The 10/40 Window
Become a Global Christian
By Hannah Goodwyn
CBN.com Senior Producer
CBN.com
Our job as Christians is clear:
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." Matthew 28:18-19 (New Living Translation)
Notice it says all nations. Situated in our comfortable pews, it can become easy to forget that we are part of a large family the Bible refers to as the Body of Christ. Our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka may be halfway around the world, but they are as close to the Father's heart as we are.
Working in 10/40 Window Nations
Beverly Pegues, founder of Window International Network, disciples indigenous Christian leaders in the 10/40 Window, the most unreached area of the world. Pegues frequently hosts summits in these nations, including North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, to encourage and train leaders in how to live and lead for Christ.
Prayer is a big part of WIN's ministry. Through the effective intercession of the saints, God's hand has moved through the region, bringing glory to His name.
"It's not so Western driven anymore in the 10/40 Window," Pegues says. "It's more 10/40 Window driven with leaders being trained, leaders being able to train other leaders. So, we've been very involved ourselves in training leaders, so that these leaders can train other leaders in prayer, evangelism, church planting, and discipleship."
While talking with a Middle Eastern leader, Pegues discovered that local believers had been discussing the possible reasons behind the significant increase in conversions. The consensus was that it was Christians from all over the world praying through the Window. It was the only difference between the percentage of salvations before and what they are seeing in their countries now.
"We find leaders that we can speak into, and of course there's the multiplication and the ripple effect," she says.
Keep the Prayer Pressure On
Join in focused prayer for the nations in the 10/40 Window. WIN produces a special prayer calendar that highlights in-depth profiles, persecution reports, and specific prayer points for each nation.
Prayer is key. But, being alert to what's happening overseas is also essential.
"The biggest thing is awareness, praying that the church in the West would be aware of what's going on and the atrocities that are happening in the 10/40 Window nations, and how we can step up to the plate," she says.
Pray, and Then Act!
When you hear of the religious violence committed overseas, pray for your brothers and sisters, but also do something about it. What can we do about it from here? Call your leader in Congress. Write a letter to the United Nations. Become an advocate for those who suffer for Christ, and understand that life in the West is drastically different from the perils that the Body of Christ faces everyday in these nations.
Pegues shares one recent example, "A child in Saudi Arabia converted to Christianity and the father cut her tongue and killed her. He cut out the tongue of his daughter and burned her to death for converting to Christianity. Now, people need to know that. They need to know these kinds of things are happening. Otherwise we become so introverted, we become irrelevant to our society."
Through WIN and other Christ-centered mission organizations, God is raising up indigenous leaders who are disciplining new believers in Christ even in the face of grave persecution. Our part to play in it all – educate, pray, and then act on their behalf.
Related Links:
Get Praying Through the Window Calendars
Sign up for Emergency Prayer Alerts
Hannah Goodwyn serves as the Family and Entertainment producer for CBN.com. For more articles and info, visit Hannah's bio page.
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