Missions and the Economy

I recently read this post from John Piper's blog, in which he argues that "the worst of all times is the best of all times for missions." This is so, he says, for four reasons:
1) because tough economic times force us to be more dependent on God,
2) because our impact is increased when people see that we have sacrificed to serve them,
3) because people are more receptive when they see how uncertain life is, and
4) because difficult economic circumstances can make us more aware that material possessions don't possess true value, inspiring us to be more generous with what we have.

There is a lot of truth in what Piper says here. While the state of the economy is scary for just about all of us, frequently the most difficult circumstances are the ones that God uses to make the biggest impact. When we trust in Him, rather than ourselves, we frequently find that the results are beyond what we could have dreamed. He is, after all, "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

Actually, it seems that frequently our possessions get in the way of our generosity. Studies have shown that lower-income Americans consistently give a greater percentage of their income that those with higher incomes. When we have less, we know that we're trusting God for everything anyway, and we're less inclined to rest in the security of our possessions. We're more inclined to be like the widow in Mark 12:41-44, who gave all that she had to live on, trusting that God would provide.

Not only do difficult economic circumstances change our attitude and actions, but, like Piper says, they open doors for ministry that would otherwise remain closed. While stepping out in faith to do missions is frightening, we can rest assured that God will use our sacrifices.

I certainly hope that the economic climate improves soon, but, in the meantime, I don't want to waste the opportunities that we are being presented with. Whether or not the worst of times economically are really the best of times for missions, they are the circumstances we have been given. And God is faithful, in the worst of times and the best of times.

Banquet of Hope and Xelda Ministries

If you haven't yet RSVPd for the Hospitals of Hope banquet, there is still time. The banquet will take place at 6:45 pm on March 6 at Central Christian Church and will feature Alexis Bilindabagabo, an Anglican bishop and survivor of the Rwandan genocide. If you would like to come, please RSVP by February 25 to 316.262.0964 or http://hospitalsofhope2009.eventbrite.com/. We hope to see you there!

Hospitals of Hope has also begun work on a new project in Bolivia. When Xelda Ditmer, the grandmother of Hospitals of Hope's founder and a longtime supporter of our work, passed away this past fall, Xelda ministries was born. Using money donated in her name, Hospitals of Hope plans to open a coffee shop to reach out to youth in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Cochabamba currently does not have many places for young people to simply come and hang out, and the coffee shop will be a place for fellowship and for sharing the gospel-- another way that we can show Christ's love in Bolivia.

Do Christian nonprofits make a difference?

Sometimes it is difficult being a Christian nonprofit organization. Some supporters would rather that we left our Christianity at home and just cared for people's physical needs. After all, they say, why should we cram our religious beliefs down other people's throats? Why not just give them a hand and let them decide on their own? Organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders do a great job helping people without any religious context... but Hospitals of Hope isn't quite like them.

Other supporters argue that we aren't religious enough. Why, they ask, don't we have more evangelistic campaigns? Why don't we plant churches everywhere we go? Once again, there are several other organizations that do this quite well, such as Gospel for Asia and the Billy Graham Foundation. Hospitals of Hope doesn't fit into this mold either.

Hospitals of Hope tries to combine these two ideologies and "Show Christ's Love By Healing Bodies and Souls" [our mission statement]. We want to holistically care for people's physical and spiritual needs just as Christ did. We cannot separate one from the other. Jesus obviously attended to the spiritual needs of his followers, but he also healed them, fed them and looked after their other physical needs. As Christians, we should do no less. This can be a difficult middle ground to walk upon, but it is where we have been called.

I got started thinking about this topic after my uncle sent me an article titled "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God." In it, he goes on to explain that aid work alone will not change the current problems in Africa. People need to change, and normal aid organizations do not change people. According to the author, Christianity is the only thing that will change Africa. I would have to agree.