Missions Paper
Introduction
Missions begins with the purpose of God to create for Himself a new people from every tribe, nation and tongue on earth. In the Apocryphal book of Revelation, this purpose is echoed as the Apostle John records a glorious scene in heaven where “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, [was] standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”(Revelation 7:9-10). If this is a true glimpse of what the end will be, then it must happen by God’s sovereign decree.
This paper will focus on how Revelation 7:9-10 can become and continue to be a reality for the Moroccan Arabs. If God has called for Himself people from every tribe, nation, and tongue, then the Arabs in Morocco will be part of this great redeemed multitude. The sovereign purpose of God does not simply decree this end to happen, but it also decrees the means for this end. While many nations around the world have already and continue to see many peoples come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, nations such as Morocco continue to largely experience rejection of the gospel. The Joshua Project, a website dedicated to the spread of the gospel among unreached people groups, states that less than 1% of Moroccan Arabs are evangelical Christians. Islam is the primary religion among Moroccan Arabs and has been the overwhelming majority for over fourteen centuries. Patrick Johnstone in his book “Operation World”, states that “Probably no more than 5% of the population have had personal contact with the gospel.”
This paper will focus on the background and history of the Moroccan Arabs, including their beliefs, culture, language, and economy. This paper will also focus on the previous and current status of missions work in Morocco. This section will include a history of the church, the
Missions begins with the purpose of God to create for Himself a new people from every tribe, nation and tongue on earth. In the Apocryphal book of Revelation, this purpose is echoed as the Apostle John records a glorious scene in heaven where “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, [was] standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”(Revelation 7:9-10). If this is a true glimpse of what the end will be, then it must happen by God’s sovereign decree.
This paper will focus on how Revelation 7:9-10 can become and continue to be a reality for the Moroccan Arabs. If God has called for Himself people from every tribe, nation, and tongue, then the Arabs in Morocco will be part of this great redeemed multitude. The sovereign purpose of God does not simply decree this end to happen, but it also decrees the means for this end. While many nations around the world have already and continue to see many peoples come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, nations such as Morocco continue to largely experience rejection of the gospel. The Joshua Project, a website dedicated to the spread of the gospel among unreached people groups, states that less than 1% of Moroccan Arabs are evangelical Christians. Islam is the primary religion among Moroccan Arabs and has been the overwhelming majority for over fourteen centuries. Patrick Johnstone in his book “Operation World”, states that “Probably no more than 5% of the population have had personal contact with the gospel.”
This paper will focus on the background and history of the Moroccan Arabs, including their beliefs, culture, language, and economy. This paper will also focus on the previous and current status of missions work in Morocco. This section will include a history of the church, the
Bibliography: Johnstone, Patrick, and Jason Mandryk. Operation World. Waynesboro: Paternoster, 1993. Melton, J Gordon. Religions of The World:A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Santa Barbara: ABC - CILO, LLC, 2010. Piper, John. Let The Nations Be Glad. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1993. Project, The Joshua. Arab,Moroccan of Morocco. 1999. http://joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=13819&rog3=MO (accessed July 7, 2013). Sater, James N. Morocco: Challenges to tradition and modernity. New York: Routledge, 2010. "Stop Preaching or Get Out; Morocco 's Evangelical Christians." The Economist, 2010: 36. [ 2 ]. Johnstone, Patrick, Operation World, (Waynesboro: Paternoster,2001) ,455 [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. Johnstone, Patrick, Operation World, (Waynesboro: Paternoster,2001) ,455 [ 5 ] [ 6 ]. Joshua Project (web site) http://www.joshuaproject.net/ (accessed June 30, 2013). [ 7 ]. Johnstone, Patrick, Operation World, (Waynesboro: Paternoster,2001) ,455 [ 8 ] [ 9 ]. Melton, J Gordon. Religions of The World:A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Santa Barbara: ABC - CILO, LLC, 2010., 1958-1961 [ 10 ] [ 13 ]. "Stop Preaching or Get Out; Morocco 's Evangelical Christians." The Economist, 2010: 36. [ 16 ]. Piper, John. Let The Nations Be Glad. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1993., 39