Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Unreached literally means...UNREACHED. It does not mean they have been offered the Gospel and then rejected it, they have
simply never been offered the gospel. It's a matter of access. We're used to many exposures to the gospel in America, but many
people in the world have never had one exposure. They would respond if given the opportunity. Real World Example: For two
hours we talked to passersby in the town square of Grimmen, East Germany - a region labeled atheistic and largely unreached.
15 people accepted Jesus as Savior. Not one had even heard of Jesus before. I know, it’s amazing!
Myth #2 – In Our Technological Age, The Internet, Satellite TV & Radio Are
Sufficient To Evangelize the World
First off, most people in the world don't have computers or Internet access. And why would they seek out Christian websites
if they did? Numero dos - Satellite television is available everywhere people can afford it, but why would a non-Christian seek
out a Christian tv program among 532 other choices? Next! It's the same with radio. I have my 3 programmed music stations
and that's all I listen to. The fact is, Christians watch Christian television, listen to Christian radio programming and surf
Christian websites. Non-Christians generally don't – whether they are in America or anywhere else in the world. How did you
come to Jesus? Most people came to Jesus through a personal contact. Do you want to know the real proof of successful
evangelism in other nations? Churches are the 'on the ground' evidence of a successful Gospel witness. Churches = Christians.
No churches = few or no Christians. Real World Example: I have never met a non-Christian in east Germany that can name one
American or national TV or radio preacher or has ever visited a Christian website...but I was there.
10 MYTHS ABOUT
MISSIONS
Brandon Greene
“Christianity helped Africans to become renewed Africans, not remade Europeans.” - Lammin Samneh, native of Gambia and
Professor of Missions and World Christianity at Yale Divinity School
“Activity abroad by U.S. evangelicals (missionaries) is one of the most important and welcome trends in U.S. Foreign
relations.” - Nicolas D. Kristoff, New York Times editorial columnist and former Times managing editor.
Myth #8 - Short Term Mission Projects Are Enough To Fulfill The Great Commission
A successful short-term mission project is the result of someone on the ground who established relationships, influence, and
credibility in the field over the long-term. Short term missions are great as part of larger strategy, but here is no replacement
for the language learning, cultural adaptation and long-term influence of full-time workers. Actual change is a long-term
commitment. The greatest benefit that short term missions produce is long term missionaries. I say that from personal
experience! Real World Example: Even mass evangelism crusades, like those of Reinhard Bonnke in Africa, would be a flop if
it wasn't for the dedication of the pastors and workers on the ground.
Myth #10 - Hearing The Gospel Is The Same As Being Reached By The Gospel
Just because someone hears the Gospel doesn't mean they sufficiently understand it. Jesus and Biblical concepts are totally
foreign to most people in the world. There are a lot of questions to clarify and they need to really understand the implications
of accepting Jesus before they make a commitment. If they don't understand the Gospel, they haven't been reached by the
Gospel. You didn't understand many things about Jesus and Biblical themes the first 10 times you heard them, right? That goes
double for someone in a non-Christian culture hearing the Gospel for the first time. Real World Example: In Europe the people
are very relational. That means most of the time they need to accept you and prove that you are genuine and honest before
they accept what you say. (That's actually Biblical). Committing one's life to something is huge and they value commitments.
They want to understand what they're doing and what it all means before they make such a big decision. Giving that
understanding to people is reaching them.
Thanks for reading. Help us 'Get the Message Out' by passing this flyer on to a
friend. More copies are available for download at www.VirtualVN1.com.
Missionary Brandon Greene of VN1/Voice to the Nations . 4209 Lakeland Drive #331, Flowood, MS 39232