The following is my brief correspondence back to a missionary in Scotland who has been serving there with his family for the past few years.  The missionary that writes now understands clearly, like we learned, how serving in Scotland amidst a crumbling culture has many difficulties.   It is my hope that those who read this will be encouraged to press on in the work that Christ has called them to - missionary or not.    The blue text below is the missionaries, and the black text is my own.   - Chris Lawson

September 16, 2011

 - Hey Chris,

 - I feel for you and Jennifer.

 - I have been struggling out here these last two years, but we are finally seeing the fruit of it.

Hey brother - although the missions work is very slow and difficult, like plowing amongst rocks in a wasteland, it is worth it all.   Do not give up, do not lose hope.  

Many folks in the USA wonder why it is so difficult there in Scotland, including pastors, but now you know as you have learned the lessons we too learned when there.   I spent almost six years trying to communicate how difficult it is as a Christian in the United Kingdom - to numerous pastor friends in the USA.    I got little empathy and next to no support.  Nonetheless, God blessed our day-to-day efforts in Scotland.  I personally wish we were still there.   What looks like "little fruit" is still fruit - and your voice for the Lord, and your actions amongst the people there are no doubt heard loudly.   Believe me, it is not until one leaves there that you see the GIGANTIC IMPACT you have made on the Scottish folk.  They are such dear people and although they may be reluctant to communicate to you about how you are impacting their lives, you would know immediately if you left them to move back to the USA.   We saw this as numerous people we ministered to wept and cried for us to stay.  They need faithful pastors there, they are tired of false Christianity, heavy-shepherding leaders, and the general run-of-the-mill hypocrisy in churches.

 - I have experienced the fruit that results from suffering which God allows.

Your labor and pain is not in vain!!!!!!   NEVER allow the devil's minions to rip you off with this one.   The suffering you experience as a Christian and as a pastor is a useful thing to God, and can be useful as a wide open door for the Scottish people to draw near to you and your family - amidst your own personal trials.  Let them minister to you when you are hurting - it is reciprocal -we all take our turns do we not - Christian and non-Christian alike.   Infirmity, death amongst family and friends, suffering, financial struggles, weakness, sickness, etc. - in a huge way, what God has allowed you and us to go through is simply a way of opening the doors to reach people with Christ's love.   I think you know what I mean.

 - Following Him really does put more people against us than we ever would have anticipated.

Yes indeed on this one too!   "... [A]ll who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12)   This includes being godly in the [visible] church, when so many are compromising.  Your a "Fundy" bro [as they say that mock at us], because you believe in the basic teachings of the Christian faith.  I was treated as a "Fundy" because I believe in the biblical doctrine of the rapture, that the Bible is actually "God's Word," and that Christ will set up His 1000 year Millennial kingdom in the future - just as the Bible teaches.   Oh well, let the persecution come, we will stick with God's Word and living godly in Christ Jesus - no matter what may befall us.

 - There is no formula for success other than faithfulness and obedience!

Again you have hit the nail on the head.  As you now well know, much of "American Christianity" does not work in the United Kingdom, let alone the suspicion ridden landscape and culture of Scotland.  The "arm of the flesh" does not work there. Much of the creative "outreach" ministry stuff that works in California and Mexico will simply NOT work in the UNited Kingdom.   I have seen a number of very well intentioned Christians make utter idiots of themselves in front of the Scottish and English people, effectively turning people off and needlessly doing damage to the name and cause of Christ.  The Scots and English want to see you live your faith, not just talk about it.    I know a large number of people in the U.K. [and USA]  that have become disgusted about Christianity because of the unbiblical TBN/GOD TV garbage Christianity that has dragged Jesus' s name through the mud a million times over.  The false teachers and false prophets are nowadays everywhere - and people are tired of their ways - they misrepresent Christ and His Gospel to no end.

Pastor, the Lord desires your obedience, and ours, not great feats done in our own strength.    If God allows you [and your family] to go walk down the road of suffering, you must endure it with your eyes upon things above, where Christ is seated, at the right hand of God.  Your calling and mine is to be OBEDIENT and FAITHFUL to Christ, not build a name for ourselves.  Ministries [yours and ours] of course have to have names attached to them because we are involved with people, but obedience and faithfulness to Christ go much farther than all that. 

Revelation 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.   [Emphasis mine]

Remember this - When your life practically becomes 'grist for the mill', and you have been raked through the fire by whatever the devil's forces can muster up [and God sovereignly allows], then is the time to remain, more than ever, true to the call of obedience to Christ.  If you are going to stay there in Scotland, you must remember this, for you will be tried in the fire by the power of Satan from every angle - friends, family, your name and reputation, your finances, your physical belongings, your kids, your wife - ALL are a target for the enemy of your soul, in order to try to run your faith into the ground, and get you to leave the mission field.    Unless God shows you and your wife clearly that you are to move on, stay there!  God has ways of showing us all what He wants, through His Word, and through circumstances - listen to Him, not other voices, nor your weakened physical and emotional state.

Hey brother, we love you, and do hope that whatever you are faring through at this time, the tides will ebb and flow as God allows, for your benefit and for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Scotland and beyond.  Tears are not a bad thing - and oftentimes, it is better to weep before the Lord when our "American in Scotland mindset" plan A,B,C,D, and E have not worked for us.   Jesus wept (John 11:35; ), and Paul wept, and so too we must try tears 

Acts 20:19-31

19Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,  21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:  23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  [Emphasis mine]

Weeping and sighing and groaning over the abominations in the land and amidst God's people is the starting point.  God honors hearts that are broken and contrite, and that are set on things above, not on things on the earth.

Ezekiel 9: 4

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.  [Emphasis mine]

Colossians 3:1-4

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.   [Emphasis mine]

Press on, in prayer, and obedience to Him Who has called you to a great work.  Whether you see a vast harvest or not, that is up to the Lord.   You must be about spreading His truth, guarding His flock, and laying down your life for Christ in an age when the majority of  ministers in the West are more concerned about being popular, politically correct, and building their own kingdoms, not Christ's.

Phil. 2:20-22

For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.  22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. [Emphasis mine]

With brotherly kindness, Christ's affection, and for Christ's glory alone,

Chris Lawson

Spiritual Research Network

www.spiritual-research-network.com