We live in the best of times to preach and hear the gospel truth through tech and media

Lunminthang Haokip *

MANIPUR OF THE 1960s: In the 1960s of the last century, hill area of Manipur wasn't like it is today. Literacy had not caught up much. Communication was poor. Tech and media were still primitive. So were the methods adopted to spread the Gospel. Managing Church affairs, also, was done as per the conditions of the day.

If an area parish meeting was to be conducted, someone was sent to manually deliver notice personally on foot. Loud speaker and a low wattage amplifier were all folks knew about sound-system. Nevertheless, the Word was preached in clarity of audibility.

GOSPEL SCENE IN THE PAST CENTURIES: The western world was much better. In the late 1800s , DL Moody travelled on a ship to take the Gospel across the Atlantic. John Wesley rode on horseback to reach out to needy souls of England in the 18th century.

In His supreme wisdom, God upgraded means of transport, tech and media century after century so that Ministries in His name advance faster. Electricity that was indispensable to modern life was hinted 4000 years back in Job 38:35, "Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you , 'Here we we are'?

THE JUDSONS 'JETTISONED:' Hats off to Adoniram and Anne Judson for having wrestled with adverse conditions in Myanmar in the first half of the 19th century to make Christ known. In the face of persecution, imprisonment and illness, the American missionary couple translated the Bible in Burmese and Thai. Judson laboured for 7 years to get the first Karen convert.

The king of Ava, who God humbled later, was hostile to the work of God, initially. Yet, the Almighty charted a way out in the 'wilderness' in the midst of opposition to evangelise Myanmar. The king's eyesight problem opened the doors for an American missionary doctor and Judson access to witness.

GOD'S GRAND PLAN FOR SALVATION: God planned out and hinted the advent of improved means of transport, the media and the internet right in Daniel's time. "But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge (Daniel 12:4)."

Air travel brought Nations much closer. The prophecy is fulfilled today. The internet places all kinds of info at one's fingertips. The Word is preached in many languages across the globe. New media and tech are exploited to the hilt to reach out to myriad souls.

THE WORLD IS GOD'S PARISH: The disciples of Jesus were commanded by the Lord Himself to go to the ends of the world and spread the Good News. If the Lord willed, He also saw to it that His desire was fulfilled in due course of time. Discoveries and inventions could have been ordered from heaven to make soul-winning easier or more convenient.

Christ Himself predicted in Matthew 24:14, "And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all Nations, and then the end will come." Strange happenings around the world indicate that it is the beginning of the end.

ROADS MADE TO MAKE GOSPEL INROADS: Besides, the construction of new highways, like Asian Highway, must have had the approval and sanction of heaven to speed up the spread of the Good News through people to people contact.

AH-1 will create a passage for evangelism in ASEAN countries. The roads made by the Roman Empire in BC times were used by St Paul in his missionary journeys. Satellite TVs beam the Word to all corners of the globe 24X7. Now, no nation or individual can claim not to have heard Jesus and His Gospel. Miracles are happening every day.

TECH AND TIMES ARE GIFTS TO LIFT UP HIS NAME: Tech had produced, among other wonders, the digital Bible and the Audio Bible for men's convenience. Google Search helps preachers to find out the Bible verses their memory fails them to remember. YouTube stores every great sermon. The present gen is so blessed.

Are we praising our God of creation for the glut of privilege and advantage? Social media can do wonders in reaching out to thousands of global citizenry.

Let's gratefully use tech and media to serve our Lord and witness to people with renewed zeal and vigour.