The Right Place at the Right Time

Relate to the right goal is the concept of planning activities so as to be in the right place at the right time. Wagner illustrates this point with the analogy of a farmer. 



 No Farmer works his field for the fun of it. He buys with the anticipation that it will produce fruit. He sows his seed and cultivates his crops, not because he thinks it's fun to ride tractors, but because if he doesn't there will be no fruit. He that sows and he that reaps rejoice together (Jn 4:36) Why? Because they gather fruit together. Sound missionary strategy never loses the vision of the fruit. In missionary work this fruit is disciples. Keep this vision foremost in sowing, pruning and reaping.


The Vision in Sowing - The Parable of the sower appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It tells of a farmer who sowed seeds on four different parts of his farm but got fruit on only one. Anyone with the vision of the fruit will instantly ask, "Why?" Jesus' disciples undoubtedly asked the same thing when they first heard it. According to Jesus, Interpretation, the variable factor was not the sower, nor was it the seed (which is described as the "Word of God"), nor was it the method. It was the soil or among thorns. In order to produce fruit, a good seed must be sown in fertile soil. This is the right place aspect of strategy.


The Vision in Pruning - The Parable of the fig tree luke 13:6-9 is seen as a threat by some missionaries. If they are guided by the vision of the fruit, however, it should not be. The farmer who came along and saw a beautiful fig tree was forced to look a little deeper. The fig tree had grown well, but there were no figs! Much missionary work has likewise developed to a high degree, but there is no fruit. there are no disciples. The farmer in the parable is a good strategist. When there is no fruit after much work and enough of a time lapse, he says cut it down, change your program.


The Vision in Reaping - When Jesus talks to His disciples about reaping, for the first time He mentions the need for praying that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into His, Harvest (Mt. 9:37-38) When the Laborers are few the farmer runs the risk of losing some of the harvests. the Strategy aspect, in this case, is the right time.


Jeremy Jithro Alesna
International Teams Philippines
Impart Digital World

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Haystack Prayer Meeting (Reflection)

Haystack Prayer Meeting

Reflection:

 Thank you Lord, I such learning for me, to the group of “Haystack Prayer Meeting” A brief story about the Haystack Prayer Meeting. 

On a saturday afternoon in august, 1806, five Williams College student, congregationalist in background, gathered in a field to discuss the spiritual needs of those living in Asian countries. When a thunderstorm arose they took shelter in the lee of a haystack and continued to pray. This gathering came to be called "The Haystack Prayer Meeting," launching the modern mission movement. Within a few years, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was formed and sent some of the first American Protestant missionaries to other lands.

Praise God! What I learn Haystack Prayer Meeting, Its was adventure to hear this story that many Christian are influence them to lead in Mission, because of the Vision trigger, they commit to mission and give fulltime. Today as a Christian lets back in biblical bases. You need to gear up the promise release to the Christianity. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)”. Received Power and will be the witnesses, to the entire nation. We are one of the heralds of the gospel preaching to the unreached people. Back to old paths and remembering that people uses in God mightily and sacrificing there life for to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Through the bible who source of everything, guiding by Holy Spirit. Nowadays, bible encouragement that to pursue commission as bible.  Being a Christian our duty to fulfilled it look to other side of the world, open your perspective to understand mission and commit to engages, we will see what happen in the world if the people returning in Christ. One of the Great example of this during the journey of the Israelite going to promise land, before they get the promised land they have a lot of encounter and more giants and every land. But they have courageous to face it, and believing God will protect for all adversity. The Promise of God Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight, But you need to still”. Claim it the promise that God release. 

I would happen soon the revival is coming the prophecy will be running on from east to west. This Story talked about now a days from past to present, the synergy will be restored and active again, engaging to fulfilled the commission and become the herald of the gospel. 



Ps. Jeremy Jithro Alesna
International Teams Phil.
Impart Digital World

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Understand Culture

Understand Culture

One of the First tasks cross-cultural worker have, upon entering a new culture, is to become a student of that culture. In order to gain an understanding of the culture, one needs a basic knowledge of cultural anthropology(The study of cultures). Learning about a culture doesn’t guarantee acceptance into it, but it does help to promote the process of identification and adaptation.

To adapt their culture the more you learn everything the Behavior, Values, Belief and Communication,

1. Behavior

          The first and most obvious thing noticed when you arrive among a new people group is their behavior this is the outer and most superficial layer of culture.

2. Values

        In observing a culture, you begin to realize that many of the behavior observed is apparently dictated by similar choices that other people in the society have made. These issues always concern choices about what is “good” what is beneficial or what is best’. Values help those who live within the culture to know ought to be done to fit in or conform to the pattern of life.

3. Beliefs

  Beyond the questions of behavior and values, we face a more fundamental question in the nature of culture. This takes us to a deeper level of understanding- that of cultural beliefs. In any culture, these beliefs answer the question of “What is true”. Values in culture reflect an underlying system of beliefs.

4. Communication

       To understand the culture need to know to know how to communicate, this takes a time to understand the culture of communication. It’s a way of the process wherein the information, Ideas, Opinions, thoughts, feelings, etc. Are transmitted between the two individuals.

Types of Communication:

• ·         Verbal Communication – Wherein you speak your subject matter, and others listen to it carefully and try to associate meaning with it.
• 
  
• ·         Non-verbal Communication- the receiver observe you and try to confer meaning to it.
• 
  
• ·         Written Communication- Wherein you write your message and others read it to derive meaning out of it.

In the greatest information age ever known in the history of mankind, never have seen such misinformation. We now have ability to go virtually anywhere in the world, to the most remote places, set up a satellite link, and show live television coverage in living color. From across the globe we can monitor the stock exchanges, second by second, of any country in the world. These seems to be no limit to the ever growing information capabilities we now possess. 

Jeremy Jithro Alesna
International Teams Philippines
Impact Digital World

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Redefine Missions or Define Missions

                     How will you redefine missions or define missions in your own.

Bringing transformation to every TRIBE! (unreached)

 Why we bring the transformation in every tribe, it’s because God command preach the Gospel bring transformation in every nation (ethno or tribes) . Bible says; “and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth- to every nation, tribe, language and people”. Rev 14:6. So us an Christian we are the accountable to share the word of God, especially our brother Muslims. It is our mission to, because they are also our ancestor. We are one pride, one nation and Christian nation. What was the hindrance? The feared of rejection, most is the hindrance that we cannot be able to share. Because in our inner feared, methinks that the Muslims are traitor, entrusted, etc. So our wrong prescription is cause of the stagnate. But as Jesus Christ told; “ Love your neighbor as your  Love your Self”.  It is in our hand, to change and give hope. Through our action, prayer, learn to love them. Why we bring transformation”.  Because I believe he needs hope and cares.  

What simple way/s can you do to win the unreached group?

·         Start praying worker to the unreached people group

·         Support mission works

·         Learn to strategize with other mission organization

·         Learn to Love their culture

·         Exposure in the field

·         Feeding, tutorial share the love of God

Bringing a transformation is something that people back to God. Proclaiming that the only way is Isa (Jesus) Christ.  “Fear of Man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). Never be assume that he know, but in our action can bring transformation to them. . Bible says “the gospel must be preached to the nation, and the ends will come” the gospel must first be preached to all nations (ethno). The same God, who died for us, is the same God who dies for them. He wants his name be known from “ethno” or nation, tribes and languages God bless.

You shall not hate your brother in you heart, but you shall reason frankly with neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge againts the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.  Leviticus 19:17-18

 Jeremy Jithro C. Alesna

International Teams Phil.

Impart Digital World

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Missiological and Cultural

    What can you learn from MISSIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS THAT HINDERS THE FILIPINO PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES FROM REACHING THE ISLAM?  

    Hindering Factors:

·              Reluctant(Selfish)

·              Fear

·               Ethno-centric

·              Ignorance/ Misconception about the mission

·              Imbalance distribution worker 

     What was the hindering factor the Filipino Pentecostal Churches from reaching the moros, It’s because the paradigm is the hindrance, why the Church not go. They grow in a wrong persuasion because he likes to persist in the Church than to go out. We cannot pursue because the self-fear is the hindrance, why Church was stagnant.  It was the bibles says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.(Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you,  you must do the mission, it’s God’s command to all Pentecostal Churches.  Nothing to worries about the hindrances, if God’s mission, He is with us . Reaching moros is hard, but if your good idea, is easy to win them. I learn a lot to Bro. Tom, about his topic, that the early Pentecostal Church in the Philippines, growing in the numbers, pursuance involved in the mission field. On account of they forsake the hindrance, and never fill fear to pursue what God tells to them.

     Story: Soldier

           This story of a soldier that ask for a prayer request to their Spiritual father. Last April 2017 Marawi is under siege of the elements of Islamic State Iran and Syria (ISIS). Declare all our war to Armed Forces of the Philippines. One day the Pastor visit the soldier house, fortunate to hear the good news. They tell that our God answers my prayer, I pray that you will do not dispatch to ground zero battlefields and remind to barracks. Soldier stand and start to angry, Said Its bitter than I die in the field rather than remaining in the barracks. Doing daily routine, set-up, push-up, and jogging. Better I will die in a ground zero fighting the enemy until the last drop on my blood, I will not surrender. The church needs to train, disciple and mentor not to remain but too sent to the field. When God you sent to the field He will provide everything. You need to step on and have a passion for the unreached people who logging to the gospel.

       Your Love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people Philemon 1:7

     Ps. Jithro C. Alesna 

     International Teams Phil.

     Blogger- Impart Digital World

   

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10/40 Window

THE 10/40 WINDOW

The majority of the unreached people live in a rectangular shaped window that has come to be known as the 10/40 Window.  The window extends from the coast of West Africa to the Eastern coast of Japan - from 10 degrees north of the equator to 40 degrees north.  This region contains most of the world’s Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhist.  Not only are these people spiritually poor, they are also without a much needed Christian witness through a solid local church movement. If we are to bring completion to the Great Commission we must face the compelling reality of this region of the world. 

Let’s look at the facts concerning this critical region of the world:

I.          The Historical and Biblical significance of the 10/40 window.

           A.        Almost at the center of the window is the Garden of Eden. The origin of man and the original  
                       mandate given by God took place in the heart of this window.

          B.         Sin entered here through Satan and man was robbed of his rightful place as administrator of 
                      earth. 

          C.         Man’s sinful behavior increased until God sent judgment through the flood.
          D.        Tower of Babel.

1.         A people in rebellion and pride.

2.         God intervenes and judges their rebellion - also forming the nations of the earth.

•  Ancient history began here as powerful empires rose and fell.
•  God raised up a people from Abraham to be a light to the nations.
•   Christ was born, ministered and was crucified on the cross here.

H.        He rose again and gave his disciples their last and only marching orders here.

I.       Not until Paul’s second missionary journey did Biblical history travel outside of the 10/40 window.

II.         Most of the Unevangelized live here.

              A.        The ‘unevangelized’ are people who have a minimal witness or no knowledge of the gospel, 
                         and have no valid opportunity to respond to it.

B.         60% of the world’s people live in the 10/40 window - 3.6 Billion people.

C.         Of the world’s 52 least evangelized countries, 31 are within the window.

1.         Those 37 countries equal 95% of the total population of the 52 countries!!!

2.         This brings us to the heart of the challenge of reaching the unreached.

D.        Jesus is calling all believers to all unbelievers!!!

III.       This area contains three of the world’s dominant religious blocs.

A.  The majority of those held captive by Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism live within the 10/40 window.  The populations in the window are:

1.         724 million Muslims

2          787 million Hindus

3.         240 million Buddhist

B.    Islam is reaching out strategically to all parts of the world.

            *We must seek to penetrate the heart of Islam with the Gospel.

C.  India is projected to be the most populated country in the world by the year 2020.  A 1991 survey identified 4,635 people groups within this nation.

D.        Religion in China is a mix of folklore, mysticism, animism and occult practices mixed with some Eastern religion.  The Chinese represent the largest single bloc of people in the window.

IV.       The poor live here.
A.        Of the poorest of the poor, more than 7 of 10 (77%) live in the 10/40 window.

B.         Over half the world lives in poverty with income less than $500 per person per year. 2 billion of these live in the 10/40 window.

C.         Also, those things that affect the quality of life are lowest in the window:

1.         Life expectancy is lower

2.         Infant mortality is higher

3.         Literacy is lower

D.        Of the 50 countries with the lowest quality of life, 8 of 10 people from these countries live here.

E.         ONLY SEVEN PERCENT OF ALL THE MISSIONARIES WORK AMONG THESE PEOPLE!!

F.         We must be reminded that the law, the prophets, the wisdom books, and the teaching and ministry of 
Jesus all stress God’s concern for the materially poor and our duty to defend and care for them.

G.        We cannot ignore the reality there is a remarkable overlap between the poorest countries in the world and those which are least evangelized or least reached.

V.        The Most Persecuted live here

        A.        86% of the countries with the most severe religious persecution are in or touching the windo
        B          Of the 22 worst countries in the world, 15 are in the window, and 4 are touching it.

VI.       The 10/40 Window is strategic because it contains the majority of the world’s least evangelized mega-cities.

A.        World class mega-cities are those with populations of more than 1 million.  There are 305 of these.

B.         In the last 50 years, more than 400 million people have moved into populated and growing cities. 
Another 700 million will move into those same urban areas in the next 20 years.

C.         Of the top 50 cities on the list, all 50 are in the window!

VII.      This area of the world is a major stronghold of Satan.

A.        The people living in the 10/40 window have suffered not only from poverty and a lower quality of life, but they have also been kept from the transforming power of the gospel. 

      1.         2 Cor 4:4

      2.         Satan has established a territorial stronghold to restrain the advance of the gospel here.

      3.         Daniel faced a similar stronghold (Dan 10:12-13)
      4.         The Persia that Daniel dealt with is now Iran, still a stronghold in the window!

B.         We must not view the situation with an “Impossible” attitude.

      1.         2 Cor 10:3‑4

      2.         We must not give one inch of land or one person to our enemy. 

             We must advance the gospel.

C.         George Otis Jr. has concluded that two powerful demonic forces, with great biblical significance stand in the very center of the unreached world:

1.         The Prince of Persia - Iran

2.         The Spirit of Babylon - Iraq

 

VIII.     What must we do?

A.        We must find our place as an active participant in advancing the gospel and reaching the unreached in the 10/40 window.

God Bless us Indeed

Ps. Jithro C. Alesna

International Teams Phil.

Blogger-Impart Digital World

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WHAT CONSTITUTE A CALL TO MISSIONS?

WHAT CONSTITUTE A CALL TO MISSIONS?

God uses different ways to call laborers. God uses whatever it takes to satisfy you that you have heard from God and received the call!!

The Elements of a Call

1.         NEED  John 4:4; Matt 9:36 Jesus saw the multitudes...  Unless you see the need you won't respond. Not always God Said! Just the need. Many nations are without hope unless we respond to the need!

2.         OPPORTUNITY - You can do something about it. Joseph - Gen 41 - He’s in prison. What opportunity is there? But the cup bearer and baker had a dream. God gave him a chance. Acts 3, Peter & John healed the man when he asked for a handout. Most of Asia is literally filled with “Unending Opportunities”

3.         REVELATION - “Divine Intervention” Voice, Prophet, Angel, Dream, Vision, Donkey. Acts 9 "What should I do?" Instant humility and Obedience! We miss God when we are slow to respond to the things he reveals.

The most spectacular is NOT always the most spiritual. We miss God only expecting the spectacular. 

The stronger your spirit man- the easier it is to be guided. Ps 32:8, 9 Guidance is usually - Subtle/Simple/Special for each person - it changes.  God would rather nudge or whisper than shove or shout!   

God usually gives the direction - the next step, blueprint - not the end. Preparation is always part of the process.

4.         ENTHUSIASM - "GOD FIRED" - God doesn't call us long term to something we hate. Disciples loved to catch fish. Mk 1:16-18. David loved music.

5.         TALENT - What are you good at? Your abilities give you responsibilities. If you’re saved and Spirit filled - God wants you to lead. God uses what you've got to offer. Romans 12:6-8.

6.         REASON - Some things just make sense. God doesn't always ask us to do things that seem ridiculous.  

Acts 8:4 Church scattered - Philip left and went to Samaria where revival broke out. "Faith is superior to reason, but not contrary to reason." God is not unreasonable. If it makes sense, it just might be God! Acts 16:24-27

7.         ENCOURAGEMENT - There will usually be encouragement for the gifts in you. What is God blessing right now? Acts 28:14-15. What do you do that others respond to? Follow that.

8.         ASSURANCE - Peace, heart settled. Does it feel right inside?  Ps 34:14 Always follow your peace.

9.         TIMING - God is never late...  Puts a direction in our heart. Eccl 8:5, 6  TIMING IS EVERYTHING! You can do more in 5 mins of God's timing than 5 years of yours!  Ps 1:2-3 Trees take time!

Dan 11:32 We don't have to come back.  We do have to go out! Are willing to go and bring back others?

 Ps. Jithro C. Alesna

International Teams Phil.

Blogger-Impart Digital World- blogger

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Missionary Calling 1

 QUESTION THAT NEED YOU IN THIS MISSION!

1.WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF MISSION?  Mission is Changing the culture of the Tribes. So when God call a mission you are bringing the Christianity to the different Culture. Like Muslim you bring the Christianity to change their faith into Christ, its a mission. .Philippines was Christian Nation, if your reaching out the Roman Catholic, that not a mission, but that is evangelism because you introduce Christ is the Saviour . e.i A mountain tribe, if the belief of them is god of stone or god of Tree, your mission to them is to share who is God, you bringing the through faith and changes the act of worship.

#2. DESCRIBE YOUR CALLING IN A MISSION? He teach me how to become a humble. To become a passionate. Since this time, I have grown into a more full understanding of the call to mission.  God has placed a number of unique experiences in my life in order to shape and prepare me for the work of shepherding and teaching.  In my personal life, raising from a Christian family, but lack of knowledge about sharing Gospel to the people. I have learned how to care for others.  I have experienced the power of Gospel-centered hope to change life and bring joy out of sorrow.  

      Though my initial call to mission was based on what I considered losses, I now see that it was all a part of God preparing me for His work.  I would not have made the choices I have on my own, and that has made all the difference.  I continue to seek God, His leading, and His calling on my life in my heart.  When that call matches the call from the visible Kingdom somewhere in the world, I will follow.

 #3. WHAT IS YOUR WORST MOMENT IN THE FIELD?  In the field you will be experience Culture shock, you will be going back to the primary basic. So if you have  through calling of God, nothing to impossible to Him. So my worst moment, longing to my family, a shocking food and  the cultures of the people.  

 #4.WHAT IS YOUR BEST MOMENT IN THE FIELD? To see People Receiving Jesus Christ, changing the way of Worship. Fellowship the elder of the tribes, eating their food and wearing there dress. Sometimes a best moment  is the heart to heart talk in different people, sharing about life. 

#5.   VISION IN MINISTRY 10 YEARS FROM NOW? To see my Seed, growing in the faith of God and to become Christ likeness. higher than I, they are bringing  more harvest and everyone worshiping and God spirit in truth.   

WHY SHOULD WE RESPOND TO MISSION? How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can hear without someone preaching to them. And how can they preach unless they are sent? As  it is written, “ How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”(Romans 10:14-15). So Every one was call to a different mission, some of us a, Sender or Goer. If we are not goes we are just like a selfish of Love to others that we cannot able to share.  

Ps. Jithro C. Alesna

International Teams Phil.

Blogger- Impart Digital World

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Cultural Differences and communication of the Gospel

At first I would like to acknowledge the author of this book entitled Cultural Difference and the communication of the Gospel ‘’ who is Paul G. Hiebert he is the Chairman of the Department of the Mission and Evangelism Divinity School. 

And he is an author also, one of his book is ‘’ cultural anthropology and Anthropological Insight of Missionaries and case studies in mission. With his loving wives Frances H. Hierbert I really appreciate Him as he wrote this document that inspired me to Go, and preach the word of God. As I am reading this document I’ve learned many things about Mission according to the author “you were excited when you are accepted to be a missionary” but the truth is it is not easy to land on a stage country, why? Because when you are going to another country especially if you bring the Gospel, you must learned their culture, and how can you learned their culture? 

You must observe first their behavior and their patterns for behavior, especially the way they Great each other, the way they eat, the way they manage their time so we must be careful and be watchful in every land that we landed. And its true that not all our ideas reflect the reality of the external world, for our minds creates many things used to bring order and meaning to our experience. 

And according to the author “we can create as many categories we want and we can organize them into Larger system for describing and explaining human experience in every people they have their own map, it is people mental map of our world and this is not just a map of our physical world, but also a map of determining actions and it provides to us with a guide for our own decision and our behavior”. What I’ve said at first that as we go to another land we must learned their culture first. And according to the author there are three hearts of a culture which is one of them is  “ shared beliefs “ as I’ve learned  its talks about the nature of reality that makes communicate and makes community life possible beliefs also tells people what exist and what does not the second is what we called “feelings” it is an important part in human relationships in our motions of etiquette and fellowship by our facial expression, tore voices and gesture  we already communicative hate scorn and a hundred others attitudes. 

The last one is “values” it is the heart of culture which people judge the experience by their own lives, and our values determines evil what is right and wrong, what is good and evil in our culture. And as usual as we go to the other land there would be a misunderstanding especially in culture. But the good thing is that we can solve the solution if we learn how the other culture works we will become a student of their ways, in order to understand them and preach the gospel to them. But then one thing I learned the most is that the cultural differences affects the Gospel in a way that the messenger “mustcommunicate in the language the people understand” and the second way is that “new believers must learn how to deal with their old cultural way”, and the third one is that, “if the church is to function well, church buildings forms of worship and leadership styles must be adapted the local cultural practices”. And last one in way evangelistic methods must be chosen that fit the culture. 

And I really appreciate the most as the author quoted “we must not underestimate or never overlook the fact that God is at works through his spirit in the hearts of the people opening their Blind eyes,(their spiritual eyes) and their depth ears, (their spiritual ears) in order to accept the word of God and applied in their lives. Even though sometimes we felt we are imperfect and we feelWe are unskilled to bring the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ and preach and teach it to them, still God uses it in order to transform the lives of people. And as Christian, communication must always be accompanied by prayer and obedience to the Gospel guidance and work of the Holy spirit. “Remember don’t be discourage if you see people are not changing especially when you already preach to them, remember this“ God says Go and preach my Gospel, not to go and change people, because actually you did your part and so allow God to do his part.”

Pastor Jeremy Jithro Alesna

International Teams

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