Believers Scattered

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:1-4, NAS.

Five mature leaders had developed in one village through a weekly house gathering that taught the Bible and prayer. The leader of this house gathering was also leading groups in different parts of the province. He said, “A feud broke out in our village, I can see how God even used that to bless the work.”

The fighting was so intense that the entire village was leveled, and all the survivors scattered to surrounding villages. The main leader smiled, “You see I had five leaders in one village, but now I have five leaders in five different villages!”

These leaders are already gathering groups in their new villages to hear stories from the Bible. Community leaders in the new villages are welcoming these groups, because they like what they see them accomplishing. Many people have made promises and broken them, but the believers are teaching literacy, drilling wells, and helping people get off of drugs. They see lives being transformed, and they want to see more. This holistic approach to ministry is winning believers the chance to share the Gospel.

One military leader opposed the forming of groups in villages near his command. The village leaders came to this military commander and asked him, “Before these men followed Jesus they stole from homes and did drugs. They used to hurt people, lie and cheat. Now they live good lives and help people live better lives. Which way would you like them to live?” The commander had no answer to that, so he let the groups gather and stopped opposing them.

Pray that:

Believers will live such good lives that even their enemies will be forced to give glory to God.

The scattered believers will form new groups among all the villages that they are now living in.

God will continue to give believers grace in the eyes of village leaders so they can share the Gospel.

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