Spring 2011 EmbracE  1

2  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  32  EmbracE Spring 2011

T he life and ministry of Jesus was one of con-stant embrace. At the incarnation, the Eternal

One embraced humanity in an almost unfathom-able way, and “pitched his tent among us” (John 1:14). At the cross, the Author of Life embraced suffering and death so that we would be set free (John 3:16). And at every point in between, He con-stantly embraced those that no one else would. He embraced prostitutes and tax collectors, lepers and the lame. And, many of them embraced Him in re-turn, and found the gift of life and wholeness that He so freely offered.

To embrace the will of God is to engage in a re-ciprocal activity. It is always a partnership of sorts. Jesus said: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). Jesus’ entire life was an act of embrac-ing the will of the Father. As Jesus gave Himself over to the plans of the Father, divine power worked in Him and through Him; and individual lives, commu-nities, and the world were changed forever.

This is why we feel that Embrace is an appropri-ate name for this magazine. Our desire in Africa is to be a community of diverse people, ideas and back-grounds, who share the common goal of increas-ingly embracing God and His purposes, in all their complexity. In Africa they say: “one person can-not embrace the Baobab.” This is of course, a call to community. Just as one person cannot get their hands around that enormous tree, neither can we get our hands around all that God is doing on the continent, or even in our own locale unless we join hands and work together. We hope that Embrace will empower all of us to do this a little better than we could alone. x _________________________________________________________________

Embracing christ, his plan for our livEs, his transformational intEntions for thE family of mankind, his spEcific lovE for africa! _________________________________________________________________

Embrace | Summer, 2011 | Number 1Publisher: Assemblies of God World Missions – AfricaMike McClaflin, Regional Director

Aaron Santmyire, missionary/family nurse practi-tioner in Madagascar, introduces a young Malagasy

girl to a stethoscope. Her expression reveals her hesitation and unsure feelings about the stetho-

scope, and possibly Aaron! Madagascar is an island nation of 21 million inhabitants off the southeast-

ern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean Basin.

Editor: Don Tucker Assistant Editor: Jerry Ireland

Editorial Coordinator: Deborah Tucker Editorial Assistant: Phil Malcolm

Assisant: Michael DavisRegional Director – Africa: Mike McClaflin

Graphic Art: Chase Replogle

Embrace580 W Central St, Springfield MO 65802

Phone: (417) 851-5895 Fax: (417) 851-5899Email: embrace@africaagcare.org

I cannot think of a time when I have felt more privileged to be part of all things Africa than during this hour of His kingdom. The great re-demption revival sweeping the continent and

surrounding island nations gives us great joy in our pursuit of the sovereign work of our Master.

Always lurking near, however, even in the course of this expression of His sovereign grace, are the ever-present contradictions, challenges, and crises that plague the people of Africa on a daily basis, compet-ing and frequently running parallel with people’s daily walk with the Lord.

We are presently attempting to maximize the desire of Assemblies of God World Missions – Africa to do all we can in the arena of compassion ministries. We have moved to create a consortium, a “rallying point of like-minded practitioners and ministries,” man-dated to pool ideas and practices into a relational motif that will maximize “the best that we have for all the rest.”

Thus, Africa AG Care has been birthed. AAGC works with the goal that the relational sum of all the parts will not only care for those whom we serve, but

will also give us a sense of corporate identity. We believe this step will enable us to understand both ourselves and those who question what we are and what we do as we minister to the physical, hurting needs of the millions in Africa who face each day with daunting life issues.

In the weeks ahead, the mission of Africa AG Care and its goal of facilitating and undergirding the many avenues of compassion expression practiced by missionaries and national churches, will become increasingly apparent. The launch of an Africa-spe-cific compassion magazine is part of our strategy to enhance awareness and participation in what we are doing.

This inaugural issue of Embrace is our first public presentation of an exciting new endeavor which we believe will be supported by the endorsing hand of the Holy Spirit. x

Enjoy!Mike McClaflinRegional Director for AfricaAssemblies of God World Missions

Mike McClaflin is a career Assemblies of God missionary to Africa currently serving as regional director for Africa and the surrounding island nations for the U.S. Assemblies of God.PHOTO RIGHTS: ABOVE: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

4  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  5

T here has been a long and sordid history of tension in the Church between advocates of a purely evangelistic strategy to missions, and those who favor an emphasis on

compassionate ministries – or, what some term social action. Some understand the Bible as calling followers of Christ to preach the Gospel to the lost, and nothing else. Others argue that the Bible is a mandate for social justice and civil rights, and that the teachings of Christ are meant to elevate our way of thinking about one another, and the world in which we live. To follow Jesus is, for this latter group, to engage in making the world a better place. Others try to strike a balance between these two extremes and incorporate compassionate and developmental ministries with those of evangelism. In 2009, this tension took center stage at the General Council of the Assemblies of God when some expressed fear that the fellowship might be starting down the road to a social gospel. Those fears are not entirely baseless, as this has indeed happened with other denominations. So, how are we to move forward? How are we who seek to be a part of what God is doing to strike the right balance, particularly in places like Africa where suffering is rampant and basic human needs often go unmet? How can we guard against losing the missional-evangelistic focus that has been part of our identity from the very start? I believe that the Great Commission found at the close of Matthew’s Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20) can perhaps provide some answers.

The GreaT Commission: maTThew 28:18–20 in ConTexT

It is hard to imagine Jesus giving a more inclusive mandate to His followers than when He told them, in essence, “Wherever you go, turn others into what you are. Oh, and by the way, do it everywhere, to everyone, teaching them everything!”

In real estate, the rule is location, location, location. In Bible study, it is context, context, context. If we are to truly understand the Great Commission, then we must begin reading, not at Matthew 28:1, but at Matthew 1:1. It is only in reading the full account of Matthew’s record of the life and ministry of Jesus that we can faithfully interpret the true meaning of “everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20).

Matthew’s Gospel begins with a simple, but theologically pregnant statement: “The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). Matthew’s intention here is to give birth to the long-awaited hope of the Jewish people in the Person of Jesus Christ. The key components of that hope derive from the promises of the two covenants alluded to in verse 1––the Abrahamic covenant, and the Davidic covenant. God had assured Israel that a day would come when He would deliver them from oppression, give them rest from their enemies, and usher them into a kingdom governed by God’s “reign, rule, and sovereignty.” Plus, God’s blessings would one day be availed to all people on earth, and would come through Israel in general,

and through a descendent of both Abraham and David, specifically. Matthew wastes no time alerting his audience that this descendant was Jesus Christ. Israel’s wait was over! In Jesus Christ, the promises of both covenants were now (at least partially) fulfilled. Indeed, as many a theologian and Bible scholar has noted, there is an already-not-yet tension in the biblical concept of the kingdom of God. It has come in the Person of Christ, but it has not come fully. There is healing, hope, and salvation in Christ, but there is also the reality of a fallen world yet to be fully redeemed. I would suggest that it is precisely this tension that lies at the center of our struggle to properly balance evangelism and compassionate ministry.

Thy KinGdom Came, (yeT) Thy KinGdom Come!

When we consider the two types of people, and two types of perspectives mentioned above, it is vital to remember that the Church needs people of both perspectives. First, we need those who will exhort us to what is clearly the primary function of the church—evangelism. Even those who would emphasize evangelism to the neglect of compassionate ministry have a role to play regarding our properly functioning as the body of Christ, because such individuals frequently warn us of the dangers of what one missiologist refers to as “theological drift.” Likewise, those whose hearts and inclinations are given more to compassionate ministries are equally important. They keep us from a false and unnecessary separation of body and soul regarding those to whom we minister. People are both physical and spiritual beings, and Jesus seems to never have forgotten that. As one theologian has noted, “seldom, if ever, should we have to choose between satisfying physical hunger and spiritual hunger, or between healing bodies and saving souls.”

It is unnecessary to conclude that since some fellowships (denominations) have been unable to successfully navigate these waters, that the waters themselves are un-navigable and, therefore, it is best that we remain on shore, while our Christian brothers and sisters drown in a sea of poverty and despair. We must never defer biblical truth in favor of our own safety. It would be completely incongruous for gospel ministers to engage in the teachings of Jesus while setting aside His concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the sick and the neglected. Returning to our discussion of Matthew’s Gospel, we begin to see how Matthew’s opening reference to the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants point to the present and coming Kingdom, and how this must shape our disciple-making efforts. We must remember that to preach the gospel and declare that the kingdom of God has come—and yet to offer no evidence, either practically or miraculously that there is a genuine present hope within that Kingdom is to fail at the task. If we are going to say that the Kingdom has come and expect people to believe us, then there must be some tangible expression of our declaration, either in signs and wonders pointing to the already aspect of God’s kingdom, or in compassionate acts of service, that flow necessarily out of the not yet. The unbiblical, Gnostic notion of dividing (either cognitively or practically) the body from the soul, as we do in many of our present debates, would seem very foreign to Jesus, because He came to redeem both. If Jesus cared about people’s physical and spiritual needs, it seems axiomatic that we should as well. When we, as the people of God, seek earnestly to embody the fullness of Christ’s teaching and ministry, I think we shall find that we can, that we must, be both evangelistic and compassionate. To be any less is to not fully be a disciple. If we are not fully following Christ, then it seems unlikely that we should succeed in getting others to do the same. The fact is, Christ the King has come and is coming again; and until He does, we must find a way to faithfully live and minister in the tension of this partial fulfillment. A healthy, biblical blend of both evangelism and compassionate ministry allows us to do just that. |_______________________________________________

1 George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom, 1959.2 Stan, Guthrie, Missions in the Third Millennium, 2002.3 Sunand Sumithra, “The Church’s Ministry and Mission in India,” in Evangelical Review of Theology 13 no. 2 (1989), 167–174._______________________________________________

“Again in social work, which is much to the fore to-day, there is a variety of talk as well as action, and much of this talk claims to be proclamation. But things will be very different when theological reflection stands behind it and when it does not.” - Karl Barth________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jerry Ireland is an Assemblies of God missionary to Zambia, Southern Africa, working in theological training, Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and youth discipleship.

PHOTO RIGHTS: ABOVE: AFRICA AG CARE BY PERMISSION

6  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  7

W hen working in the arena of compassion ministries, it is very easy to lose sight of

the reality that no one is too poor to be involved in their own health and development. The natural tendency of compassion workers, when constantly exposed to hurt and suffering, can be to sweep in and solve everyone’s problems, leaving the targeted community as passive observers, rather than active participants, in their own solutions. Especially when working with the extremely poor, it can be difficult to imagine them actually possessing any capacity to effectively do something to help themselves.

Frequently, the focus of a compassionate response falls upon the bigger, “heavier” interventions: building clinics, stocking medications, digging wells, or

providing finances for various needs. These “heavier” interventions seem to always require significant funding and personnel with an advanced set of professional skills.

These significant interventions are not wrong. There is, however, a critical need to incorporate additional levels of response from the very beginning. Community buy-in and involvement will require designing participatory responses on the level of the community. These will need to be within the reach of do-ability by the targeted individuals or groups. Pursuing this course of action as interventions are planned will serve to encourage participation, allow involvement in actual management issues, create sustainability and responsibility, while protecting self-worth and dignity. All recipients need to be participants. They need to know

that all is not hopeless, and that they do not have to continually live in dependency upon outside help. That is a powerful transformation!

A poignant example of this model is found in West Africa. It involved a small church in an extreme poverty-ridden city. It should be noted that working directly and long term among the poor reveals the reality that different strata and different levels of poverty exist. These strata can be based on levels of intensity, or upon the sheer numerical size of affected persons. At other times, strata can be identified by severity to the point of being life-threatening.

In this example, the particular church congregants, numbering approximately 200, definitely lived on a very severe level of poverty. Located in the poorest part of town, the church building was situated right next to a large city garbage dump in the area where most congregants lived. It is easy to imagine the socio-economic demographic of individuals and families living close to the city garbage dump. This was not a rich church with highly-educated members.

Despite their dire conditions, the church experienced a growing, missional desire to help persons impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Training sessions were pursued to prepare them to work with persons impacted by HIV/AIDS and how to do HIV/AIDS education. Strategy sessions were also held to help the congregation determine their capacity to help within the framework of their local realities and resources. Both efforts proved to be amazing experiences as the congregation found clarity on how to act upon their burden and vision.

The congregation decided to identify those who were HIV positive, and to begin home visits to encourage, pray, love, and educate individuals feeling rejected and marginalized by society.

This small local faith community launched their efforts by meeting with a married couple, members of their own congregation. The couple’s new baby was chronically ill and, sadly, died from AIDS shortly thereafter. It was during that sorrowful time when the couple discovered their own HIV positive condition. The wife’s case was more advanced than that of her husband. The HIV ministry team regularly visited the couple. They could not offer much in terms of money, or even healthcare assistance. They gave them love, acceptance, and spiritual encouragement.

As this lady’s condition worsened, the church members requested additional training for hospice care. In short order, they were able to use their newly acquired skills to be of additional assistance. They went to the home

and taught other family members how to care for someone terminally ill.

Within a few months, the wife passed away. According to custom in West Africa, her family came to oversee the funeral and burial. Knowing that their daughter had died of AIDS, the family was both ashamed and afraid of what the community would do when they came for the body. Such is the stigma of HIV/AIDS in some areas. In the meantime, the church HIV ministry team gathered around the grieving widower.

The fearful family members intentionally arrived in the middle of the night, wanting to avoid contact with others. They found the church team still present, comforting the husband. The team warmly received the wife’s family, prepared food for them, and prayed

for them. They then gave the family a small offering to help

with burial expenses. This small church on a garbage dump had given their best to help in a difficult situation. The

family was speechless. They arrived expecting ridicule and harassment. They left

encouraged, fed, financially assisted, and spiritually helped by the church’s prayers.

It changed the life of the deceased woman’s family. Coming from a non-Christian village, they returned home and shared a strong testimony with the entire village about how kind and well-treated they were by the congregation of the little church by the city dump.

This is a great example of what local churches can do, within their own means, to meet needs in their communities. This small congregation’s response was not big, expensive, or flashy. Other than the training which the HIV ministry team received, their intervention did not require outside assistance. The church on the garbage dump in this story was not intimidated by the magnitude of needs surrounding someone with AIDS. They knew their limits, but they also knew their strengths, and God used them to bring light and love into a very difficult and dark situation. They provide a model worth replicating, verifying how love in small quantities, can truly become much! |_____________________________________________

Suzanne Hurst is a registered nurse living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. She works with local churches on developing community health and HIV/AIDS ministries.PHOTO RIGHTS: LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

the joy and dignity of taking part in solutions to their own issues, and contributing to their own eventual transformation.

As a public health practitioner in Africa, one is likely to interact with numerous hopeless and destitute communities. Joy, pure joy, is seeing them come together and successfully attack a problem, thus bringing about positive change in their situation. Usually the process is long, with various setbacks. Often the change occurs in smaller steps rather than in the great leaps envisioned by those intervening. The change which ultimately happens is not in the physical situation alone. When community involvement and ownership are encouraged, there is a profound change in the self-perception and the self-esteem of those being reached. Suddenly, they may see

| A volunteer health workerprepares to give an African boy an

immunization injection.

8  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  9

Africa AG Care - AAGC is created under the auspices of Assemblies of God World Missions-Africa (USA). It exists as the U.S. equivalent to an Africa-based entity, AG CARE, under the aus-pices of the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance.

M aximizing the impact of compassion outreach to the people of Africa is the express reason-for-being and mission statement of AAGC, recently

created in response to specific needs.

Mike McClaflin, Regional Director for Africa for As-semblies of God World Missions (USA) has stated: “It has become increasingly apparent that the explosive interest in our American church, in all things related to ‘compassion,’ marches together with the inevitable reality of Africa’s unenviable position in the arena of human misery. Arguably, Africa leads the world with life issues related to disease, poverty, dislocation, hun-ger, and death.”

Mike's words express the coMpelling force behind the creation of aagc, designed to:• Maximize our numerous resources for an effective, ongoing response.

• Guide us safely in the center of our missiological and theological stances.

• Exploit our stated core values to the fullest possible extent.

The sheer scope of Africa’s dilemma of human need de-mands that we craft AAGC in a unique way to respond to these particular needs. AAGC is emerging as a tool of enablement, assistance, and collaboration. We firmly believe that it will become a much-sought-after re-source for those with a will and intent for involvement in a compassionate response to human need in Africa.

a broader description of aagc Mustinclude the terMs:A NETWORK – AAGC works to encourage networking among the various entities and organizations within the Assemblies of God-Africa community. This includes missionaries, nationals, and others working in partner-ship with us on the continent. Additionally, there are many international/global efforts we strive to network with as well. AAGC continually pursues networking opportunities which are mutually beneficial.

A CONSORTIUM – A consortium is defined as a group of individuals or entities formed to undertake an en-terprise or activity that would be beyond the capabili-ties of the individual members. More simply stated, as a consortium of like-minded entities and individuals, we believe we can do more together than we can do separately.

A FORUM – AAGC provides a round table of discussion, idea exchange and problem solving, as well as strategic and tactical planning. The free exchange of ideas is the norm. Consensus and commitment to the core values of AAGC are essential.

AAGC is a network, a consortium, and a forum for maxi-mizing relief and development – all types of compas-sion outreach to Africa.

the function of aagc will focus on severalkey eleMents:ADVOCACY - Advocacy is defined as a process to delib-erately speak out – verbally or otherwise, on issues of interest or concern with the goal of exerting a degree of positive influence to the benefit of persons or ideas. Effective advocacy is advanced through a clear under-standing of issues faced and clear solutions.

Advocacy for the poor and marginalized of Africa – In so many instances, the most severely impacted groups are denied a voice by circumstances ranging from cor-ruption and mismanagement to attitudes and preju-dices. Serving as a voice for the unheard, hurting, and marginalized is a vital service.

AAGC will also be an advocacy voice for the individual efforts of compassion aimed for Africa, doing every-thing we can to assist and facilitate individual projects and efforts.

STANDARD BEARER for theological/missiological/professional quality – As a faith-based effort, maintain-ing our theological and missiological stances is very important. Believing, also, that excellence is the stan-dard by which all efforts of the people of Christ should be measured, a professional quality is important to maintain.

COORDINATION – Responsibility for every aspect of our efforts, from identification and screening, to qual-ity assurance, will promote effective and lasting efforts

throughout Africa. A major issue involves the large number of volunteers – whether individuals or teams. Getting ev-eryone to the right place for effective, lasting ministry is a very important function, requiring everyone’s participation.

INFORMATION AND ExPERTISE – AAGC is gathering, cata-loguing and will make available the latest information to facilitate compassion ministry in Africa. AAGC houses the editorial offices for EMBRACE as a major component related to information-sharing.

In summary, AAGC is a facilitating effort designed to assist: (1) individuals and teams seeking ministry opportunities of a compassionate nature in Africa, (2) our national churches, (3) our missionary family, and (4) our stateside constituen-cy. Our mutual goal should be the best compassionate touch possible for the people of Africa – in the name of Christ. |

Office Address: Africa AG Care 580 W Central St, Springfield MO 65802Phone: (417) 851-5895 Fax: (417) 851-5899

information@africaagcare.org | don.tucker@africaagcare.orgembrace@africaagcare.org

1Faith Based: We believe that Jesus Christ is the model of true compassion and the source of abundant, eternal life for all

people (John 10:10). The Church has been given the responsibility on earth to reflect Christ’s kingdom by proclaiming biblical truth, touching the poor and needy, advocating justice, and announcing the kingdom of God to all people. Our motivation for all relief and development is the love of Christ which compels us to compas-sionately reach out and touch people in every aspect of their lives.

3People-Centered: We believe that the growth and well-being of people is the goal of every compassionate outreach. There-

fore, our primary efforts are intentionally focused on developing people rather than structures. Whether addressing needs of public health, education, or injustice, we commit to advocate for people and empower them to be involved in solutions.

5Best Practices: We are committed to striving for excellence in our humanitarian interventions practice. We recognize

that to be effective practitioners, we need to employ time-tested, evidence-based strategies and methods. These methods include intentionally seeking the participation of the community, doing thorough assessments, committing to the on-going monitoring of projects, and carrying out relevant evaluations. We are committed to “doing good, well”.

7Partnership: We believe that the needs, resources and solu-tions of Africa are represented by the vast network of national

churches we are committed to partnering with. Wherever possible, relief and development programs will be planned and executed in collaboration with our existing Assemblies of God partners.

2Preserving Dignity: We are committed to honoring and respecting all individuals with whom we work. We be-

lieve that each individual is created in the image of God and, therefore, has equal value and dignity. This belief underlies an intentional priority to listen to felt needs, learn from their cultural context, and avoid any form of exploitation.

4Holistic: We are committed to following Christ’s example of ministering to the totality of man: emotionally, physi-

cally, mentally, and spiritually. We believe that all relief and development should intentionally affect positive transforma-tion in all these areas of a person’s life. Every activity will be regarded as an opportunity to touch people in love, to speak relevant words of biblical truth pointing them to God, and to experience the supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit.

6Sustainability: We are committed to carrying out all programs and projects in such a way as to en-

sure resources for the continuity of benefits without creating dependency. Participation of stakeholders in all stages of a project is essential to ensure commu-nity ownership and responsibility. A clear process of capacity building and a future exit strategy should be written into all interventions from the beginning.

Find out more about aFrica aG care

10  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  11Spring 2011 EmbracE  1110  EmbracE Spring 2011

COMMUNITYCommunity is a collection of parties bound to-gether by common threads. Africa AG Care will pursue a vigorous effort to forge community from The Assemblies of God World Missions missionary team, the Africa family of national churches, the great pool of U.S. donors, volun-teers and participants for Africa, and other enti-ties with an interest in networking for the good of Africa.

CONVERSATIONA priority tactic for forging community is con-versation. In conversation, everyone has a voice, a right to participate. Great conversation by all will produce great strategy, great collabo-ration and great compassion ministry.

COORDINATEA primary means of maximizing our efforts is to avoid duplication of efforts. Coordinating the energy and efforts of missionaries, nationals,

affiliates and collaborators, as well as volunteer teams and individuals will help assure maxi-mum compassionate impact.

CONSULTA consult is a coming together for the exchange of opinions, ideas, and information. Africa AG Care provides an ongoing forum for this type of activity, maintaining compassion outreach at a fresh, current, and alive level for the benefit of both participants and recipients in Christ’s com-passionate touch.

QUALITYAssuring quality implies measuring the attri-butes and performance of a process, item, or service, against defined standards. We believe that the standard for faith-based compassionate outreach must be excellence. So, Africa AG Care is always pursuing a quest for excellence based upon our core values.

How can we better pursue our compassion ministry in Africa, more effec-tively, more efficiently? These five words and brief commentary explain the overall mission and vision of Africa AG Care in striving for that goal.

coMMunity | conversation | coordinate | consult | Quality

Phone: (417) 851-5895 Fax: (417) 851-5899 | information@africaagcare.org | don.tucker@africaagcare.org | embrace@africaagcare.org

one Mans JourneyIt took a rock star to speak to me about compassion. My

journey to cynicism began as a nine-year-old boy on the streets of Luxembourg, walking alongside my missionary fa-ther. Dad had a passion for street ministry. Our coffee house

and church plants gave us ample opportunity to meet people in dire need. Early on, I began to see the manipulation and decep-tion of some, using poverty, addictions, and dysfunctions to prey on people with big hearts. I remember those who would show up after church for the free handouts, but refused to come in to attend the services designed with them in mind. “James” – not his real name – told us a sob story about how his parents were dead and he was on the streets. We took him in and he lived with us for

several weeks before he disappeared. As it turned out, his whole family was alive and well. His “visit” with us was common prac-tice for him. Thus, my cynicism was birthed and nurtured.

By the time my wife and I began our first term in the Sudan, that cynicism was entrenched. Being surrounded by literally tens of thousands of street children, beggars, and desperate people, I insulated myself with platitudes and doubts. The Oliver Twist reality of those kids gave me an excuse to not give. The ingrati-tude of the prevailing local mindset further justified my growing indifference. And, the simple magnitude of the need gave me ev-ery reason to not feel, or care about compassion. My answer was that I would preach the gospel, share Jesus, and He could worry about where people got their food. What else could we do? These masses of needy people were not starfish to throw back in the sea. This was an overwhelming mass of humanity that would not go away. They would just wash ashore again tomorrow.

Charles Porter is a church planter among the emerging generation in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa.

My change of heart came from the most like-ly place, but through a most unlikely voice. A fellow missionary attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. He told me that Bono, the lead singer for the world’s greatest rock band, U2, delivered the speech. Curious, I listened online. In a humble way, this man took scripture after scripture from the Old and New Testament and showed God’s concern for the poor and neglected. A familiar voice began to infiltrate my soul, as the Master slowly melted my heart.

If I am honest, I am resistant to compassion because it is competition that has an unfair advantage. Starving kids and child prostitutes, when presented as a desperate need coupled with an opportunity to help, raise much more money, for example, than lost souls on uni-versity campuses or business people in urban

“It took a rock star to speak to me about compassion.”

ne Mans Journey

Charles Porter is a church

PHOTO RIGHTS: ABOVE: AFRICA AG CARE BY PERMISSION: POPULATION INFORMATION

PROVIDED BY WORLD FACT BOOK

| Safe and adequate water brings evident joy to these children. Lack of water is one of Africa’s significant

risk factors.

12  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  13

areas. Sure, there is always the tag line at the end, “we are doing this to reach people with the love of Jesus, in the random hope that they will get saved.” The cynic in me does not see this happening much.

The voice of the Master however, will not let me go. So, as I have medi-tated and prayed and thought, I have come to some radical conclusions. _________________________________________________

These are jusT mine; your journey is your own:

Some things should be done because they are right, not because they save souls.

Some things are the measure of our heart and our humility, more than any crowd-gather-ing gimmick I have tried.

“The Poor you will always have with you” is not a license to ignore the need, but rather a reminder of the constant op-portunity to engage.

_________________________________________________

I am on a journey, and I am pro-gressing. I am still not a softie; I still do not hand out money indiscrimi-nately to the street beggars. But, I recognize that God is slowly chang-ing my heart. Our church plant has compassion ministry as one of its core values. We have a community action group. Across the spectrum of our work, I am striving to empower and breathe life into this thing called “compassion ministry,” which I still do not always like and understand.

As I evaluate my journey, the magnet that keeps drawing me closer is the compassion of Christ for me, in my wretched situation. Because it is a painful truth, “but by the grace of God, that would be me.” |_________________________________________________

F AITH-BASED HUmAnITArIAn mInISTry finds high interest in the western Church. Opportunities to participate in transformational development efforts provide powerful op-

portunities for hearts to be impacted by the Holy Spirit’s tug for longer, sometimes lifetime, involvement in touching the poor and marginal-ized in the world. Chris and Brandi Exley have been instrumental in opening those doors of opportunity in Kenya, East Africa. Embrace has asked Chris to share his experiences and his convictions about teams and individual volunteers in compassion ministry.

EmbracE: chris, just how do you define “short-term missions?”chris: For the purpose of this interview, short-term missions is defined as 1) short visits of one to six weeks by those taking a “working vacation” or 2) longer visits of two months to a year, most frequently pursued by young volunteers or interns – sometimes older persons, even retirees.

EmbracE: What are some of the more critical issues, in your opinion, relative to volunteers and successful involvement in touch-ing the hurting of africa?chris: Any missionary receiving volunteers has to view the oppor-tunity in two ways: what volunteers can contribute to the work at hand, and how missionaries can invest in the lives of those volunteering. Such volunteer involvement will hopefully facilitate God’s direction for the individual’s future.

There is a great army of people ready to volunteer. Opportuni-ties need to be provided for involvement around the world. A welcom-ing and facilitating entry must be enthusiastically offered to the next generation of missionaries. They are ready for every aspect of mission outreach, including touching the hurting, the exploited, and the poor.

EmbracE: concerning the volunteer(s) you receive, what is your primary goal for them?chris: A short-term mission experience should not result in simply a “great experience.” rather, field experiene needs to become a defining moment in the volunteer’s journey toward knowing and loving God more. Everyone – anyone – participating in making such an experi-ence possible should consider it a wonderful privilege to participate in shaping the future of valuable individuals into their own long-term, missional lifestyle.

Enabling someone in volunteer service to experience a defining moment requires more than providing the standard orientation of dos and don’ts while on the field. Such orientation, cultural training, and informative reading are extremely important. But, adequate preparation for a successful mission experience does not stop there.

EmbracE: so, if it does not stop with what you have outlined, share what you would add.chris: A solid foundation for effective service on the field by volun-

teers is based on clearly understanding the concept of “be-ing” and “doing.” Far too often, those involved in short-term assignments focus on the “doing” aspect of their experience. It is understandable, in light of our need to justify the invest-ment of supporters, friends, and family in making the short-term experience possible. This emphasis on “doing” can be especially true in the work of feeding the hungry, treating the hurting, and providing water to the thirsty. It is still impor-tant that “who we are” speaks as loudly as “what we do,” as one serves as the compassionate hands of Jesus.

“Doing” implies the typical check-list-mentality, focused on “we built this,” “we painted that,” “I fixed this” and “I finished that.” Everything centers on what the volunteer actually does, actions pursued.

A higher pursuit involves realizing the importance of “being:” the “who-I-am in-Christ-Jesus-as-I-live-before-the-people-God-has-called-me-to-serve” approach to volunteer-ing. yes, there will be plenty to “do.” But “doing” should not be pursued at the expense of “being.”

“Being,” in the model of Jesus means just that: being with the people, listening to their stories, hearing their hearts, learning of their struggles and placing one’s self in their shoes. It involves sharing one’s own story – even the part about weaknesses, fears and shortcomings. It is about bridge-building between cultures, between hearts, between individuals.

EmbracE: human needs, in many areas of the world, are so immense, so pervasive as to have a strong impact on workers at times. Do you deal with this issue with your volunteers?chris: Adequate, positive orientation is a must. For those working in humanitarian outreach, a healthy understanding relative to the realities and impact of poverty will be helpful, though time and energy consuming. The volunteer must be enabled to process the everyday exposure to severe human need common in many areas of the world. This comes about once understanding is gained of the broader, transformational impact of our efforts on every area of life for those impacted by severe need.

EmbracE: in our fast-results, push-button culture of the West, how do you deal with issues of quality work – even excellence – to the poor and hurting?chris: By emphasizing such principles as best practice, sustainability, and capacity building. These important values must be incorporated in short-term efforts as much as with more long-term work.

It is also extremely important that volunteers reaching the end of their mission experience understand that they can make a difference. A strong effort should be made to pack into their departure baggage an understanding that doing compassion ministry right, striving for excellence and qual-ity, will ultimately have the most lasting and positive impact upon the beneficiaries of their work.

EmbracE: at the end of the volunteer experience, is it just a matter of getting on a plane and leaving, or do you

pursue specific activities and work toward specific goals for those transitioning back home after a volunteer stint on the field?chris: no matter the length of the mission experience, it is very important that each volunteer be debriefed relative to returning home and reintegrating into a local congregation. yes, there will likely be frustrations, reverse culture shock and re-entry stress. These can best be dealt with openly and clearly. Effective debriefing interaction throughout the mission experience will also provide an open door to help maximize the work of the Holy Spirit in the volunteer’s heart and life.

EmbracE: What would you say about the long-term impact of volunteer service?chris: The missionary’s interest in the volunteer indi-vidual or team must go far beyond the day their plane lifts off and their visit becomes past history. Prayer that God will call some, and continually motivate others, either to go, give, or pray, should be part of every missionary’s involvement with short-term volunteers. Of course, a prayer relationship is important before volunteers arrive, while they are on the field, and after their departure.

A volunteer’s experience will continue to change his/her attitude, outlook, and life values long after the trip is over. new perspectives will be gained, along with a great appre-ciation for what God is doing around the world. This will be accompanied by an exciting discovery of how one can “fit in” to God’s overall plan.

EmbracE: any final words on this important topic?chris: Again, the core principle of effective service in mission is a clear understanding of the distinction between “being” and “doing.” When the volunteer gains understand-ing of this concept, the need to slow down in the race to “do” becomes more apparent. The benefit will be time and opportunity to express who he or she truly “is.” A focus on “being” opens the door to understand people of all cultures: how they were created in the image of God, and how His offer of transformation through Christ will benefit their lives now and forever.

The whole purpose of short-term volunteers and teams in service around the world must include getting better at lov-ing others and loving God. That type of love needs to drive our mission. It must also become part of a lifelong journey of seeking to love people cross-culturally, whenever and wherever we encounter them, even in hometown USA! |_____________________________________________________

Chris Exley is a Missionary to Kenya working among the forgotten and unreached masses in that nation. They also host multiple, short-term teams each year. As well, the Exleys maintain an internship program offering service opportunities from one month’s duration to one year.

PHOTO RIGHTS: RIGHT: ISTOCKPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

14  EmbracE Spring 2011 Spring 2011 EmbracE  15

at the impulse of his love

I captured a few moments of a random radio pro-gram a few days ago while driving across town. The individual being interviewed was speaking about the compassion work she was pursuing

somewhere in the world. In the interview she used an analogy of fishing, stating that she had never been fish-ing without bait. “One always needs bait to fish,” she said. She further stated that everything her organization was pursuing in feeding the hungry and meeting human need, was nothing but bait – just bait to capture people for Christianity. The interviewing host responded with something to the effect “I love it! I love it!”

I can’t say that I, personally, love it. I question it. I’m even a bit disturbed by it. In saying so, I know that I might create questions in the minds of some. So, let me quickly explain.

I am an ordained minister – a preacher. That is the passion of my heart and the calling upon my life, pro-claiming the glad news of Jesus to a world in desperate need of that news. I am a verbal communicator of the Gospel. I want very much to bring individuals to a per-sonal commitment to Christ.

I have come to a personal understanding that God calls us to be messengers of His compassion and love in tangi-ble ways too, in word and in deed. He does not intend for us to use His compassion to coerce people to follow Him. He did not heal or bless individuals during His earthly ministry to coerce adherence to His creed. He healed and blessed as a generous expression of His compassion for them. We are called to do the same, in His name.

It is my view that the atoning work of the Cross was holistic. It included spiritual redemption from our sins and all of sin’s impact: redemption from the curse of both physical and spiritual death. It will ultimately result in resurrected and transformed bodies, according to God’s

Word. Additionally, He heals and helps us physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. I intend, therefore, to be involved in the whole spectrum of ministry to hurting and needy mankind. That includes spiritual, physical, emotional, and social needs. Who I am, my relationship with Christ, and my understanding of the Word, all com-bine to motivate me by Christ’s compassion to freely and aggressively respond in this way.

Frances Havergal penned words about consecration more than 100 years ago. Four lines seem extra power-ful to me today:

Take my life and let it be. Consecrated Lord to thee. Take my hands and let them move. At the impulse of thy love.

What drives us to feed the hungry, drill for water for the thirsty, assist those with HIV/AIDS, protect children from the horrors of trafficking, and a multitude of other interventions? It is a question which is easy to answer. We are compelled to action by the impulse of His love. It is that simple.

I am more committed than ever to embrace Jesus, em-brace His control of my life, embrace His transformation-al intentions toward all mankind, and embrace His love, especially for my beloved Africa. |

“I am more committed than ever to embrace Jesus, embrace His control of my life, embrace His transformational intentions toward all mankind, and embrace His love, especially for my beloved Africa.”

Don Tucker: EditorDon Tucker is a career Assemblies of God missionary to Africa, one of five area directors for the continent, director of Africa AG Care, and editor of Embrace.PHOTO RIGHTS: ABOVE: AFRICA AG CARE BY PERMITION

16  EmbracE Spring 201116  EmbracE Spring 2011