July 01, 1986 by

There is a Battle Out There!

Editor,

(Enclosed) is a letter I received regarding my former classmate in the Faith School of World Mission (Tacoma, WA). Two days after I received it, the Mission Frontiers magazine (April 1986) arrived in the mail and I read your article, "Spiritual Warfare."

Truly, we are in a battle! I have begun to pray more for missionaries I know.

Mr. and Mrs. Doug O' Shell Hesperia, CA

Dear Mr. and Mrs. O'Shelt:

0 Thursday May 22nd, at approximately 10 am. in East Beirut, Lebanon, Missionaries David and Diane Williams ... were involved in an automobile accident They were hit in their Volkswagen from behind by a speeding truck, which forced them into a tree.

Diane... went to be with the Lord on the way to the hospital. David's injuries are not serious, but he will remain in the hospital under observation ice several days ....

Diane meant a great deal to all of us. Her bright smile and caring spirit were always an encouragement. In an age of young people who seem to only be interested in themselves, her willingness to sacrifice the comforts of home and family to meet the needs of others halfway around the world will be an example to us all for many years.

We shall all miss her greatly, but we know that her joy is now complete. Please pray with us for (those who survive Debbie).

Yours because of His Faithfulness, Edmond L. Soliday

A further comment was written in the margin of the letter by the OShells:

"Please note pg. 15 of your article, second column, second paragraph, 'They were beginning to see significant fruit.

Evangelical Snobbery?

Editor:

I just finished reading the latest bulletin of the U.S. Center. I enjoy reading this bulletin each time it carries. I pray the goals of the Center will be on time.

I must admit, however, that from time to time I sense an exclusivistic aidaide on the parts of a few people that contribute articles and information to your bulletin. In my opinion, there are too many "evangelicals" that see themselves (evangelicals) as the only real Christians. This was blatantly evident on the pan of the German doctor who went to a Kerygma concert (ME. June 1986, pg. 9): "How many true Christians are there in Latin Anietica? In Germany we haven't reached even 1 percent evangelical."

That kind of attitude really cools my enthusiasm for evangelical endeavors because I feet that churches and mission societies that are called "conciliaf' by the evangelicals are viewed with suspicion. I would guess that only a few "conciliar" support the role of the U.S. Center. They, like myself, sometimes feel alienated, as if being a Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, or Orthodox means you can't be a person who loves Jesus Christ, is committed to global mission, and cams about the salvation of lie world.

Larry G. Leaning Peace Lutheran Church PeUa, Iowa

We share your concern over alienation. And, while it is true that some evangelicals equate "concilliar" with "non-evangelical.' we believe God has His peopletrue Christians at least sprinkled in virtually every "Christian" denomination around the world.

To be evangelical does not mean one is (or is not) a member of a particular denomination or group. It means one believes the evangel the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. An evangelical believes this gospel must be preached in all the world, and that one must receive that news and take hold of its implications in his or her own life if he or she is to be saved.

The fact of the matter is that here at the Center we have many Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, United Methodists, and members of other "concilliar" churches all working together in harmony and zeal. Rather than pushing us apart front one another, we have found that our common bond as evangelicals actually brings us together.

John Holzmann, Editor.

I would like to refer to the OctoberDecember 1985 edition of Mission Frontiers,

I was reading the article on "YWAM and Hidden Peoples" and noticed a gross error on page 14. It was stated that "there are 8.5 million Muslims in Kuantan, Malaysia among whom there are no more than possibly 700 Christians and absolutely no churches in their midst"

I would like to bring to your attention that Kuantan is the capital to the state of Pahang which is one of the 13 states in Malaysia. The population of Pahang is only about 800,000 in all, and I can also confirm to you there are definitely churches in their midst.

Peter Ong. Missions Director Calvary Church Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We did not check the statistics Mr. Moala gave us, so we thank you for your irforrnation. We still wonder, though: are the churches "in the midst' of the Muslims in Kuanian made up of converted Muslims? Or are their members from other people groups? Physical proximity is only a small part of the problem.