by Jon Konnerup
BBFI Mission Director
Danger for Christ’s sake is both a past and present reality. When thinking of such danger, we think of martyrs of the past. It is estimated that 70 million believers have died as martyrs over the centuries, which is a staggering figure. But even more staggering is that about 45 million, or two-thirds of that number, gave their lives in the 20th century. The point is that danger from a world that hates God has not diminished but has increased and has become aggressively more violent.
Because of these facts and the dangers missionaries face, we are developing what we refer to as the BBFI Theology of Risk. We understand that serving the Lord in the 21st century may be an even more dangerous enterprise than in the 20th. We want our new missionaries and their sending churches and families to be aware of those dangers and risks.
The ministry of BBFI missionaries is reflected by what Paul wrote concerning his own ministry in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER DANGER IN WORKING OUT HIS PURPOSES
Romans 8:35-39 demonstrates that danger cannot separate the believer from the love of Christ; in fact, the passage states that even while in danger, the believer is more than a conqueror. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Danger never takes God by surprise or finds Him “off-guard.” He is never confused regarding what we should do in times of danger, nor is He ever uncertain of His plans for us as we are going through these times.
DANGER IS A REALITY TO ALL BELIEVERS
Believers should not think of danger for Christ’s sake as a result of location or occupation but of relationship. Jesus said in John 15:18-21, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you … If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you … But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake.”
It is important to point out that pertaining to danger, this scripture makes no distinction between a believer and a foreign missionary.
The Word of God does not make a distinction in the danger that may come to the Christian who witnesses for Christ in his home area and danger that comes to the Christian who is considered a “foreign missionary.” The Bible, in fact, encourages us to view danger as a reality we all face, rather than danger that certain few missionaries must face. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
Paul wrote to all believers of all generations, geographic locations, and occupations when he said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:11-12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
DANGER COMES SPECIFICALLY TO THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL
Although believers will face persecution from the world in any geographic location and in any occupation, simply because of their relationship with Christ, some geographic locations are “hot spots” religiously or politically, and preaching the gospel in those areas may incite anger from those who are anti-Christian.
Believers who devote their lives to the spreading of the gospel, either in their own hometown or in a foreign country, should be prepared to face the probable animosity of the enemies of the gospel. Paul wrote, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things” (2 Timothy 1:11-12).
BIBLICAL BASIS FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Paul told his friends; “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Perhaps no believer can be truly prepared for suffering, imprisonment, and martyrdom until those things face them. It appears God gives the grace we need when we need it. Paul was prepared in the sense of having faced the very real possibility that death could come to him by martyrdom and because he was firmly convinced that Jesus Christ was worthy of his life and death.
The apostles and elders considered Barnabas and Paul to be “men that have hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:26). Like Paul we must be convinced that Christ Himself and the task He has given us is really worth dying for.
Faithfulness should be our priority when facing extreme danger or even persecution. We may be inclined to think that escape or deliverance is the priority, but scriptures seem to declare otherwise.
Hebrews 11:35-38 gives the account of believers who could have escaped martyrdom but deliberately chose not to do so. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” It was clear that a way out of suffering was offered these believers if they compromised or denied God, but they did not accept deliverance and chose martyrdom instead.
Jesus’ words to the church at Smyrna in Revelation 2:10 show that faithfulness to the Lord, not escape, is what is priority when facing death: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
We know that God uses persecution and martyrdom to glorify Himself and further the gospel. Paul told the Philippian believers that he wanted them to understand that what was happening to him was for “the furtherance of the gospel.” He indicated that many other believers were bolder to speak the word without fear, having seen Paul in bonds.
As we face danger for Christ’s sake, we become very aware of the risk of losing our possessions or even our own lives.
It is important to maintain perspective when facing extreme danger and possible loss. Peter gave this perspective in 1 Peter 1:6, 7: “… ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
The safety of our missionaries is an important aspect of missionary care; however, we are reminded that there is an urgency for the people of the world to hear the message of the gospel. There is also an understanding that often mission work can be dangerous.
We want to be ready to help our missionaries assess the risk and to decide when to flee and when to face. We understand that both fleeing and facing can be godly responses to danger. The Mission Office comes alongside the sending pastor to give advice and assistance in making these decisions.
The Mission Office staff is undergoing crisis management training. We will be giving different levels of training to our missionaries, determined by the area of the world in which they live and serve. Because the missionaries are approved by the BBFI, most governments, including our own, see the BBFI Mission Office as the responsible party in case of an emergency or crisis situation. There are certain liabilities that go along with that responsibility. Therefore, we must be prepared for these things. However, in our dealings with ANY situation, the sending church and pastor will be involved. We believe that is the Biblical pattern. The sending church is the sending agency and therefore has the final authority.
We appreciate the opportunity given to us by the churches to help in the preparation and care for the honorable servants of God sent with the gospel to the regions beyond us.
To read the entire September 2013 Global Partners click here.