Tag: Vanuatu

Every second vehicle cruising the streets of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, is some form of public transport. T for Taxi or B for Bus. The taxis are small cars, the buses are 12-seat mini vans. We had two buses that we contacted each time we needed a ride during our November visit. I found particular encouragement from continuing a friendship with Kendrick from a previous visit and establishing a new friendship with Reginald. Both of these men, like many of the bus drivers in Vanuatu, are followers of Jesus.

I tried to encourage them both in the way that they interact with the typical white tourist from Australia. I wanted them to know that most of the Australians that they carry around are not Christians, and that they have an opportunity to share the gospel each time they have new passengers.

The cool thing is, I think they are already doing this. I pray they’ll do it all the more!

Reginald in particular seeks to tell tourists why Ni-Vans are a joyful people. He said that often tourists will say to him: “The people of Vanuatu are so happy, why is that?”

Reggie responds: “We are a joyful people because of Jesus. Jesus brings us joy. Jesus has changed us as a people.” And with reference to the initial response that the gospel had in Vanuatu, “Before Jesus came to this island… I eat you!”

Gold!

Both bus drivers had insights into the way that God has continued to work in their country. What an encouragement to hear and see the way that the gospel of Jesus has reconciled different tribes and islands within the nation of Vanuatu.

I’m praying for boldness for bus drivers with tourists and praying that Vanuatu would keep living out that reconciliation and not lose the gospel.

I’ve literally got to go and get on the plane for Schoolies in Vanuatu 2010. So this better be quick. Below is a summary of all my posts in reflections on the 2009 trip. It was a wonderful time. Stay tuned for some 2010 reflections soon! (Here’s promo vid)

• Don’t Waste Your Life Watching Television and Surfing The Internet
• Vanuatu vs. Fitness First
• Don’t Waste Your Life – MP3s from Vanuatu
• episode 16: new baby + Vanuatu + LOUD
• Beautiful People Part 1
• Beautiful People part 2
• Top 10 Books to Read in Your First Year out of School
• Jesus is Nambawan!
• You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals!
• Who are the Real Savages?
• The Danger of Christian Culture
• Theological Education and 21st Century Missionaries

This is the final post in the Vanuatu 09 reflection series. In the previous post, I suggested that one of the dangers in Vanuatu is that of Christianity becoming a cultural marker rather than personal relationship with Jesus. I suggested that the solution is that the gospel must be the daily for every generation of Christians.

There are lots of countries in a similar position. There was incredible gospel growth through Western missionaries sharing the gospel during the 1800’s and 1900’s. Many countries have become ‘Christian’. The key to guarding the gospel is having strong theological colleges where the gospel continues to be guarded and pastors continue to be equipped to preach it to each successive generation.

Along with Bible translation into indigenous languages, I think establishing and/or bolstering evangelical bible colleges is one of the most strategic missionary endeavours of the 21st Century.

Pastors need to be able to handle the scriptures, discern error and preach Jesus.

The Mormons are growing in the South Pacific. I had a pretty interesting conversation with a number of them in French (that’s another story!) last year. I reckon that the average pastor would know it in their gut that the Mormons were part of some cult, but they wouldn’t necessarily be able to articulate how their errors.

More could be said on this. Not now.

If you’re interested in partnering with evangelical theological colleges in the developing world, check out the fantastic work of Overseas Council.

I’ve noted in this Vanuatu series that it was a country that only 170 years ago was physically hostile to the gospel. While the Ni-Vanuatu people may have once been characterised by ‘savage’ behaviour, now they really are beautiful people.

In my opinion, Vanuatu is now in a potentially dangerous situation. The country is very Christian. The vast majority of people claim to be Christian. The government makes decisions based around a Biblical world view that seeks to promote godliness among its people. These are really cool things. But the danger now is complacency and Christianity merely becoming a cultural thing.

It’s the danger of Christian culture. This has happened throughout history in Christian countries. I think it happens even in smaller communities like Christian schools.

The danger is that being brought up in a Christian cultural context equates to being Christian. No longer do people necessarily see a personal belief in the Risen Saviour and an ongoing growth in godliness as part of what it means to be Christian.

Here’s the slippery slope:

• Generation 1: preaches the gospel
• Generation 2: assumes the gospel
• Generation 3: neglects the gospel
• Generation 4: denies the gospel

To avoid the danger of Christian culture, the preaching of the gospel must become our daily words to one another in EVERY generation. I’ve been praying for Vanuatu this past year that the gospel will continue to be preached to both Christians and non-Christians.

Not familiar with ‘the gospel’? It’s all about the King who SAVES and RULES: check it out!