Did you ever wonder if missionaries duplicate effort?
The awful truth is that sometimes, they do. That’s why I’m glad New Tribes Mission has a policy based on Romans 15:20, where Paul wrote, “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.” We don’t attempt to plant churches where there is already a church. Mind you, that’s not a building, but a body of believers, and if it’s healthy, a disciple factory.
At other times, what looks like duplication of effort is not. I once had someone tell me a particular people had a Bible translation, so why, I was asked, was New Tribes Mission saying they were unreached and planting a church there?
That was easy. Look around you. How many people do you know who have access to God’s Word in their own language – perhaps even have a copy or two themselves – but are unsaved?
I’m not saying God cannot work through the Bible alone. He can and does. But He told us to make disciples, and that’s the way He usually chooses to work.
That’s why Masalu’s work is important, but could be misunderstood.
Masalu, a Landuma Bible teacher in Guinea, is recording evangelistic Bible lessons on audio players for Landuma people who wish to listen to the message.
These Ambassador players by MegaVoice are designed to distribute Bible teaching messages to pre-literate people. They are simple to operate, rugged and have a solar panel to recharge the battery. Gifts from people in the USA made 100 players available for Landumas desiring to hear the Gospel message.
Shucks, who needs missionaries?
The Landuma people of Guinea. Among many.
"A little audio player certainly can't do the same job as a real live flesh-and-blood missionary," wrote Kirk Rogers. Kirk and his teammate Jim Sheffield have revised the lessons several times with the help of Landuma believers. And Masalu and Kirk follow up by asking questions of those listening to the lessons, and provide follow-up teaching.
The audio players are a big help. "They can be a tool to stimulate interest and get the people thinking biblically, so that our times spent sharing with them personally are more profitable," Kirk wrote.
But disciples are made by other disciples. With 2,500 tribes still waiting to hear the Good News and become followers of Jesus, there's still a need for missionaries.
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