Pastors from the Phoenix area of Durban, SA gathered for Praise and Worship
I recently spent a day of worship and intercession with many pastors from the Indian communities in the Durban, South Africa area. Just over 150 years ago, Indian nationals first arrived in South Africa as indentured servants trying to earn a better life for their families. Most of these original settlers were followers of Hinduism and to a lesser extent Islam. Over time the situation has changed dramatically. Once almost non-existant, Christianity is now estimated to be the choice of anywhere between 25 to 40 percent of the Asian community in South Africa! Trina and I are also privileged to work with communities, like the one in Durban, in the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Today their are approximately 2.8 billion Hindus and Muslims. This is nearly forty percent of the world's population and represents a profound harvest opportunity that the Church must not ignore. Consider 2 Timothy 1:7 which says,
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
During our years in South Africa, Trina and I have seen the aggression of eastern religions toward both their current followers and would be converts. It is important for Christians to be informed about the imperial nature that is fundamental to Islam and the demonic oppression that is synonymous with Hinduism. Both are very dangerous to the individuals they envelope and the nations that are influenced by these ideologies. We do need to pray for wisdom for Western leaders to make appropriate political choices that will not allow democratic freedoms to be compormised by the values of eastern religions. However, it is even more important that "fear" not be allowed to dictate the Church's response to these groups. Christian's, above all else, must be resolute in loving and ministering Christ to those lost in eastern religions. There is an overlooked element in the discussion about the Muslim "invasions" of Europe and the United States of America. What is largely lost in the debate is the opportunity presented by Muslims and Hindus coming to live in free societies. It is much easier to befriend and share Christ with a Muslim/Hindu in the UK or USA than in Saudi Arabia or rural India! It is our belief that the very strategy intended by the enemy to spread darkness will be turned around as a resounding victory for Christ. But the people of God are called to respond with a "sound mind" that knows its purpose to pray and see those in darkness set free. Please join us in this burden over the coming year. Ask the Lord's direction for how you can make a difference in the life of a Muslim or Hindu. Please pray for and support our ministry to these beautiful people.
