Gathering the Unreached
Former director of Church of God World Missions, Roland Vaughan, recently gave thought-provoking insight into “Gathering the Unreached.” His address took place at the Church of God pre-Assembly missions conference in Orlando earlier this summer.He shared staggering facts; such as 7,000 people groups around the world are still considered unreached. More surprising is the fact that only five cents of every $100 given in tithes and offerings to the church worldwide goes to reaching those groups who have never heard the gospel.
A casual study of Church of God giving reveals the same statistics within the denomination. Some may respond, “This is not the area I was called to,” but Vaughan reminded those in attendance: “The church has one true mission and that is to glorify God by dedicated obedience to fulfill the Great Commission, making the gospel available in all the world.” God placed certain unreached people groups within the grasp of Church of God ministries for the purpose of reaching them.
Our eyes will be tempted to focus inward, but God commands us to “look up” and see what is before us, a harvest ready for reaping. In a powerful analogy, Vaughan cautioned us not to be like award-winning, classic cars, beautiful and polished, but only fit for competition, not the original work for which they were created. They exist to be seen but offer very little service. He also shared a timely reminder that “The greatest trick of the enemy is to distract us so we will accept God’s better for His best, busyness instead of accomplishment, and partial obedience for full obedience.”
While financial support is important, Vaughan stressed the fact that intercessory prayer is the most essential element of reaching the unreached. It is a spiritual battle above anything else. Beverly Pegues, prayer missionary with Window International Network in Colorado Springs, Colorado, finished the session by speaking on prayer over the areas of unreached people groups, and the strongholds that have kept them in spiritual darkness. She quoted Andrew Murray, “The men who mobilize the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelism in history.” Pegues also shared a moving video of 7,000 Christians from a restricted access area who gathered to pray openly in a Muslim village. Knowing this could mean certain death, they fasted and prayed before they took this step of faith and obedience. They were not praying for themselves, but for other nations with unreached people groups in the 10/40 window. Pegues closed with prayer for unreached people groups, admonishing those in attendance to continue praying for those who have yet to hear the gospel.
–Stephanie Hanrahan, World Missions Media Team
© 2012 Church of God World Missions
