Follow forward under fire
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ChatGPTThe call to stay
I'm writing this while returning from Nigeria. I've spent a week with Ali Samson, his family, and mission team as they serve God in Plateau State. Central and northern Nigeria are volatile environments where religious and ethnic tensions are rife—spilling over into violent bloodshed.
In a previous article, I wrote about following the call to "go." This week, I'm reminded that sometimes the hardest call is to "stay." That is the call which Ali and his family are obeying. As he shares:
"This is what I'm called to do… especially among our urban youths… those people who are hard to reach and have a lot of problems of poverty and crime."
Fruitful obedience
I'm reminded of the man from Gerasenes, from whom Jesus cast out a legion of demons. Once healed and restored, he wanted to physically follow Jesus. But Jesus had a different mandate for him. He was called to stay and share his testimony. Mark tells us:
"So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed" (Mark 5:20).
The next time Jesus returned to that area, there were wide-open opportunities for Him to heal the sick and preach to crowds. It is likely Jesus fed the 4,000 in this region (see Mark 8). Therefore, it seems very possible that the man formerly known as Legion had been having a significant impact as a result of obediently sharing his story with his neighbours.
Staying can be costly
Yet, as mentioned above, Ali's call to stay in Nigeria comes at a cost. He has grown up within the context of persecution and violence. As he explains:
"The killings of Christians and the oppression is not just killing… when you're living in those states, you're like a second, third class citizen… You'd be denied of your promotion, salaries… you'll be denied of opportunities… This is something that I've lived through all my life… coming from the North [of Nigeria]."
However, rather than turning to bitterness or seeking revenge, Ali, his family, and team are responding with a Kingdom perspective:
"Now living in Jos… these things are happening almost every day… and we respond by praying… [and] discipling those people."
A growing movement
Ali has developed a growing movement of disciple-making among the poor, marginalised, and those battling addiction. Just like the man formerly known as Legion, the impact is tangible and points people to the transformative power of the gospel.
"People saw transformation in the lives of these guys… and they also wanted to use where they are and what they had to make disciples."
Now there are multiple groups meeting for Bible study and discipleship. It is a grassroots movement, emerging from the margins, that is bringing the light of the gospel into a very dark context.
Should I stay or should I go?
Ali's call to stay is intrinsically connected to his vision for a multi-generational impact that will spread to other nations. As he shares:
"So we believe in the third, fourth generations, nations start emerging that will glorify God."
This is a powerful vision. However, it all begins with aligning ourselves with God's plan, and that starts simply by asking Him where He wants us to serve. Some are called to go to the ends of the earth, but many are called to stay and be a signpost for the gospel right where they are.
The simple challenge is this: Are you available to go where God calls you to go, or to stay if He is instructing you to stay?
After praying a prayer of surrender to Christ, perhaps the next most important prayer is to ask God what our address should be. Have you prayed that prayer?
Where He is calling us to serve is intrinsically connected to how He is calling us to serve and whoHe is calling us to serve. Being certain that we are in the place He has called us means we can have confidence in His presence and provision, even when we feel under fire for our faith.
 | Dr. Tim Tucker is the Africa Development Director on the global leadership team of The Message Trust. He has a PhD in Practical Theology from North-West University (South Africa) and has written four books, including Grab a Towel: Christ-centered Servant Leadership for the 21st Century (Message Books 2018), Grief and Grace: Facing the Future I Didn’t Choose (Message Books 2019), and The Pace Setter: Paul, Timothy and the Art of Multiplying Leaders(Message Books 2014). Learn More » |
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