of circumstances. It is human and normal to face questions like: Is this path of life worth it? Does God not understand and see my friend's suffering? BUT the temptation to follow these questions towards despair and mental death/passivity is a pill that is offered from the pits of hell.
My wife and I have stepped out from the ordinary to go... the ordinary is not evil or wrong necessarily, but it is not what we have been called out to do right now. So, one thing is for certain, when anyone steps out from the norm, when anyone sticks their head out from the crowd, that person is in serious danger of getting smacked with some stuff that for lack of a better word I will call "opposition". We are at a half-way point in our trip. We are pushing forward and we are not giving up. We appreciate your prayers and have appreciated hearing stories from many of you already concerning your experience in facing opposition and having pushed through to the other side.

In Texas Again

Texas is its own animal. As soon as you drive in from New Mexico the road becomes pretty and smooth and there is grass in the fields instead of just rocks. Well, one of the big stretches of driving is now finished, Cali to Texas in two days by myself. I found the ride to be exhausting, but not boring. There is so much to see on the freeways! I also learned to do some motivational talking to myself; Don't worry I did not answer my own questions or anything.
I have already seen two sets of Grandparents, my little nephew Tommy, and my parents. Its turning out to be a good trip. We are now in Lubbock, TX until next Friday or so. Look us up and we will come by for a visit.
I am experiencing a little bit of culture shock already as life in Texas is so slow-paced compared to LA. Perhaps this is God's way of prepping us for a big culture change when we finally do get to St. Petersburg. I think it will be hard for me of course, but it will be interesting to see how Anya experiences reverse culture shock in Russia after having lived in the States for 5 years. Changes, changes, changes... Wow! Well, this is one of those moments where I am reminded that our faith is an ancient one, our God an unchanging God, and the only constant we have to hold on to is the love of the Creator as shown through his Son. The same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

Going to the Harbor

We are on our way! That's right. Chris and Anya Gandy have found a missions organization that we love! It is called "The Harbor" and it falls under a parent ministry called CRM. Check out The Harbor's website at: theharborspb.org. Little Nina can't wait to get to Russia, I can tell. She is already learning Russian since Anya only speaks Russian to the baby.
Well, many have asked us questions about our journey to Russia and I will take a little time here to answer those questions:
Where are we going?
To St. Petersburg, Russia to serve with The Harbor, a ministry that provides transitional housing and life-skills training for older orphans who have nowhere else to turn.
When are we going?
We plan to be fully funded and ready to go to Russia by September 1, 2010.
How long are we going for?
We feel strongly that God has called us to live our lives as career missionaries in Russia who serve cross-culturally long term.
How can someone help us in this journey?
We need teams of people to partner with!
1) A team of prayer warriors covering us with their intercession
2) A team of friends blessing us in practical ways throughout our journey (rides to the airport, places to stay from time to time)
3) A financial support network giving consisten monthly monetary donations to fund this ministry
4) friends and family referring us to groups and individuals that might be interested in giving to this ministry
How much should I give?
How do I give?
The ministry we have joined allows online donations, simply click here and choose your giving preferences.
What else can I do to help?
Pray, pray, pray! We have a long journey ahead of us. We will be traveling around visiting supporters and packing to get ready. Pass the word on to those you think may be interested! Let me know via e-mail if you are interested in an info-packet or if you have more questions; e-mail Chris at: chris.gandy@crmleaders.org
Russia, here we come!