Connect October – December 2020

One day, I found an old book, written by a missionary, Ruth Schaffer. It tells the story of Ruth, and her husband Roy, going to Kenya in the early 1900s, bound for the then-unreached Maasai people. Reading their story, I am struck by the commitment, courage, and sheer audacity of the Schaffer family. And I wonder, would anybody in AIM, myself included, even think of allowing such a risky journey today, much less bless it and send them off?

But this is 2020, not 1910. Africa is different. The world is different. The church is different. The Maasai are reached. Some things remain the same. The Great Commission is the same. Our call is the same. All we do is still focussed on Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it is not really about AIM or about missionaries or about you and me. It is about the Father, redeeming, loving, and calling the lost.

What has changed in 125 years? Transportation, communication, finance, healthcare. Churches, mission agencies, governments. Mission structures, models, and strategies. Huge, vibrant churches in every country of Sub-Saharan Africa. Decline of the church in many traditional AIM mobilising countries. It has all changed and will likely continue to change. Missionaries from the early 1900s would not recognise much about the AIM of 2020. And today’s missionaries might not recognise the AIM of 2050. Or even 2030. But the essential things do not change. Because, ultimately, Jesus does not change.

There are still almost 1,000 African unreached people groups, mostly in the Sahel, North and West Africa. May Jesus find us faithful, even for the next 125 years. Or until he returns.

Luke Herrin, AIM’s International Director

Resource Details

Type: Magazines

Add this resource to the resource box by using the ‘+ Collect resource’ button above. You can collect all you need and then download multiple items. Alternatively click ‘Download Resource’ to just download this single item.

Resource box

      Your resource box is empty. Click + Collect resource to add an item to the Resource box, or click Find out more to open each individual item.
Please spread the word...

We would love you to share this resource with those you know…

Related resources

the power of friendship image and title

The power of friendship

Ministry can look very different in nations where Christians can’t freely share their faith. Our Nigerian colleague Deborah*, has found that many come to faith through friendship.

> LEARN MORE