I love Foursquare Missions Press (FMP)- More than anything I love that their goal is to spread the gospel. In a world filled with “causes” we can easily lose sight of Jesus words in Mark 15:16 “To go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Causes come and go, awareness is great, but if our minds and hearts are not set on kingdom work, reaching the lost, our efforts are meaningless. Eternity must always be our goal.
FMP helps us so much by sending tracks, teaching materials and the Children’s Gospel boxes in the national language to PNG (not to mention all over the world). One main tool for evangelism we use and send with other pastors all over the country is the Children’s Gospel Boxes. The Gospel Boxes and bracelets have gone all over PNG, to villages and churches with our bible college student here and in Mandag. We’ve loved putting this amazing resource into the hands of Foursquare pastors and leaders in Bougainville, Solomon Islands and other villages around PNG.
Here in the Central Province 4square is so new, and we are seeing people learn about the Holy Spirit and experiencing God’s love and freedom. Paul and I and our boys were invited to minister to a great village, in the central province called Kwikila (quick- keel-ah). The Foursquare church is about a year old, but they are reaching the lost, and making disciples.
What does a village church look like?? Nothing more than a roof with several posts holding it up and handmade wooden benches. I love that most village church don’t have walls, the people build them so that the warm tropical breeze blows straight through. The sweet smells of the tropics flood your senses while villager’s voices are lifted in praise. Usually the worship team is a young boy playing guitar with voices lifted in praise. The simple sweet worship is always my favorite part.
I love going out to remote villages in Papua New Guinea. Sharing the gospel and encouraging small growing churches. I’m grateful that I’ve learnt the Tok-pisin language (I’m continually learning) and can easily share the Gospel to villages that don’t often hear English. In PNG every village has its own language or “tok peles,” but everyone speaks Tok Pisin.
The Wordless Gospel book
I gathered all the children and shared the Gospel, using FMP’s fabulous little flannel books. Each child’s eyes wide with wonder as they look at the bright colors and hear of Christ love. One little boy in the front, was so excited, whenever I asked a question, he popped his hand up and would say, “JESUS!!” I started calling him my little pastor. These little book and bracelets are so impacting, and make it so easy to share the incredible story of Christ love and His transforming power over our lives. As I shared, many mothers and teens began to gather around, listening, smiling.
The part I love to emphasize is the contrast between the RED and WHITE- His blood for our sins- He makes us CLEAN. Here in PNG the word “shame” is very well understood. It’s similar to guilt, but people feel that deep ache of separation for their sin.
As the heads bowed praying, I gave the simplest invitation of Christ. Sometimes I feel like I can hear heaven rejoicing when I see the little hands going up to receive Jesus. Even as I sit and write, I continually pray over each hand raised up to heaven seeking to know their Father. We get to plant a seed that we pray will land on fertile soil, and grow into a tree of righteousness in that village.
Praying with kids to receive Jesus! Handing out the gospel bracelets.
Every precious face eagerly took the bracelet. Touching each bead we all repeated the meaning of colors and the great message of the gospel. I always encourage children to tell the meanings to their parents and families, or anyone who asks. Tell everyone that Jesus washed you and made you clean.
FMP puts in so much time, effort, and finances to help Foursquare worldwide. Volunteers give their evenings or afternoons to make bracelets that will be placed on the hand of children all over the world. Bracelets that simply share the unconditional love of Christ in every language. Thank you FMP for your support and your continual efforts to reach the lost with the gospel of Christ. Thank you for planting seeds that we pray will reap a harvest for His Kingdom.
The picture below I had to post. This little girl was smiling all day, but I think the camera scared her. I loved this photo because she is wearing a 4square meri-blouse and the gospel bracelet. She had the biggest smile after she prayed for Jesus to come into her life. The bottom picture is me teaching the kids tic tac toe (from FMP)
