StrongholdsStrongholdsDo they Contribute to The Under Do they Contribute to The Under Representation Representation ofof African Americans African Americans in in international missions?international missions?

If so, How?If so, How?

STRONGHOLDSTRONGHOLDA DefinitionA Definition

A Place Having Strong Defenses; A Fortified Place

A Place Where A Group Having Certain Views, Attitudes, etc. is Concentrated

A Stronghold is not Necessarily Evil in Itself: It Becomes Evil When It Establishes Itself Against God or In His Place

2 Corinthians 10:3-42 Corinthians 10:3-4

3.3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,not war according to the flesh,

4.4. For the weapons of our warfare are not For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (destruction of fortresses (strongholds)strongholds)

2 Corinthians 10:5-62 Corinthians 10:5-6

5.5. We areWe are destroying speculations and every destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive God and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,to the obedience of Christ,

6.6. and we are ready to punish all disobedience, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is completewhenever your obedience is complete

NINE POSSIBLE STRONGHOLDSNINE POSSIBLE STRONGHOLDS

The American DreamThe American Dream

Cultural over ChristCultural over Christ

Economic IssuesEconomic Issues

Poor Missions Poor Missions Education Education

Family IssuesFamily Issues

A Spirit of FearA Spirit of Fear

A Faulty Focus A Faulty Focus

A Wrong Perspective A Wrong Perspective

A Lack of TrustA Lack of Trust

The American DreamThe American Dream Better Life than Parents HadBetter Life than Parents Had

Lordship means commitment to one’s LordLordship means commitment to one’s Lord

Trappings of MaterialismTrappings of Materialism More of everythingMore of everything Most recent innovationsMost recent innovations

Two IssuesTwo Issues CommitmentCommitment LordshipLordship

Dealing withDealing with

The American DreamThe American Dream Understand the StrongholdUnderstand the Stronghold

Making the Dream LordMaking the Dream Lord

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? 1 Corinthians 8:61 Corinthians 8:6 Philippians 2:9-11Philippians 2:9-11

PrinciplePrinciple Jesus Christ alone is Lord!Jesus Christ alone is Lord!

CULTURE OVER CHRISTCULTURE OVER CHRIST

One’s Culture Dictates His/Her ActionsOne’s Culture Dictates His/Her Actions

ExampleExample It’s a Man ThingIt’s a Man Thing

It’s a Black ThingIt’s a Black Thing

The International Aspect of Missions if for The International Aspect of Missions if for

the Majority Culture: i.e., White Peoplethe Majority Culture: i.e., White People

Blacks Don’t Do Foreign MissionsBlacks Don’t Do Foreign Missions

Dealing with Dealing with

CULTURECULTURE

Understand theUnderstand the STRONGHOLD STRONGHOLD Culture Placed Over ChristCulture Placed Over Christ

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Luke 6:1-11Luke 6:1-11

PrinciplePrinciple Christ must be placed over CultureChrist must be placed over Culture

ECONOMIC ISSUESECONOMIC ISSUES Can’t afford to go overseas as a short Can’t afford to go overseas as a short

term volunteerterm volunteer Can’t take care of my financial Can’t take care of my financial

obligationsobligations What about children’s education and my What about children’s education and my

retirementretirement Uncomfortable in “begging” to raise Uncomfortable in “begging” to raise

support myself & familysupport myself & family

Dealing with Dealing with

ECONOMIC ISSUESECONOMIC ISSUES

Understand the StrongholdUnderstand the Stronghold Trusting Material Resources Instead of GodTrusting Material Resources Instead of God

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? 2 Corinthians 8:14-15; 9:10-122 Corinthians 8:14-15; 9:10-12 Philippians 4:15-20Philippians 4:15-20

PrinciplePrinciple God’s work done in His time and in His way God’s work done in His time and in His way

will never lack God’s resourceswill never lack God’s resources

(J. Hudson Taylor)(J. Hudson Taylor)

POOR MISSIONS EDUCATIONPOOR MISSIONS EDUCATION

No Comprehensive No Comprehensive Missions Education in Missions Education in Churches for All AgesChurches for All Ages

Little Emphasis by Key Little Emphasis by Key LeadersLeaders

Poor Understanding of Poor Understanding of “The Call”“The Call”

Incomplete Incomplete Interpretation of the Interpretation of the Great CommissionGreat Commission

Few Relevant ModelsFew Relevant Models

Failure to Relate Failure to Relate Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth

Dealing with Dealing with

POOR MISSIONS POOR MISSIONS EDUCATIONEDUCATION Understand the STRONGHOLDUnderstand the STRONGHOLD

Lack of knowledge and/or understanding of one’s Lack of knowledge and/or understanding of one’s part in God’s mission part in God’s mission (Ignorance can be a Stronghold)

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:5-8; Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:5-8; Proverbs 22:6;

Matthew 28:20Matthew 28:20

PrinciplePrinciple The church is to teach her people and train The church is to teach her people and train

them in the ways of her Lordthem in the ways of her Lord

FAMILY ISSUESFAMILY ISSUES Aging ParentsAging Parents

Who will care for them?Who will care for them?

Better Life for ChildrenBetter Life for Children Their Education?Their Education? Their health?Their health?

Family SolidarityFamily Solidarity Extended Family complains “Are you going Extended Family complains “Are you going

because there are no lost people here?”because there are no lost people here?”

Dealing withDealing with

FAMILY ISSUESFAMILY ISSUES

Understand the STRONGHOLDUnderstand the STRONGHOLD Looking to man’s wisdom rather than the wisdom of Looking to man’s wisdom rather than the wisdom of

God God (Putting family before God)(Putting family before God) Misuse Scripture to justify doing what one wants to doMisuse Scripture to justify doing what one wants to do

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Matthew 10:37; 12:47-50; Luke 2:41-52Matthew 10:37; 12:47-50; Luke 2:41-52

PrinciplePrinciple Trust in the inherent goodness of God and the fact Trust in the inherent goodness of God and the fact

that He will do what will bring Him glory and is that He will do what will bring Him glory and is best for His peoplebest for His people

A SPIRIT OF FEARA SPIRIT OF FEAR Fear of FailureFear of Failure Fear for Physical SafetyFear for Physical Safety Fear of the UnknownFear of the Unknown Fear of RejectionFear of Rejection

By other African AmericansBy other African Americans By fellow missionariesBy fellow missionaries By Nationals to whom they are sentBy Nationals to whom they are sent

Dealing with Dealing with

A SPIRIT OF FEARA SPIRIT OF FEAR

Understand the STRONGHOLDUnderstand the STRONGHOLD Spirit of FearSpirit of Fear Fear is not from GodFear is not from God

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:18-21Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:18-21

PrinciplePrincipleThe love of God and for God will cast out fearThe love of God and for God will cast out fear

A FAULTY FOCUSA FAULTY FOCUS

Not seeing the need as God sees itNot seeing the need as God sees it Surrounded by need dailySurrounded by need daily Can’t see the “Big Picture”Can’t see the “Big Picture”

Lacks a clear Understanding God’s Lacks a clear Understanding God’s PurposePurpose Forest/Tree Syndrome (Can’t see the Forest/Tree Syndrome (Can’t see the

forest for the trees)forest for the trees)

Dealing withDealing with

A FAULTY FOCUSA FAULTY FOCUS

Understand the STRONGHOLDUnderstand the STRONGHOLD Truth veiled by the god of this worldTruth veiled by the god of this world

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? 2 Kings 6:15-192 Kings 6:15-19 2 Corinthians 4:3-42 Corinthians 4:3-4

PrinciplePrinciple Humans see only the physical world: God sees Humans see only the physical world: God sees

the big picture. Depend upon God’s directions, the big picture. Depend upon God’s directions, not your insight. Pray that the veil be removed.not your insight. Pray that the veil be removed.

A WRONG PERSPECTIVEA WRONG PERSPECTIVE

Perspective of SelfPerspective of Self Recipient Rather than ParticipantRecipient Rather than Participant

The effect of ConditioningThe effect of Conditioning Models imposed by the MediaModels imposed by the Media Models imposed by the DenominationModels imposed by the Denomination Models imposed by selfModels imposed by self

The Effect of HistoryThe Effect of History Becoming a missionary is a demotionBecoming a missionary is a demotion Not financially able to do foreign missionsNot financially able to do foreign missions

Dealing withDealing with

A WRONG PERSPECTIVEA WRONG PERSPECTIVE

Understand the StrongholdUnderstand the Stronghold Inability to see oneself clearly and precisely as Inability to see oneself clearly and precisely as

children of God and participants in the Lord’s children of God and participants in the Lord’s missionmission

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Deuteronomy 6; Proverbs 3:5-6Deuteronomy 6; Proverbs 3:5-6 Acts 5:29; 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2Acts 5:29; 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2

PrinciplePrinciple Rely upon God to show you who you are and Rely upon God to show you who you are and

make HIS perspective YOUR perspectivemake HIS perspective YOUR perspective

A LACK OF TRUSTA LACK OF TRUST Historical BasisHistorical Basis

Early Relationships between Black Christians Early Relationships between Black Christians and “White” religious organizationsand “White” religious organizations

Early experiences in foreign missionsEarly experiences in foreign missions Effect of attitudes of some early leaders’Effect of attitudes of some early leaders’

Contemporary BasisContemporary Basis Current views on race and cultureCurrent views on race and culture Lack of Access to decision-making structure Lack of Access to decision-making structure

(brought into picture AFTER decisions are (brought into picture AFTER decisions are made)made)

Dealing withDealing with

A LACK OF TRUSTA LACK OF TRUST

Understand the STRONGHOLDUnderstand the STRONGHOLD Insufficient trust in God Insufficient trust in God (Misplaced Trust)(Misplaced Trust) Failure to forgive and forgetFailure to forgive and forget

What does Scripture say?What does Scripture say? Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:26; Romans 8:28-39Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:26; Romans 8:28-39

PrinciplePrincipleForgive and forget. Trust in God, not manForgive and forget. Trust in God, not man

2 Corinthians 4:3-42 Corinthians 4:3-4

3.3. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,veiled to those who are perishing,

4.4. in whose case the god of this world has in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of Godimage of God

2 Corinthians 4:5-62 Corinthians 4:5-6

5.5. For we do not preach ourselves but For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.

6.6. For God, who said, “Light shall shine For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christface of Christ

2 Corinthians 4:72 Corinthians 4:7

7.7. But we have this treasure in But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not power may be of God and not from ourselves.from ourselves.