by Tim Salley
Look at this map of the world. Someone has drawn a circle on it. Why? To point out a very astonishing fact. The fact that over 50% of the world’s 7+ billion people live inside this Circle. An interesting demographic statistic, correct? Yes, but for those of us that are working towards closure on the Great Commission there is more to this Circle than just plain old statistics.
Jesus Christ said that “the fields are ripe unto harvest.” How true this is in this area of the world that is now being referred to as “the Circle.” There are still millions and millions of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other unreached peoples in the Circle that have yet to hear the Gospel of Christ for the first time.
Jesus Christ also said that “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” How true this is in this area of the world that is called the Circle.
Jesus Christ emphatically declared, “Go and preach the gospel to all the world!” It was not a suggestion, it was the Savior’s command! It was His last will and testament! The #1 objective of the Church is to declare the Gospel in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria & to the uttermost parts of the world.” In our generation, this must include a greater & more focused emphasis on the preaching of the Gospel in the Circle.
Missiologists tell us that only 1% of the Church’s resources are used to preach the Gospel in the Circle. We must re-prioritize our time, talents and resources if we are going to reach our entire generation with the Gospel. The Body of Christ must immediately change its course. There must be a greater focus on working towards closure on the Great Commission. The Body of Christ must focus more of its human resources, financial resources and spiritual resources on the harvest of souls that is living within the Circle.
In 1949, General Douglas MacArthur called for a vast missions force to descend upon the nation of Japan. This call was in response to what MacArthur saw in the Japanese people after their defeat in World War II. Some answered that call but many did not. Seventy years later Japan is still a nation adhering to the religion of Shintoism. We missed a divine opportunity back then!
It is now the year 2014. I, Tim Salley, call on the Body of Christ in the developed, reached, evangelized and Christian world to focus on the area of the world called the Circle. To send forth laborers into the harvest fields within the Circle. To send forth resources to train and equip laborers for the harvest fields within the Circle. To send forth intercession into the Circle that the Holy Spirit can use to penetrate the hearts and minds of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other unreached peoples.
Let’s take up this Macedonian call so that millions and millions of lost souls can hear the Gospel and accept and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Let’s seize this kairos opportunity!
We have to live for something. Let’s give 100% of our lives for God’s kingdom purposes. God wants to partner with us to see righteousness and praise spring up among all the peoples of the Circle. Come on – the untold millions that are still untold in the Circle are waiting to hear from us!