January 01, 1992 by Larry Boggan

Helping to Finish the Task

Helping to Finish the Task!

Over the last decade we've watched with amazement as the Adopt-A-People concept has unfolded. Over 60 different mission agencies and denominations from North America have recognized the tremendous potential in the concept and have linked together as "participating agencies." (These mission agencies function as the "adoption agency" for churches that want to adopt.)

But it's not just a North American movement. There is increasing interest among believers world wide, with many Adopt-A-People programs already set up and well underway. Christian leaders from various countries÷and even entire continents÷have stepped forward and laid claim to a portion of the remaining groups (Latin American leaders initiated this in 1989 by taking responsibility for 3,000 of the remaining unreached peoples.).

Thousands of local churches have been blessed and challenged by the opportunity to be so vitally involved in reaching one of the remaining unreached peoples.

Finally, getting down to where it really counts, we are constantly hearing of peoples that were adopted and have now joined the "reached" category! This is the final blow! The nations are coming to Christ and Satan is losing his grip!

Now again we find ourselves watching...and helping where we can, as God unfolds yet another component of the Adopt-A-People Campaign. A "grass roots" movement is developing which is blasting an awareness of the unreached peoples÷and the need for adoption÷into churches worldwide. We call this movement the Vision Network and, specifically focused on adoption, the Adopt-A-People Advocates Campaign. These movements are both a help to the participating agencies, and an absolute must for those churches who have no link to a denomination or mission agency.

What is the Vision Network?

If you've been reading Mission Frontiers these last few issues, you've heard plenty about the Vision Network. With Arlien Spring leading the charge, over a hundred people have enthusiastically responded to the call to become a Vision Networker.

Simply put, a Networker takes responsibility for contacting other mission interested people in their local area. These begin to meet together in "Companies of 70"÷give or take a few÷to praise, pray. give and mobilize others to join in the final thrust to reach all peoples by the year 2000.

Both for use with the existing Company, and also for the purpose of mobilization, each Networker is equipped with a well rounded kit of mission resources which enables them to share the vision of the unreached peoples. Networkers also seek to educate and equip churches and individuals to fulfill their God given role incompleting the Great Commission.

Obviously, one of the key arrows in a Networker's quiver is that of being an Adopt-A-People Advocate, since Adopt-A-People achieves much of what a Networker is trying to accomplish. The two just go together!

What is an Advocate?

In I John 2:1-2 we see the role of my favorite Advocate (yours too. I'm sure.). Jesus, as our Advocate, "speaks to the Father in our defense" if we sin. Verse 2 says," He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (NIV Bible, emphasis added.)

So what is an Adopt-A-People Advocate? Not someone who speaks to the Father in defense of the unreached peoples. No, Jesus Himself told us to "...make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). And He has assured us that at least some "...from every, nation, tribe, people and language" will be gathered before His throne (Revelation 7:9). So we don't need to plead the case of the unreached peoples before the Father. Rather, an Advocate speaks to the Church, pleading the case of the unreached peoples and encouraging them to adopt! Each Advocate is also equipped with a kit, which enables them to easily and clearly communicate what adoption is.

Originally, it was hoped that each Advocate could arrange for two adoptions. But we're now finding that our faith may not have been great enough! Don Hoke, who recently signed on as an Advocate, detailed his plans for Las Vegas as such: "/ have contact with about 35 or 40 churches. Once I get my Advocates Kit, I plan to speak lo all of the Assemblies of God. referring them back to 'AG' headquarters. Then I'll visit all the Baptist General Conference and the Southern Baptist churches and do the same, right down the list!"

We certainly encourage other Networkers and Advocates to take on this type of aggressive strategy. But we also realize that everyone isn't a Don Hoke. Don't be intimidated into doing nothing! Begin with your home church and see what else God does through you. Even if your home church is the only adoption you succeed in, that is extremely significant. It will literally mean the difference between life and death to the group that is adopted!

God is powerfully at work in our world today! The Vision Network and Adopt-A-People Campaign are just two signs of the incredible growing momentum toward completion of the Great Commission! What would the Lord of the Harvest ask of you? Will you do it? I pray that you will; precious lives depend on it!

Help finish the task! Join the Vision Network by writing: Arlien Spring÷Coordinator
Mission Frontiers Vision Network
P.O. Box 340 ð Winchester, CA 92596
Or, call: 714/926-3618

To become an Advocate, or for more information about how your church can adopt, please write:

Adopt-A-People Campaign Office
1605 Elizabeth St. ð Pasadena, CA 91104
Or call: 818/398-2200