ICC Note:
The Pakistan Christian Post reports on the state of the church and the need for Christian evangelism in Pakistan.
By Shahzad Kamran
5/28/2012 Pakistan (Pakistan Christian Post) – “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mathew 9:37-38) Jesus said this to his disciples, to make them aware of the need of Evangelism. It was not only for those twelve but for all who are known by His name. As a Christian it is our responsibility to spread His Words and share the gospel with those who are unaware of God’s Good News of grace. “And he said to them, “Go into the entire world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:17). But many of us behave like cowards and think that they have no strength to follow His purpose, they make many accuses to find the way to escape from this responsibility, but we find a beautiful promise from our Lord that “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”(Acts 1:8). On the other hand, it is a great thing for believers to share Gospel and to save the souls of lost sheep “He who wins souls is wise”. (Proverbs 11:3)
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Evangelism in Pakistan:
In Pakistan, urban Christian communities seem to be very alive in their spiritual lives; many churches are available in their localities, they go to the churches and get the knowledge of God’s Word, although some are still far from Christ. But in rural areas we find that there are many souls who want to turn to Christ but they find no help.The Brick kiln areas are one such places; here laborers at Brick kiln are living very far from spiritual prosperity. They have no knowledge about the kingdom of God. They are living hopeless life, as they are under the burden of loans and bearing the slavery of their owners. It is very essential to tell them about the eternal life given by God.
Role of pastors:
Firstly, pastors are laboring in their own churches; they make no time to think about other believers who are in need and waiting for the servants of God, to teach them to know God. Mostly pastors thinks that their duty is just to present the Word of God in front of believers in their churches and they do not go to those souls who have thirst of Living water outside the safety of their church doors. They think they are happy in their comfortable and seeming prosperous lives and do not want to come out from it. In this situation how can they think about those people who cannot offer them a better salary because they belong to very low-class of society; this practice brings out bad consequences.
People live in and die in darkness, their lives have no use for their end (Hebrews 13:7 follow or imitate the faith of those who consider the way of escape considering the end of their lives) yet no one is reaching into the darkness to offer their own light. Instead so many waste their lives, having faith on shrines and magic and other superstitious things. They think that they are on the right track but actually they do not find the person who can guide them in right direction of Christ (Acts 8:26-40), because that person is not out there seeking them out. They do not have knowledge that Jesus is the way, the truth and light (John 14:6). Some, who know that they are in darkness and need the light of God; they do not find any pastor who can guide them. In brick-kiln areas there is no church, where they can worship and learn about the creator of universe.
Response of Established Churches:
Many well famed and established churches are working all over the world, they are doing much for the believers of their missions, many branches are also in the state of Pakistan but they do not build a single chapel in obscure and unattractive areas like the brick kilns, where laborers can be in touch with missionaries and can receive the blessings of fellowship, prayer and teaching. Chains of these churches and their services are just in main areas of country, there is no approach to those, who are in need to be aware of the kingdom of God.
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