Jesus Is Enough

 When I was in my mid-twenties, I lived in Los Angeles. I was preparing for missions and was attending the Church on Brady. It was actually the First Southern Baptist Church of East Los Angeles DOB as the Church on Brady. It was led by pastor Thom Wolf.

It was a great time in my life. I was single and completely unencumbered by anything permanent. Don't get me wrong, I love being married and have been for nearly 31 years, but not when I lived in LA. 

Anyway, I got to interact with so many people who were completely sold out for Jesus. And I loved it. 

One day, I was having coffee with a man who had been a missionary in a very poor part of a very poor country. I'll not give his name. He told me of the extreme poverty in which people called home and it was horrifying. He said that a number of prostitutes had given their lives to Jesus, but they continued in prostitution because there was no other way for them to make a living. 

When I questioned this man, he answered, "Jesus Christ is not the answer to every problem."

That statement has bothered me for nearly 40 years and I do not believe it to be true. In fact, I say, "Jesus is the answer to every problem." 

Jesus changes lives. Jesus makes a way when there is no way. Jesus saves in entirety. 

JESUS IS ENOUGH!

How can I say that? Because Jesus IS God! The Bible says that everything that has been created, Jesus created! If He can speak the world into existence, He can rescue a prostitute from prostitution. If Jesus can speak light into existence, He can restore people and families. If Jesus can raise from the dead, He can give eternal life. Yes, Jesus is enough!

30 Years Ago in China

I first stepped foot into China 30 years ago. It was a different place then.

First of all, there were bicycles EVERYWHERE! And hardly any cars at all. They had taxis and delivery vehicles and official vehicles and military vehicles and buses. But practically no one had private ownership of a car.

This is not my original pic, but is representative. This is Wuhan in 1980.

Second of all, foreigners were only issued "Foreign Exchange Certificates" instead of the Renminbi, or the People's Money. In fact, you had to have a special permit to use Renminbi if you were a foreigner. The exchange for the FEC was similar to what it is now (~8FEC to 1USD), but you could get over 60 RMB to 1 USD on the black market. (Just don't get caught with it!) Outside of the very large cities, no one knew what an FEC even was.

Thirdly, Americans (and other Caucasian foreigners) were still a rare sight. A year or so after my first visit, I was in the Guangzhou Zoo. A friend and I were watching the pit of monkeys (maybe 100 or so) and we noticed that the 400-500 Chinese were no longer watching the monkeys, but were watching US watch the monkeys!  Very strange indeed!

When I lived in Hong Kong, I traveled over the border many times. It was described as going back 100 years in just 12 miles. And it was like that. I used to smuggle in Scripture and religious materials from Hong Kong. It was against the law, yet I always declared it on my customs form. They would ask to see it and I would show them my Bible. I would speak very fast and tell them that this was my Bible and it was for me alone to use and I have a whole lot more in my bag, but THIS is my Bible. They never looked in my bag. If I remember right, the customs form at that time, asked if you had drugs, guns, pornography or Bibles.

In 1990 at the Great Wall

I have many wonderful memories of my many visits to China over the past 30 years. It is really hard to find any remnant of the China I remember. But I have my memories.
Pray for the people of China. Pray that God would draw them to Himself and that they would know Jesus.

Jewish Messiah

I found the following description of who the Jews are looking to as their messiah:

The Mashiach

The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David (Jeremiah 23:5). The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David). He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11:2-5). He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33:15). But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.
It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the mashiach. If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the mashiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the mashiach, then that person is not the mashiach. 

What About Jesus?

Jews do not believe that Jesus was the mashiach. Assuming that he existed, and assuming that the Christian scriptures are accurate in describing him (both matters that are debatable), he simply did not fulfill the mission of the mashiach as it is described in the biblical passages cited above. Jesus did not do any of the things that the scriptures said the messiah would do.                                                                        [http://www.jewfaq.org/mashiach.htm]

When I was in Israel last December, I was sitting on the steps of the Church of the Agony just outside the Garden of Gethsemane, looking across to the Eastern Gate. I asked our Jewish tour guide what she thought about the messiah. Her thoughts were extremely similar to the views expressed above.  She did laugh at the Muslims for thinking they could prohibit the Messiah from using the Eastern Gate by putting a cemetery there. She said that the messiah would have supernatural properties and could fly over the cemetery, if he wanted to. She also said that a cemetery wouldn't stop him anyway, as he would not be a levite and therefore not have any prohibition regarding touching the dead.

View of the Eastern Gate with Muslim cemetery blocking the entrance at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

 
Our church prays for Israel and for the Jews that they would recognize Jesus as God's Son, and therefore the Messiah or Mashiach.

Sunday Morning Message (11/11/12)

Here is my Sunday morning message "Your Part in Missions & Evangelism" based on Luke 16:19-31:

The Jordans at ISBC

Randy and me

Ukraine Mission Trip Report Summary

Thank you to everyone who prayed and gave monetarily regarding my trip to the Ukraine.  Here are the highlights of the trip:

October 13-25, 2011

Donets'k, Ukraine

• Preached in 14 different locations.
• Drove over 1500 miles in Donets'k and surrounding districts.
• Distributed 500 Russian Bibles.
• Saw 46 people make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. (over all teams)
• Heard testimonies of persecution and faithfulness by Ukrainian Baptists.
• Enjoyed numerous fellowship times with believers.
• Gained a greater respect for public professions of faith.
• Refocused vision from temporal to eternal.
• Sampled numerous variations of cabbage and potatoes.
• Tried partially cured lard for the first time.
• Spent the night in Frankfurt, Germany on the way home.

Me and my interpreter, Helen, delivering a sermon.

The home where I stayed while in Donets'k.

At a fellowship meal. The woman on the right had been beaten with sticks because of her faith in Jesus Christ.

A 17th century Russian Orthodox church building.

Bobby & Jeannette Smith (with Helen) preparing to sing.

Me at the Sea of Azov (connected to the Black Sea)

Students holding up their new Bibles.

A 21st century rural Baptist church in Ukraine.

Pastor Dima (r) and Deacon Genna at a fellowship meal.

Bobby Smith distributing Bibles.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

I leave today for Donestk, Ukraine, for a 2 week preaching crusade. I'm going with Bobby Smith (from Muskogee) and others.

I fly to Chicago, then Munich, then Donestk. Coming back, we'll add Frankfurt, where we'll spend the night.

Even though I was a missionary for nearly 12 years, I've never been on a mission trip of this type before.

Prayer Requests:

• Safety while we travel throughout Southeast Ukraine
• Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as I preach the Gospel each day
• Refreshment of my own spirit
• Good health for the duration of the trip

I am supposed to have wireless service where I'm staying, so I'll try to update Facebook regularly, then this blog when I get back.

Funds Needed for Mission Trip to Ukraine

Monday, I received an invitation to participate in a mission trip to Ukraine in October. It is called a "Witnessing and Crusade Trip."  It is scheduled for October 13-25. I will be preaching 2-3 times each day and 4 or 5 times each Sunday in the Donestsk region of Ukraine.

Here's the "tricky" part.  The $3000 required for the trip is due September 1st, paid in full.

I simply do not have the funds to go.  I am trusting God for these funds and am appealing to my friends, family, and acquaintances for donations.

If you would like to participate with me in this mission trip, you can send your tax deductible donations to:

Ukraine Mission Trip
c/o Immanuel Baptist Church
611 N. Gertrude Ave
Wagoner, OK 74467

Make the check payable to Immanuel Southern Baptist Church and mark it: Ukraine Mission Trip.  Please do not put my name on the check.  You may attach at note, but please do not make the check out to me if you would like a tax receipt.

I do have a Paypal account, but will be unable to provide a tax receipt.  Please contact me if you would like to use this option.

If you would like more information about this ministry opportunity, please see this link: http://bobbysmithministries.com/Ukraine%20Missions

If you are not able to participate financially, I desire your prayers. While I may have served as a career missionary for more than 10 years, I have never been on a preaching crusade such as this. 

Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support.

God bless!

Rick Boyne

Talking About Africa

It was such a delight to have Bill & Julie Johnson and their family come for a visit this evening!  I went to college with Bill at OU and we were all neighbors when we lived in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.  Bill drove us to the hospital the night Emily was born.  Audrey and Karis were best friends when they were young.

Boynes and Johnsons

It was so fun to reminisce about old times in Abidjan.  To remember friends, events, and a time before civil war tore it all apart.  We all agreed that we REALLY miss Chez Abou's!

MK's now PK's

What was really neat was to watch the kids reconnect after so much time.  It was as if it had only been since last week that they have seen each other. There is something about a connection that MK's have with each other that they can't share with others.  It is an experience shared that others simply can never understand.

While we only had an evening to share, it was a treasured one.  In fact, for the girls, it's still going on, as Karis and Kristen are spending the night. (a really big deal since, it means a night that they won't spend at grandma's house)

We shared so many meals together overseas; it was so nice to do so again. (see picture of grill, below)  Good friends are few and far between, but friends like this are just incredibly rare.  But, like the children, we can take up in the relationship as if it was only last week.

We left Abidjan in 2002.  We saw them in 2007 and 2009.  WAY too long between visits.

I thank God for the blessing of friends.

Burger Time

A feast for friends!

Rejoicing over God's Word

Do you have a Bible?  You do?  Do you read it?  Do you know where it is?  How many do you have?

Below is a video of the Kimyal tribe in Papau, New Guinea, receiving God's Word for the very first time.

It puts me to shame.

Click on the "expand" button to make it full screen.

Then go and get your Bible. Read it.




[HT: Matt Harmless]

Christmas in West Africa

Here are a few Christmas pictures from our time in West Africa:

Audrey in Mamou Guinea in 1998 (hoping we'd get our crate with our tree)

Boyne Family, Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire 2001

Emily as Mary - Abidjan, 2001

Staff Christmas Party - Abidjan, 2001

Pretending to be precious in Abidjan - 2001

Mission Christmas Party - Abidjan 2001

Julie, Karis, Kristen, and Bill Johnson - Abidjan 2000

Stephanie, Jenny & Chad - Abidjan 2000

Chinese pastor, wife slain at church served by Lottie Moon

I had the privilege of meeting pastor Qin back in 2004.  He was a gracious and Godly man.

 Rick and Pastor Qin in the Old Lottie Moon Church as described in the Baptist Press article below

I'm sorry, but I've cut and pasted the Baptist Press story into my blog.  I have attached the original link to the headlines below:

Chinese pastor, wife slain at church served by Lottie Moon

Posted on Sep 3, 2010 | by Staff

PENGLAI, China (BP)--A Chinese pastor and his wife were slain Aug. 31 at Penglai Christian Church, where Lottie Moon, an icon of Southern Baptist mission work, served in the early 1900s in Penglai, China.

Pastor Qin Jia Ye and his wife Hong En He, both in their 80s, were killed in the church's office on Wednesday.

The suspect -- a 40-year-old former church member -- was arrested within an hour of the early morning incident.

The couple's violent death is a shock to many, both in China and the United States. The church was closed for 49 years after communists came to power at the end of World War II, reopening in 1988 with only 20 people.

Qin reported 300 baptisms several years in a row. Today, there are 3,600 members.

Chinese newspaper accounts state that the suspect entered the church office carrying an axe and struck the pastor and his wife, killing them both.

The church eventually outgrew Moon's original structure and built a modern 1,500-seat sanctuary next to it with the help of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga.

"From the moment I met Pastor Qin, I could sense a Christ-like spirit," said Bryant Wright, Johnson Ferry senior pastor and current Southern Baptist Convention president. "We are incredibly saddened by this tragic event, but we know one of the Lord's faithful servants is with Him forever in Heaven."

Qin graciously acted as tour guide for a large number of Southern Baptist leaders passing through Penglai who wanted to connect with the community where Moon served.

Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer of Woman's Missionary Union, visited the church during a 1997 China tour. In spite of numerous church responsibilities, Qin and his wife welcomed the group warmly, Lee said, and it was obvious they were well-loved and respected.

"We are deeply grieved at the news of [the] death" of Qin and his wife, Lee said. "It is a great loss to the Christian community."

Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, took seven college students to China in 2008 to experience firsthand the history and work of Southern Baptists. Penglai Christian Church was a stop on the tour.

McIntosh remembers admiring Qin's humble and quiet strength as he prepared for worship, as well as his ability to state the message clearly for all to understand. After the service, Qin spent a great deal of time talking with the team of young women about Moon's legacy.

"He was so encouraged that younger women were there, learning about the history of Lottie Moon and the Chinese church," McIntosh recalled. "I know the legacy of Lottie Moon will live on, but one of its greatest communicators is no longer with us. I know Qin's legacy will live on, too."
--30--

Letters from Africa

This is an email newsletter I received this morning from a former colleague in West Africa.

Tuesday, I found myself in the “sitting room” of a common home/dwelling here in West Africa.  It is called a chambre/salon which translates into a sitting room and a bedroom.  Most everyone cooks outside, bathes outside, and the outhouse is of course also found outside.  These two room homes are usually adjoining and one right after the other in a long building. Each 2 room house can support from one person to a family of 6 or more. The sitting room might be 8 by 10, and each of these homes share a common courtyard. 

Three men came from Ouaga, and I and another pastor came from the south.
We had driven about 9 hours to arrive and the folks from Ouaga had driven 4.  This particular home is the home of a man that has been working in the “border town,” and is the pastor of a small Baptist church start.  I listened as the men became acquainted, and I heard the names of missionaries that had come before me and had been a part of forming these particular men.  I acknowledged before God all the ground that had been broken before I ever arrived on the scene and the many, many seeds that had been planted. Not to mention the discipleship time that had been invested to bring us to this moment
in time.    

We all recognized that this meeting was not by chance and was ordained by God.  I then listened as they each broke into spontaneous song and prayer just to thank God that we had all converged on this town, at this time, and with the vision to reach the lost.  It was an amazing spirit filled moment.

As we continued in conversation, the discouragement on the part of the pastor was clear.  He has been working in the town for 3 years and fast approaching the end of his support. His head was hanging down, and he appeared to be close to broken.  I think our visit, purposefully searching him out, and the vision that was cast were the jump start that his heart so desperately desired.  He expressed how he was ready to throw in the towel, and one of the pastors among the group came along side to say, “You can’t give up.  These baby Christians need to be nourished.” 

We then shared with him our vision for the truck drivers and modeled the method of sharing the stories.  He was enthralled.  The next step was to take to the streets to the real classroom.  The first driver that they came across, politely listened, but he really had no interest.  The second driver accepted Christ. 

You can perceive a fear by many to approach a Muslim.  What was modeled that day was obedience no matter the setting.  Stop the Press!  As I am typing at this moment, I have just received a text message from the Pastor in the border town.  He message says, “2 young women just accepted Christ while he was sharing the stories.”  Looks like his boldness has been spurred on. :-)

I’m still not sure what the Lord has in the works for this location.
This pastor is encouraged and committed to lead us to the people that can be trained to reach the truck drivers.  We wait with anticipation on how the Lord will provide the support for this man and his family.  It would be easy for me to step up and support him for this work, but one of the critical elements to reaching the lost in a way that can be sustained and reproduced is for our African brothers and sisters to take ownership in vision, the method, and how it is financially accomplished.
Waiting is not my strong suit.

Pray with me;

*    If this is where the Lord would have Pastor M*** stay, hissupport will be revealed.
*    Pray that the Lord will reveal to M***  and to us the men tobe trained to reach the truck drivers.

Your prayers have been monumental.  Please continue to pray for the “border town.”  There are great things in store.

Missions Presentation at KBA

I was honored to serve as camp missionary this year again, at KBA.  Tuesday was about Thailand, Wednesday was about West Africa, Thursday was about China, and Friday was about Disaster Relief.

Dressed up in my Guinean Bu-bu

In my Disaster Relief Chaplain's Uniform

Fulani in the News

When Sally and I were in West Africa, we were assigned to a team that worked with a sub-group of the Fulani.  The Fulani are the largest people group/tribe in West Africa, coming in at over 20,000,000 people.  Our sub-group had about 2 million.

I subscribe to a news alert email system that lets me know different trouble spots in the world.  It is very handy if you have an affinity to a certain country or part of the world, as much of the news that they send, you won't find on CNN or Fox.

Today's email included a bit about the Fulani in Nigeria:

Nigeria (Country threat level - 5): On 4 July 2010 approximately 200 suspected Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacked Gana Wuri, a Christian village in the Riyom area of Nigeria’s northern Plateau state. Riyom is located approximately 19 mi/30 km south of Jos, the state capital. The attackers were heavily armed, and at least one person was killed and two others were injured in the incident. Authorities believe that the perpetrators were cattle rustlers from neighboring Kaduna state. At least seven people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

ASI Comment: The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks against the minority Christian population in the region. Similar incidents also took place in the Riyom area in March and April 2010, during which at least 14 people were killed. The attacks also come soon after Boko Haram, a local militant Islamist sect, threatened renewed violence on the one-year anniversary of its attacks that killed at least 300 people in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Yobe states in July 2009.

You can subscribe to HotSpots by clicking this link: www.asigroup.com

Pray for the Nigerian Christians.  Pray for the Muslims in West Africa.  Pray for the missionaries who engage the Fulani.

Trouble in Morocco

From HOTSPOTS:

Morocco (Country threat level - 3): Moroccan government sources reported on 21 May 2010 that authorities have notified another group of foreigners in Morocco of their impending removal from the country for alleged Christian evangelizing activity; an offense punishable under Moroccan law. The 23 notified foreign nationals are predominantly Westerners, including at least one U.S. national. U.S. Embassy officials indicated that they are concerned about the second wave of deportations and are questioning the basis of the removal. The recent notifications follow a similar expulsion of Westerners in early March 2010. Local missionary and Christian groups in the country stated that many Christians are now worried about a perceived low-level government crackdown on Christians in the country.

ASI Comment: Although Morocco maintains good relations with most Western nations, and especially the U.S., diplomatic tensions have increased recently following Morocco’s recent refusal to abide by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. International watchdog groups have noted that the recent moves are not only in response to increasing international criticism, but also the government's efforts to deter Muslim conversions to Christianity in the country. Although the situation is not expected to result in violent targeting of Westerners or Christians in the country, rising tensions could include other politically motivated, official acts as well as further deportations of foreigners from the country.

A Very Good Day

Sally and I took at trip to Oklahoma City Wednesday night and returned last night.

The main purpose of the trip was to attend a missions conference.  I attended, but to be honest, I didn't attend any of the break-out sessions.

I stayed in the commons area and spoke with my friends.  We caught up on the past three years and I truly loved it.  Many of them said many kind words and encouraged Sally and I greatly.

It was a three day conference, but I could only go the one day.  It looked to be a top-notch conference and I'm sure God will bless it and multiply the efforts.

While in OKC, Sally had an interview with Teacher Review Board so that she can get her teaching license.  She nailed it.  They verbally told her they would recommend her for licensing.  PTL!

I suppose the thing that I came away from the conference is the knowledge/conviction that I am exactly where God wants me to be.  Formerly, every missions conference I have attended, I felt as if I should be serving overseas.  But, I came away with this without that feeling. 

Oh yes, I still miss the excitement of being an ex-pat.

I love the travel.

I miss my friends.

I miss the excitement of cross-cultural ministry.

But, I know my place of service, at least for the moment, is right here in Wagoner, OK.

I have no plans to move, change ministries, or quit what I'm doing.  I love pastoring more than I ever thought I could.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve Him, no matter where in the world I may be.

Missionary Quote

Sunday evening, we had Bryan and Melissa Abbott of New Tribes Missions in our church.  The provided us with an update of their first two years in Indonesia.

Bryan said something profound that I wanted to share in this format.

The Great Commission isn't something God gave us just to keep us busy until Christ returns. ~ Bryan Abbott

I thought this was quote-worthy and hope it provides you with something to think about today!