Leaders Lead

“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus.” Acts 3:17-20, NIV.

The respect and allegiance given to religious and community leaders in Aceh is amazing. It seems that they can say “black is white” and “white is black”, and everyone agrees. What this means to relief efforts is plain. If the leader says you’re a friend, the community will be friendly. But if the leader says you’re the enemy, then forget working in that neighborhood.

Many people have been told to take money or services, but not to listen to anything we have to say. Some people are scared, and don’t talk to us. As is human nature, the people are also getting frustrated because of how long it is taking to get back to “normal.”

Ray*, the supervisor on several rebuilding projects, said, “At this point it is rare that anyone thanks us for the work we are doing. Many of my staff complains about this, and I remind them that we can’t expect them to act Christ-like when they don’t know Christ. Besides, we are not doing this for applause. We are here doing what we are doing because it is what Jesus would have done.”

Still the spiritual breakthroughs for which Ray and all the staff are longing will likely have to start with God touching the hearts of leaders. Every time a leader agrees to read the Bible or discuss faith, it is one more seed that could bloom into a transformed leader who could open up his entire community to accept the gospel!

* Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

God will draw leaders in Aceh to Himself and open up entire neighborhoods to hear the gospel.

God will encourage His children in the task of sowing on hard soil.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.