The Forgotten Field

The history of missions has been intimately tied to discovery. As new worlds unfolded over the years with each journey of a merchant ship or caravan, we learned more and more of what Christ had in mind when he said "uttermost parts of the earth." Advancements in communication and transportation have accelerated rapidly in the last fity years, bringing us closer to the geographic edge of the Great Commission.

Despite the discoveries and technologies and the concomitant spread of the gospel, could there still be a large, as of yet undiscovered country? Is there a people group of significant number that have not yet been targeted for inclusion in the Kingdom of Christ?

I believe there is and many will be surprised to learn its scope. Its population exceeds 540 million people. Every ethnic group is represented in this country. Every known language is spoken in this society. And sadly, it is a nation of people in daily crisis:

Poverty and unemployment rates are staggering. The divorce rate exceeds eighty percent. Suicide and euthanasia are common practices, both for adults and infants. Illiteracy is common. Drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent for those who can afford it. Many are victims of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. Homelessness is a pervasive problem.

Even more disturbing than these societal problems, the mission field in question has often been the least evangelized and the least integrated into the local church. In our race to fulfill the Great Commission, this people group has often been forgotten. Sadder still, this people group is not inaccessible. They are within easy reach of every Christian.

They are known as people with disabilities.

To read the rest of this article, written by Steve Jensen, click here: http://www.gospelcom.net/lcwe/wemag/9603forgot.html