A Pentecostal Global Perspective
We must keep a global perspective. We must know that, regardless of what may be happening in our own nation, God is still alive. We must also continue to discern His move as He works to bring about a Kingdom with unbelievable dimensions.
Whether doing chaplaincy or other general ministries, one must always have a “global view.” If we only saw what was happening in the United States or other parts of the world, we might think that Christianity—especially Pentecostalism—is on the decline. In fact, the statistics are so revealing about western nations that one could get very discouraged and think that we are losing the battle. Some researchers are predicting that by the year 2010, only 10 percent of those in the U.S. will attend church regularly. But, as we all know, this is only part of God’s great movement.
In Indonesia, where a majority of the citizens are of the Muslim faith, the Church of God now has almost two-and-a-half times the number of members as in the U.S. Or, take a look at what is happening in other parts of our world: South Korea is a great example of God’s vast Christian movement. Following World War II, only a very small percentage of South Koreans were Christians. Today, it is amazing to visit that country and witness that vast Christian movement. Churches are lit up all night on Fridays for prayer meetings, and mountains are alive with prayer in caves that are purposed for prayer. There are also so many other things to cite which make for a dynamic move of God. The same is true of Mexico, Central and South America. In the country of Brazil (where I am sure 75 years ago there was only a sprinkling of Pentecostals), there are, presently, millions of Pentecostals. Pentecostalism is still a dynamic movement with a growing, global impact.
Keeping a global perspective isn’t always easy. Sometimes, we would rather be a “tadpole in a fish bowl,” rather than an average fish in the vast depths of our oceans. We like to control and keep things on our level. Therefore, the temptation is always to keep the focus on us rather than on God’s global movements. It is more comforting to be in control, but this is precisely what the Lord wants to deliver us from. This is why the scriptures encourage us to look out on the vast harvest; this is why Elijah the prophet was encouraged to come out of his cave of fear and disillusionment to view, firsthand, the vast armies of saints who had yet to bow their knees to Baal or some other god.
We must keep a global perspective. We must know that, regardless of what may be happening in our own nation, God is still alive. And, we must continue to discern His move as He works to bring about a Kingdom with unbelievable dimensions.
Robert D. Crick
Director
Chaplains Commission
© 2009 Church of God World Missions
