Liberia Trip Report

It was unusual to have made two overseas trips to the same location within the same year. But Liberia is a very unique country with severe problems and overwhelming needs. One would not expect a country that has the distinction of being Black Africa’s first independent state, founded as a Christian state, and with historic ties to the U.S., to be in such dire straits economically, spiritually,and socially.

My first trip to Liberia in May of 2011 was a look-and-see trip. Quickly I learned why Samaritan’s Purse, the organization that I was privileged to work with, was so needed there and how they had become an effective agent of social and spiritual renewal.

Shortly after the Liberian civil war, which ended in 2003, SP began operations in Liberia providing emergency relief to a country that had been ravaged by years of civil war. But soon they discovered that this was not enough and the organization began providing more long-term development projects. The SP field staff increased from less than ten to over three hundred in a few years. Their ability to demonstrate and share the gospel in relevant ways has gained them the respect of the Liberian people and support from local and national civil authorities.

But this success has come at a price. Routinely these missionaries face field hardships and extreme stresses related to the impoverished conditions and the spiritual oppression that is commonplace within the rural and isolated communities where they primarily serve. In 2011, some tragic occurrences at one of their bases in the North, the Foya base, indicated that the hardships and stresses of missionary service in Liberia had reached an insufferable level. The Country Director for SP rightly assessed the need for intervention and scheduled two different missionary retreats for SP missionaries and staff.

It was to these retreats that I was asked to come and minister to battle-weary missionaries. There was no question in our minds that I was to go and serve, in whatever capacity the Lord was to orchestrate and direct. This is what EHCI is all about…serving those who are on the front-lines of ministry where the obstacles and challenges to the advancement of the gospel are the greatest.

I was able to minister continuously to missionaries and staff at these retreats in one-on-one sessions and small gatherings. The SP missionaries were encouraged to meet with me in private to discuss personal needs and challenges. Because of confidentiality, the specifics about these discussions will not be divulged. However, each session that I was involved in was directly related to missionary care support.

Additionally, I served as the evening speaker at both retreats, which provided opportunity to extend more encouragement and support to the SP missionaries and staff members.

The missionaries who serve with SP LIBERIA , both North American and Liberian, are dedicated people, willing to serve in very difficult and challenging settings throughout the country. Much of the work served by SP missionaries is located in rural isolated areas of the country, where economic, health and spiritual conditions are extremely deficient. Routinely these missionaries face unbelievable field hardships and extreme stresses that are physical and spiritual in nature.

For this reason, we made two trips to Liberia, to serve and support missionaries who have responded to the call of God to stand in the gap on behalf of a nation in crisis. Your prayers made it possible for EHCI to serve effectively. The missionaries expressed deep gratitude and appreciation for our coming; yes “our” coming because your prayers and support were there to undergird the ministry that went forth. One day you will have the opportunity to meet these soldiers for Christ that your prayers ministered to, encouraged, and strengthened.

Needless to say, we are going back in 2012. This time EHCI is planning to take a team of pastors who will have their own look-and-see experience. Hopefully, the Lord will move upon the hearts of these leaders and will commit them to become partners with SP in the social and spiritual reconstruction of Liberia. EHCI will provide appropriate pre-field training, preparation, and orientation. Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 15:16 speak to EHCI’s commitment to the work in Liberia, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” (NLT)

Thank you for your prayers and support. Please don’t stop—you are part of the team that has been called to stand in the gap on behalf of the country of Liberia.

In His Service,

Gary E. Ham

The Signs of the Times

The recent earthquake in the country of Chile is another catastrophic event in a string of devastating occurrences which are on the increase throughout the world. The news story from MSNBC.com which was titled, “Big quake question: Is nature out of control?”, suggests that the unusual and extraordinary nature of these events are not going unnoticed, even by the press which tends to avoid any subject that is beyond its comprehension. People are looking for answers.

The MSN editorial reminded me of a sermon that I recently heard. The message was taken from the book of Hebrews, chapter twelve, verse 26 and 27. This prophetic passage announces that a time is coming when God is going to shake the nations and all of creation in a final act of judgment. The preacher was calling people to take inventory of their lives in light of the shaking and the travail that was coming upon the world. The shakings would remove everything that is not of God, and what cannot be shaken will be revealed as that which is of God.

In answer to the MSNBC question, the real issue is that mankind, not nature, is out of control, choosing to live life apart from God. Righteous living and faith in God are in great decline. The prevailing thought in modern societies is that we are incapable of truly knowing the difference between good and evil. Everyone must do what is right in his or her own eyes.

Consequently, God, in His infinite love and mercy, is doing what He knows to do which will get our attention. When life gets bad enough, many people will inevitably become more spiritually attuned and seek out God for answers. With the world being ravished by natural disasters, wars and violence, and the shaking of economic, political, and social systems, people can no longer find within themselves hope and consolation. We must hope in God and Him alone!

The supreme mission of Christians in these perilous times is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ; boldly, and without condemnation, declare that faith in Jesus is the only way out of hopelessness and despair, His words are the only reliable source of truth, and that His life is the sustenance for our very existence. The prophet of Isaiah speaks an interesting word over Israel with respect to how all followers of God should respond when times get tough. He says,

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you (Isaiah 60:1, 2).”

It’s not Skin, It’s Sin

Recently, Americans were reminded of how divided we are becoming, particularly along racial and ethnic lines. The unfortunate event that occurred this past summer in Boston involving Professor Henry Gates and Police Officer James Crowley was a jarring reality check that uncovered the fragility of the state of race relations in America. Since that incident, I have heard more people, black and white, express sincere concerns and fears that race relations in America is becoming worse and not better in spite of an African-American being elected as the President of the United States.

Although many of us breathed a deep sigh of relief when the crisis had been smoothed over, it was, nevertheless, a call to action that will require more than a sit-down meeting on the lawn of the White House over a couple of beers. The sacrificial efforts in the 60’s and 70’s to confront and dismantle the despairing racial heritage of America achieved monumental successes through civil rights legislation, but they could not break strongholds of racialized thinking in the hearts and minds of people. Thus, the Boston incident is a loud, clanging sound reminding us that our past is still unresolved.

This is my contention. Our inability as a nation to resolve our racial conflicts is primarily due to the fact that we have not properly diagnosed the root of the problem. The problem is not skin, it is sin. Prejudice of any kind is more than a social, political, or psychological problem; it’s not even a color problem—black, white, brown, red, or whatever color that characterizes a particular group of people. It is first and foremost a sin problem.

This is a sin problem that has no boundaries. The vast majority of people in America and other nations are infected with a human propensity to judge people on the basis of their race or ethnicity. Furthermore, people find it difficult to forgive and to forget offenses when race or ethnicity is involved. In summary, racial problems are significant expressions of mankind’s sinful nature and it will require more than well-intended dialogue and a hand-shake to deliver our nation from this unrelenting issue; the only cure for sin is in the blood that was shed at Calvary.

If a storm of racial conflict is brewing over the nation, as many Americans believe, the Church must not bury its head in the sand of despair and wait for other sectors of society to offer solutions. Unquestionably, Christians should be the first responders to spiritual problems and needs of society. Have we not been called to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), not with “feel-good” diplomacy but with Spirit-filled diplomacy and the unconditional love of God within our hearts? Have we not been equipped with the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), which is capable of breaking down every barrier and wall of hostility? Are we not commissioned to serve as ambassadors of reconciliation, not by human appointment but by the Prince of Peace (2 Corinthians 5:20)?

One of the great prayers of the Bible is recorded in John 17 when Jesus prayed passionately for unity among believers; the Lord knew that we could not be able ministers of reconciliation in the world if we were not practitioners of reconciliation within the Church. I believe that the answer to Jesus’ prayer will be manifested in the end times, and it will be an important sign of the Holy Spirit’s work of perfecting the Body of Christ before Christ’s second coming. A generation is being raised up that will heed the prayer of our great Redeemer, “Father, make them one...”, and they will stand together and champion Jesus’ vision and heart for unity wherever the hurtful effects of racial and ethnic discord exist.

Gary Ham's Comment in Charisma Mazazine

I wrote a brief commentary about the election of President Obama which, gratefully, was published in Charisma Magazine in their April 2009 edition. However, parts of what I wrote were left out. The following is the original unabridged version of my commentary which gives more meaning and value to what I was trying to say.

A Spiritual Perspective on the Presidential Election:

Putting politics aside, let’s look at the presidential election results from a spiritual perspective. With all of the prayer and fasting that occurred prior to the election by sincere and passionate men and women of faith, did the outcome of the election have any spiritual value or meaning? Well, I think it does and it will help all of us praying people to know that our sovereign God heard and answered our prayers, regardless of who we voted for.

There is a passage from the Old Testament that records a very important moment in the history of the Jewish people. This event occurred after Israel had been delivered from Egypt, and after the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, and soon after the crossing of the Jordan River.

Joshua 5:9--Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.

At Gilgal, God removed the shame of slavery that had marked Israel for over 400 years. This was a very important and meaningful pronouncement for a people who had only known slavery and second-class citizenship for centuries. In order for Israel to rise up as a nation and claim its inheritance in the Promised Land, God had to remove the reproach of slavery. A change had to occur in how Israel viewed themselves and how other nations viewed them; a new national identity had to be forged.

There are historical parallels of this event in Bible history that relate to where America is today.

Unfortunately, America and slavery have a shared history, developing together over a long period of time. Early in our country’s history, slavery, with all of its regulations and beliefs, was woven into the fabric of our society, seriously corrupting the image and mindset of a nation that was founded upon tremendous principles of liberty and freedom. The legacy of slavery has kept America divided and not fully capable of embracing its noble creed of being one nation under God, indivisible and providing justice for all. Even though slavery was abolished in 1865, the historical record of race relations in our society clearly shows that a significant breakthrough in this area was long overdue. The breakthrough came on November 4, 2008.

When an African-American was duly elected as the forty-fourth President of the United States, it shattered what had been an impenetrable glass ceiling of opportunity for minorities and women. By this election, America has crossed a ‘Jordan’, a new day has dawned, effects of a shameful past have been rolled away, and all people of America, no matter what color or ethnicity, can now feel that they are joint-heirs of the American dream and destiny.

Spiritually speaking, our nation is in major transition faced with overwhelming challenges and many unknowns. More people are turning to faith in hopes of finding answers to the complexities of life. But the Church of Jesus Christ cannot adequately respond to the needs of this hour without putting on a new wineskin of corporate identity. The Church has an image problem that needs solving.

The election results on November 4^th produced a new wineskin, a new paradigm of equality. If people of faith will rightly discern the times, we can seize an unprecedented opportunity to be more unified as the Body of Christ which will result in a far greater witness of our faith throughout the nation and the world.