by Albert Heal, NCEM General Director
 

As I write this, I’ve just completed an 18-day trip via Mission aircraft, visiting our mission stations in northern Quebec and Labrador. I had not been to three of these stations previously, and was happy that I could be part of our team of four making the trip.

Near the end I was asked what I thought had been the most valuable part. It definitely was the people – our missionaries, and the Christians in these communities. Additionally, I now have a visual picture of where these people live Christ and present the Gospel.

Most of these places are very isolated. We were told that having visitors is a real treat, and a spiritual encouragement. We spent at least two days in each place. Sometimes our stays were prolonged by poor flying weather – but it seemed that our hosts would have been very happy if we’d gotten “weathered in” and had to stay longer.

We really appreciate our missionaries who serve in isolated places – both physically and spiritually – faithfully presenting Christ to lost people and discipling believers. We praise the Lord for believers, fellowship groups, and local churches added since NCEM began.

In this Northern Lights we’ve focused on “Presenting” in our church multiplication strategy. I’ve heard of research done on the subject of Bible knowledge. It was very interesting and disturbing to realize that very few people starting Bible college, and raised in Christian homes and churches, could answer basic questions about the Bible, the order of Bible stories, who they happened to, and the key teachings of Scripture.

NCEM believes that God’s Story is presented in all of Scripture, starting in Genesis. We feel strongly that it should be taught as a complete story so that people can truly understand in full God’s plan for mankind. That doesn’t mean that a person needs to know and understand everything before they come to Christ. However, it is important that people understand key foundational truths that reveal our sinful and helpless condition without Christ, and God’s plan of salvation through Christ.

When we ask people to make a decision concerning Christ, we need to make sure they are making an informed decision. Are they consenting to Christ as the foundation and the centre of their lives?

“Presenting” is teaching these truths of Scripture so that people truly understand and believe in God’s salvation through His Son, and the transformed lives He desires. We appreciate your continued prayers for the Holy Spirit to complete His work of building Christ’s Church.

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