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Dr. Jim Bradford is the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God. His heart to reach the world with the gospel is evident in his 40-year career in ministry, which you can read more about at jamestbradford.com

Being in a country where there are virtually no known indigenous Christian believers will make a lasting mark on you. I had the experience in East Africa a number of years ago and in the Arab world a few months ago. On this more recent trip my wife, Sandi, and I were with a group of advisory ‘elders’ for the Middle East Live Dead initiative. We could not even risk having our cell phones with us in our private meeting room, even if they were turned off, as we sat and discussed the decision to locate a church planting team in the capital of that nation.

One of the most compelling challenges for the church in the 21st century will be the peoples and places in our world with no functional access to the gospel. These are settings, like the country we were in, where the average person will likely never meet a follower of Jesus in his or her lifetime. For Christ’s living church, this cannot be acceptable.

God’s Spirit is preparing these places for the gospel. He is also calling forth a new generation of church planters who are willing to take on dangerous assignments, be an active presence in areas where the gospel is otherwise inaccessible, plant viable churches and be the forerunners of spiritual breakthrough in nations. They will live as if dead to self-interest but alive to the priorities of Jesus and his mission.

The Live Dead Silk Road initiative is the next step. To the western world the Silk Road conjures up images of commerce, romance and exotic mystery. But from God’s perspective he envisions his living church thriving in the midst of the Silk Road’s massive spiritual need. As always the question comes down to ‘Who will go?’ And like Isaiah, the answer, ‘Here am I, send me,’ is resonating in the hearts of hundreds of dedicated servants of Christ who will answer the question and obey the call.

With prayer, faith, finances and partnership Jesus is going to build his church. Eternal life will indeed come to the inhabitants of the Silk Road.

By Dr. Jim Bradford, General Secretary of the Assemblies of God

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