Ministry Corner

September is "The Month of the Bible" here in the DR.  Nationwide, activities, rallies, evangelism events, fundraisers and prayer services are held in reverence for the Scriptures and their importance in the lives of believers.  More than that, the Bible is honored as an influential writing for the direction of the country.  There is great pride in the fact that the DR has the only national flag that has the Bible at it's center - and that it is opened to John's verse that says "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

This week, in honor of the Bible, each one of our schools took time out of their day to walk through their communities, singing worship songs, speaking verses, and proclaiming their faith to their neighbors.  It was exciting to see such a public display of support for the Word of God.  I also found it so interesting because it once again highlighted the differences in mainstream evangelism here versus in the US.  Down here there is a very aggressive approach taken in evangelism.  Nobody is ashamed, embarrassed or bashful about getting out and sharing the message of the Gospel through movies in the streets, marches in communities, rallies in public parks, tracts handed out on street corners, widely publicized church events, and so much more.  While the methods do sometimes overlap with methods I'm more accustomed to, its the agressiveness of the delivery that often startles me.  It isn't the soft spoken, non-offending approach that we're more comfortable with.  And yet, the fruit of the Gospel is so evident and abundant.  Both the method and delivery hit the mark time and again - and time and again I am reminded that I am not  home and that home does not have the corner on the market for sharing the Goodnews.