Evangelism is the responsibility of every believer. While many believe that only some have the “gift of evangelism,” I firmly believe that all Christians have the obligation to share the gospel as it is and should be in the heart of every believer to look for opportunities to share. Churches should partner with Christians to create evangelistic opportunities for both urban and rural evangelism.
Allow me to share some of the distinctive aspects of rural evangelism. We must not think that evangelism carried out in rural areas is different from city evangelism. It is not. The principles are the same. But the application of the principles is perhaps a little different. First we have to consider the challenges that are faced by any church or missionary who would take up this task.
1. Unrealized Opportunities
People do not recognise there is work to be done in rural areas. They say that there is no opportunity for evangelism in these areas. They feel that there is no need for this task. In fact, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore we have to send out workers to this field.
2. Lack of Enthusiasm
Many members of the church can be good leaders but are not interested in the task of rural evangelism, many are not even motivated to take part in rural evangelism. God gives different gifts to the church and these should be used within the mission.
3. Less Education
Usually people in rural areas do not have as much education as people in the town. As a result rural people are strongly inclined to think that they are not qualified to do the work of witnessing. It is wise to edify their lives by the words of God through our own testimonies in life. The truth of God’s Word should be presented in such a way that it can be understood even by those who have very little education. Thus, preaching to them in their mother tongue would be an advantage. Also missionaries have to tell them that Christ chose disciples who were not highly educated and used them for His work.
4. Familiarity a Hindrance
Generally, a man knows his neighbour much better than the citydweller does. Some are inclined to be hesitant about speaking to their neighbours about Christ. They have possibly lived next door to each other for many years, and may even have worked together. Actually they are in the best position to determine the proper time to approach their neighbour.
5. Layworkers needed
Pastors cannot do their work alone. Laymen are needed. The local people need to be trained as Ketua Sembayang to lead their own people. Lay workers play an important role in the program of rural evangelism Their assistance is indispensable during the absence of pastors. Each longhouse should have a leader as their shepherd.
6. Lack of Opportune Time
This is a problem in rural evangelism. Most of them are farmers and they work from sun-up to sun-down. They are busy the whole day and are not easily available, except after dinner. This distracts our plans to organise seminars, workshops and Bible Study during daytime.
7. Past Neglection
The people are there all the time, and yet no one from the church ever come before to talk to them about their soul’s welfare. They are not visited and cared regularly. All Christians have a responsibility toward the people living in the rural areas.
8. The Problem of Distance
This problem causes difficulty in pursuing the work of evangelism. The longhouses are scattered, some are quite isolated and hard to reach. This creates communication gap. The journeys to the interior are tedious and dangerous and only fourxfour vehicles or Hilux can go through. And the last resort is by walking for hours to reach the destination. Some areas can only be reached by longboats which take hours too. During draught season, travellers and missionaries have to pull and drag the boats through shallow waters and the journey will take longer than usual. Thus, the cost of transport for rural evangelism is high.
9. Sunday School
The Sunday School cannot be carried out quite so effectively in the rural areas. Most of the children are boarders in schools. Probably it is better to conduct Sunday School during school holidays. Sunday school teachers ought to be trained to do this task. The age difference of the children add to this problem due to their different levels of intelligence.
10. Impact of Urbanisation
The impact of urbanisation creates emptiness in the rural communities. Only the elders and school children remain in the longhouses. The young generation have gone to pursue their studies or work out-stations. Many rooms are without occupants. During school holidays parents brought their kids out to towns. It is only during festive seasons like Gawai and Christmas the longhouses will be full of people. Urbanisation really affects population movements in the rural areas.
These are some of the challenges faced by rural evangelism.
These are the reasons why rural evangelism cannot be carried out in exactly the same way as it is done in urban areas. These challenges must be carefully weighed in order to ascertain the effectiveness of the gospel.
In spite of these challenges, we must still bring PEACE to every longhouse in the rural areas during our mission trips. We Promote Christianity, Equip young leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the weak, and Educate the next generation.
Let us remember that the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. Let us be like the apostle Paul who says in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.”
In the face of these challenges let us go to God in prayer and ask him to help us, and to guide us that we may find the satisfactory answers in each case.
Let us keep going and feed the rural folks with bread and quench their thirst with God’s Words as mentioned in John 6:35 – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
The rural folks need the Lord! How can the rural folks know and hear the gospel If we don’t go and evangelise to them.
Romans 10: 14-15
How,then,can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
Jason Siew
Volumtary Local Missionary