Jesus, as he ascended from the Mount of Olives, gave this instruction to His followers, “Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world” (Acts 1:8, CEV).
From its inception, this has been the object of Gospel Outreach: sharing Jesus with the most neglected region of the world—the 10/40 Window. Principally, this has been done through the efforts of national lay workers through the administrative support of local church missions. God abundantly has blessed, and hundreds of thousands have been introduced to Jesus as a result.
“Christ sought to teach the disciples the truth that in God’s kingdom there are no territorial lines, no caste, no aristocracy; that they must go to all nations, bearing to them the message of a Savior’s love” (AA, p. 20).
To carry forward this work where evangelism is proscribed by law is a constant challenge. As much as 80 percent of the 10/40 Window is classified as not open to Christian evangelism. But, “as the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth” (3BC, pp. 1147, 1148).
“All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 26).
In seeking to begin work where it is not possible to sponsor the typical Gospel Outreach evangelist, we have prepared television productions in the Farsi (Persian), Armenian and, now most recently, the Arabic languages.
Programs are being broadcast on several satellites into the entire Middle East. At least one out of every six people on earth potentially is able to receive these programs.
So far, the broadcast time mainly is free of any charge to us. This is providential, and it gives us encouragement to try to do more. The response thus far has been unexpected and amazing.
It is instructive to me that the angels of Revelation 14 and 18 are flying in mid heaven. Flying would suggest speed. Might it also suggest the positioning of television satellites? It is amazing that in some of the remotest areas, people will find the resources to buy a satellite receiver and a television. They are watching, and they will hear.
Jesus said, “The sheep follow Him [the Shepherd] for they know His voice” (John 10:4).
Just now we have the opportunity to develop many more programs in Arabic, lacking only adequate funding. If the Spirit is inviting you to have a part of this project, mark your gift for Arabic video production.
May God bless you as you seek to advance His kingdom.