Sunday, October 21, 2001

 

 

Dear Family:

 

Two thousand years ago in a part of the world where even this day there seems to be no peace or promise of peace there was one who came proclaiming to be the Messiah, the Son of God, The Christ and savior of the world. There were those around him, especially those of the government and religious leaders, who feared him and refused to acknowledge him as anyone special. They certainly would not acknowledge him as the messiah. They feared him so much that they decided to crucify him to get rid of him. On 9/11/01, other doubters came to America with a wave of destruction and once again said,  "Christ is not the Son of God, the messiah."  

 

In these times we might do well to read or re-read Fox's Book of Martyrs. It seems that there are some who have not yet gotten through the mind set of that period in time. It was in those days when one leader or government after another would try to control their part of the world. Each had two obstacles, one the Jews and other, the Christians. These two would not bow down to leaders who denied them the opportunity to worship the true and living God. Each were determined to honor God above all else.

 

The leaders of these governments failed so they resorted to the destruction of these two groups by any means available taking their families, home, land and lives. But God determined to keep His influence in the world. Throughout the centuries God has led his followers through conflict after conflict. Throughout the centuries God has asked mankind to choose between good and evil. Between Him and other gods.

Mark 15:27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. (NIV).

 

When Christ was crucified, he was placed between two common criminals. One of Christ's own followers betrayed him and the Jewish leaders joined with the Roman government to bring the ministry of Christ to an end. Today Christians still struggle in many parts of the world to follow Christ, Son of God. In some areas the conflict between and Jew still exists while in others they struggle together for freedom to worship God.

 

Job 31:15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? (NIV)

 

Today too many Christians and Jews have chosen to worship their own desires for money, fame and power. God too often is not the focus of their desires. God has said it is the spiritual which lasts forever, not money, power or fame.

 

Eccl 5:15-20 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind? All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-- this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (NIV)

 

There are however those who have been forced to live in countries where the freedom of choice does not exist. Included in this writing is an article from CBN detailing how millions of Dalits in India are choosing to seek the freedom to choose who they will worship and follow. While many will choose Christianity for political power or position, many will choose Christ because of who Christ is and what he has done. We in America could learn a lesson from this. Here, there is an effort to restrict the spread of Christianity while there, the effort is to expand Christianity. There is and will be great opposition and no doubt many will suffer and die in the process. The conflict we have seen after 9/11 is but the tip of the iceberg that we and/or our children will see in this world before the return of Christ. Please read this article and pray for those who will choose Christ and those who will help them to know Christ.

 

My friend and brother in Christ Isaac Raj is one who is working to lead as many as possible to know Christ. Many of you have received copies of his letters to me asking that we remember his team and family when we pray. 

 

OUTREACH. Possible Mass Conversion of Dalits in India. By Lars Widerberg, Intercessors Network

October 19, 2001

On November 4, a million Dalits will meet in Delhi, India, where Christianity will be considered.

 

CBN.com - We are living in a time of "incredible events." The message God gave a mere boy, Samuel, was:  "See, I am about to do something ... that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle" (1 Sam 3:11). Practically buried amidst the events of the recent terror attack on the USA, and now the war in Afghanistan, is "ear-tingling" news from India.

We have brought you information about the Indian Dalits (formally the "untouchable" castes of India) who have been considering a mass movement away from Hinduism. Plans were for a mass conversion ceremony in Dehli on October 14th of up to a million Dalits who are of the educated middle class and many of whom hold government posts. In mass they were to convert to Buddhism on this day. This in itself is quite earth-shaking news for India. Since then we have received the information that Dehli officials refused to give the grounds for this ceremony and this ceremony has been postponed until November 4th.

 

Another reason for the postponement is that there are some very interesting changes in the circumstances surrounding this mass conversion to Buddhism. Originally, the Dalits were to be asked to convert only to Buddhism. Now, by God's grace, the option of finding freedom in Christ will also be presented. The Dalit leaders have been investigating 3 religions, Islam and Buddhism, as well as Christianity. Muslim and Buddhist leaders assured them that they would do whatever was needed to bring the 300 million Outcast Hindus into their camp. When they met with Christian leaders they were told that the Christians could not help them because they would not be able to handle the repercussions from the Indian government. But, there were those Dalit leaders who were not ready to give up so easily on the option of choosing Christianity.

 

Over the past months, high level leaders representing the 280 million Dalits have been in dialogue with the All India Christian Council. On September 7 a meeting did take place in Hyberabad, India, where 740 Evangelical leaders from across India met with 26 Dalit leaders to discuss how this movement should be handled.

 

 

Now, on this November 4, when a million Dalits are expected to meet in Delhi, India, for a mass conversion event to Buddhism, the option of Christianity will also be presented, so that those who would like to choose Christianity can also do so. A US Professor, who is ethnically an Indian, has been invited to make a presentation on Christianity. A leading Christian writer in India (a personal disciple of Dr. Francis Schaffer) will distribute 100,000 copies of a book called "The Road to Liberty and Dignity" to Outcast Hindu (Dalit) leaders that day. They are also hoping to print and distribute 1,000,000 copies of the Gospel of John.

 

It is the plan of the Dalit leaders that all 1 million leaders will make the same decision to follow a different god or God. Within one month they expect 5 million to be followers, and 50 million in one year. These are fantastic numbers and represent an incredible moment for India.

 

Pray for India Today

 

Please bathe this situation in much prayer. The battle for the soul of India has been furiously raging at all levels of Indian society. Many fear and predict a very violent backlash from the radical Hindu groups. Pray for God to hold his hand over this whole situation.

 

Pray for Mr. Ram Raj.

 

He is a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi and the key Dalit leader who is organizing the rally on November 4 in order to lead 1 million Dalits in a very demonstrative way out of Hinduism. He is not a Christian, but an intellectual who has understood that there is no hope nor future for the 280 million out/low-caste Hindus unless they abandon Hinduism. He is actively encouraging Dalits to also consider Christianity as an option and it is he who is supporting the plan of "Bibles for the World" to distribute a million copies of the Gospel of John at his rally. He has asked the Christians to bring as many reporters, intercessors and volunteers as possible from all over the world to publicize and to pray during this event.

 

Do pray for this influencial man, he is certainly on the hit list of fanatic Hindu groups.

 

Pray for the Church of India.

 

Daily reports reach us of incidents of violence against Christians, a most recent example being 4 Christian workers who were beaten up for showing the Jesus Film in a village in Gujurat. The pastor's hand was broken and he and the other 4 were generally bruised and battered.

 

We have it easy here, don't we? Do not neglect to pray for these brave soldiers of the cross in India and all over the world.

 

In Christ,

 

Chuck