Taking Time to Work the Field

As I write, we are in the midest of the silmultaneous revival effort with our Native American congregations. Fifty-one churches from Louisiana have come to assist Indian churches in New Mexico with intentional evangelistic efforts. As of the close of Wednesday's activities, there have been 21 professions of faith. With most revivals running through Thursday, and several teams working through next weekend, I trust that the final report will have even more to rejoice about.

But what excites me most are the long-term partnerships emerging between churches. Congregations are partnering for more than this week. Many of the Louisiana churches are committing to return, with some committing to three or more years of joint ministry. This is an answer to prayer.

Why are these partnerships so crucial? Because this mission field is not as ripe a field as others. There are some places where the foundation of the gospel has been laid, and groups will work to see many come to faith. But out here this is not often the case. Oh, the gospel has been present for more than 100 years. And we have reached a share of the population so that they are serving our Lord through many congregations. Still, the best estimate from the Baptist Convention of New Mexico is that 95% of the persons in the four counties I serve are lost. And most of them are absolutely committed to their present way of life.

Our team from First Baptist Church, Sulfur, Louisiana, discovered this reality first hand. Last week, while serving in Nahodishgish (see previous posts), they were well received by members of the church I am starting. In fact, they were well received by the entire community. Even the Chapter Coordinator gave them an open door for ministry. But he also spoke clearly about how he preferrs his traditional beliefs. As he explained, his mother was a Christian, and he supports the community having a healthy church; but, as for himself, he will not turn his back on the traditional Navajo beliefs of his father.

I can't tell you how many Navajo I have met who feel as he does. They know the gospel, and they like what it teaches; but, in the end, they reject it. This is the prevalent mindset in most of the Navajo communities we serve.

Can our Lord soften such hearts? Absolutely! But my observation is that it takes time. Before a great harvest is seen, we must invest years in building relationships, earning trust, and demonstrating Christ-like love through service. Many don't have the patience for such. They want to come, reap whatever harvest is ready, and move out. But for genuine revival and awakening to take place out here, we must take the time to work the field.

I personally believe this to be true across the country, not just in Indian country (I'll save that rant for another post). Everyone loves the harvest, but many have grown impatient with sowing and watering. And don't get me wrong. I long for days of great harvest. But, as I read scripture, I see that the harvest is promised to those who persevere in preparing for it: "Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up," (Gal. 6:9).

So, while I rejoice in the fruit born this week, I am especially grateful for those who have given themselves to sowing, watering, and everything else. With you I eagerly anticipate the harvest yet to come through our faithfulness.

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim

Behind the Walls

Greetings all, and forgive the long absence from the blogosphere. Suffice it to say, there's been a lot going on out west. As always, there is the joyful task of helping our churches to reach out and the less-than-joyful but necessary work of problem solving. Through all of it, our Lord has continued to reveal Himself. Thanks for your prayers.

When people consider the mission field in which the Turnbos serve, most focus on our Native American works. This makes sense, given that half of the churches in the Mountain and Western Baptist Associations are Native American. But there is a significant area of ministry that also needs your prayers. It involves ministry to those in prison.

I bring this up because today is a special day. In First Baptist Church of Grants, where Karen, the kids, and I are members, we will be commissioning Linda Rosingus as a chaplain for the women's prison here. Linda, recently endorsed by the North American Mission Board as an Institutional Chaplain, serves as our missionary behind walls. Many of the women she serves have one last opportunity to redeem their lives before their release back into society. Others with whom she works will never again see life outside of the prison fence. As her associational missionary, I am most proud of the work Linda is doing. I look forward to seeing how the Lord works through her, and how our association may partner with her.

But Linda's work represents only one aspect this vast area of ministry. The Grants / Milan community is home to two other prisons: a state men's facility and a federal institution. Aside from Linda, we have Carlos Tapia leading Bible study in the men's unit and Paul and Trudy Crumb with their ministry, Unfailing Love, providing pre-release support and mentoring to women. Together these individuals are working to share God's wonderful grace with persons most others have given up on.

Please pray for our prison ministries, and for Linda, Carlos, Paul and Trudy. Pray that the Lord would work through them to reveal himself as Lord, even behind prison walls. And pray for our association, as we partner with them. My vision would be for ministries that raise up leaders from among the prison population, saved inmates ministering to others in the love of Christ. And who knows? Maybe even a church plant within the prison is a possibility. It's something to pray about.

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim