At our church,
LifeTree Fellowship, we have a branch of ministry called
Our World Missions. My wife Juli and I recently went on a mission trip to Liberia, connecting with Samaritan's Purse. Our team was lead by missionary Gary Ham. Below is a narrative written by Gary about the 2 week trip:
“STETE”
On every mission trip there is something
new that you learn about God, about yourself, and about the call to
service in global missions. During this recent trip to Liberia, occurring
over the first two weeks in November 2012, I learned a deeper meaning of and
application for what the Apostle Paul meant when he told the believers in
Ephesus to “stand.”
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when
the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have
done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around
your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place… Ephesians 6:13-14
The Greek word from which we derive the word stand
is “Stete,”
pronounced in English “stay-tay.”
It is very likely that the Apostle Paul used this word because
it was broadly recognized during that time as the battle cry of the elite Roman
soldiers who in battle stood their ground, refusing to surrender or give up
ground. Paul’s use of the word intended to
convey to Christians this radical call to persevere in their faith, and to
stand fast and firm when engaged in spiritual warfare.
Traveling often to the
mission field, I am fairly accustomed to spiritual warfare. What I mean by spiritual warfare is the
believer’s struggle against obstacles and hindrances that are experienced in ministry
which are above and beyond the norm, and which have their source and origins in
the demonic realm.
Our U.S. team had a very
exciting and productive trip to Liberia for the first eight days of our work
there. Collectively, we had ministered
in about 6 different towns and communities, preached and taught on various
subjects to 400 church leaders and ministers, in forty 40 different settings. God had called our team to Liberia to help
equip pastors, leaders, and missionaries in the work of the ministry, mainly in
rural and remote areas of the country. But
in the opening night of an evangelistic festival where we were serving, in a
community known to be a stronghold of devil worship, there were signs that we were
not going to be unopposed in our work; a hornet’s nest of spiritual activity
had been stirred up.
As we sat together on the
platform, enjoying the opening of the program, the flood lights went partially
inoperative. Soon after, problems with the
sound system developed. The program continued, being
led by the host ministry team, showing no signs of discouragement or concern. But then, the worst came. A major rainstorm quickly gathered itself and
moved upon the area with torrential rain and winds. The great majority of people who were in
attendance scattered for protection from this assault. I for one was contemplating doing the same. After all, serving as the guest evangelist, I
wondered if I should be putting myself at risk of catching cold or something else
that would hinder my ability to minister effectively. But the word of the Lord came to mind,
“Stand,” don’t leave the platform, persevere—“Stete.”
The Festival Director, a man
of great faith, Pastor Gentry, gallantly took the microphone and began to lead everyone
in intercessory prayer and a series of shouts of praise and worship unto the
Lord. Worship and praise became mighty weapons of warfare against the enemy
who was attempting to disrupt the festival and discourage the people. This was a call to action, not for the faint
of heart, a call to stand up to any and every challenge that could hinder the
salvation of hundreds of lost souls, many who had walked for hours in hope of
hearing a life-changing message!
What a wonderful moment to also
see the U.S. ministry team worship God in the midst of driving rain and winds,
taking a bold stand of faith with Liberian brothers and sisters to overcome
their common foe.
The people who had come to
receive from the festival began to rally and praise God, sensing that a more
powerful Presence was at work to triumph
over the stormy weather. Suddenly, the
winds and rain subsided. In less than 20 minutes, the weather changed from
torrential rains, to a drizzle, and then to a complete stop; when God’s people took a stand, the Lord
answered with a miracle!
A young girl in the audience
reported to the ushers that earlier she had seen what appeared to be “a large
dark woman” with outstretched arms who was literally pulling rain down from the
skies! But as the shouts of praises and intercessory prayer began, the little
girl said that this ominous person, who apparently was an emissary from the
domain of darkness, mysteriously disappeared.
The apostle Paul said that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
(Ephesians 6:12).”
The
people returned to the field, a much larger number than before the rains began.
Additionally, the lights and the
sound system began to work properly. Expressions of
thanksgiving, joy, and praise took the service to a higher level of faith and
expectancy. As the altar call was given
at the end of the service, 260 people walked to the platform to receive Jesus
Christ as their Lord and Savior. To God be the Glory!
All
over the world God is calling His people to preach and proclaim the gospel of
Jesus Christ for the advancement of His Kingdom in the earth. But evil forces
and powers which are in the spiritual realm will oppose this calling and
Christians are exhorted to be ready to war against them. The
saints of God are assured of obtaining the victory if they would persevere in
the face of trials and adversity and always stand up for the honor and glory of
God’s great name. This too will be the
battle cry of an end-time generation of believers in Jesus Christ, “STETE!”
Gary E
Ham, Executive Director
