September 01, 2002 by

Are God and Allah the Same?

Since I too wrote a letter which disagreed with David Johnston’s article, I now want to write this note of com­mendation.  The response by David in the May-June issue which stated his overstatement of his case (and that he was sorry) warmed my heart.  Most dig in their heels for a fight in the face of critical letters; David did not.

Thank you that we could learn from the open review of the question discussed by the original article, and that we can learn from the humble and growing example of one another.  Thank you, brother Johnston!

Monty W. Casebolt
Livingston, MT

Why No Comments from Denominational Agencies on “World Christian Global Action Plan” (July-August)?

… Why were only para-church agency persons used to critique the WCGAP, not any of the major de­nominational missions such as the Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, and Christian and Missionary Alliance?  The implication is (it seems) a strong bias against such as important in major mission strategy.

Years ago I was director of missions, before retirement, of a small evangelical denomination and a former mission­ary in Latin America.  I observed many sound perspectives from these denomi­national groups and others relative to strategizing and planning before and since the USCWM existed.  Yes, I have great appreciation for the USCWM and for many of the para-church agencies.
Thanks for the articles in the current MF regarding the WCGAP and others.

Andrew M. Rupp
Ft. Wayne, IN

The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back

Mission Frontiers has been of im­measurable assistance in my mobili­zation ministry and personally very informative and inspiring, too. I have followed closely every fresh issue of the last six years and also reviewed many back issues. The recent issue with the cover title “Putting Church on the Back of A Camel” was the last straw that broke this camel back of mine! … I would therefore love to receive four copies of each of your future issues to enrich the library of our missions re­source center. The Center serves to give missions vision particularly to students and is located in a seminary in Kwara State of Nigeria ….

Peter A.
Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Only a Few African-Americans Attending Perspectives?

I get your magazine Mission Frontiers regularly and each issue blesses me!!

I’m African-American male (of those involved in missions, you tend to see a larger number of African-Ameri­can women involved) and have a great desire to see more of a presence of African-American Christians, churches and ministries take on their global responsibility...

This email was inspired by the picture I saw on page 17 of your recent [July-August] issue of MF [portraying a Perspectives class] where I saw not one single African-American. If I were to take a wild guess, I would say that that is the general picture of what takes place in the Perspectives classes around the country. I am sure there are a few that attend, but in the ma­jority of the cases you don’t find too many. That breaks my heart. …

[M]y purpose in sending this email was to let you know that there are African-American Christians out there desperately wanting a greater involvement for other African Amer­ican Christians and churches. Keep up the awesome work in Christ!!

Elder Quintin Smith

Response from Consulting Editor Darrell Dorr:

Thanks so much for your letter.  Perspectives director Steve Halley confirmed to me that relatively few African-Americans now participate in Perspectives classes.  But take heart, for things may be starting to change!  One indication of such change is a new book advertised on page 20: may you find African-American Experience in World Mission to be a powerful arrow in your quiver.