Office of the President
Why North?
As one moves northward on the African continent as a whole, the number of Christian
churches and followers of Christ decreases. In a similar way, when moving from south
to north in the nations of Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Vietnam, and India, and on the Korean
peninsula, among others, the same pattern holds true. Many followers of Christ live in
the south of each of these countries, but comparatively few live in the north. Why is this?
Several possible ideas related to “north” as it is used in the Bible have been put
forward. They are debatable at best. What we do know is this: Jesus Christ will gather
a people for himself from the north, south, east, and west ... “from the ends of the
earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:27). He died and was raised again for everyone
who repents and calls upon his name, including northerners!
Northern Asia is filled with huge challenges when it comes to the spread of the
Gospel. Communism and other forces have thwarted the growth of the church in
many places in this part of the world over many decades. Today, an estimated 50,000
Christians are in prisons and labor camps in North Korea. The governments of several
other countries in the north of Asia have placed restrictions on churches there, even
closing some of them.
At One Mission Society, we know God is aware of all of this. He loves
the people in northern Asia and so do we. Our fervent desire is that
many northerners will be a part of the billion plus effort for whom
we cry out to God every day to have the opportunitiy to hear,
understand, and respond to the Good News of Jesus. In this
issue of OMS Outreach, you’ll be inspired as you read about
our ministries focused in northern Asia!
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Bob Fetherlin