Why go to Africa? I see people starving and dieing of diseases here? Why preach over there instead of here???

Question

I have some friends with REALLY little kids and they are all going to Africa to preach the word of God. I think teaching God word is great, but I can look out my window right now and see about 5 people that need them RIGHT here....why go there. I just cant see why pastors from there come here and pastors from other places switch with each other all over the globe. Dont they have any sense of community? WHat about the people right here? And to endanger their little children? Someone please explain this to me.

Answer 1

I don't see the sense in preaching at all. Instead of buying a plane ticket send them the money. Do you have any idea how far $1000 US would go in most countries in Africa? Africa doesn't need any more outsiders going in there and creating more division between the people. The French did it, the Belgians, Germans, British, etc. People need to realize when to stop *trying to* help.


*Forcing*

Answer 2

Reality is , it's a scam . I'm sure you've heard the saying "......teach a man to fish......" .As opposed to giving him fish . It's very lame that your friends wish to do what they're are doing . You're correct I see the same people here too . They go because Africans dont have the opportunities Americans have , because they are ruthlessly ruled by Tyrants ? Yes they are but they really do'nt need to hear "The word of god. " They need democracy , education , and rights . Your friends cannot provide them these things .The U.S. as always just throws money at the problem (simply to look "good" in international eyes) .Out of pleasing a god , they wish to find the worst off and "save" them? Your thinking is correct .Their desire to do this is immature , impulsive and obviously not well planned or thought out and even selfish , so that great will be their reward on earth or heaven . At the expense of their little kids.

Answer 3

The Bible mandates that Christians preach the word to all of the earth. I don't personally have a heart for missions, but I support them wholeheartedly. Each person has a calling on their life. Some people are called to minister through music, through instructing children, through community outreach, and some are called to leave their comfort zone and go to places God directs.

I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to tell God that you have work here to do when He tells you to go someplace else. It's difficult to understand, but sometimes the path God puts us on is to help us learn just as much as it is to lead others.

Answer 4

The poverty and misery in Africa far exceeds anything we we in the US. But I'd have to question the wisdom of going to Africa with small children. There are a lot of volatile political situations and also a lot of health risks. I have friends who have lived in Africa (currently working for the State Department) and they say that everyone who lives there eventually gets malaria, because the antimalarial drugs do not work 100%. It is one thing to decide to risk your own life because of a belief in a cause, but quite another to make that decision for your children.

Answer 5

They assume that the starving and dying here have already accepted Christianity because it's the most populous religion in the U.S., so their souls are safe. There's no need to help them anymore. Plus, they don't want to acknowledge that none of them are trying to do anything, so they just have this big community of people ignoring the suffering in their own country to go try to convert people during their suffering in another one. It's kind of sickening when you think about it.

Answer 6

There's a church on every corner. The gospel is available constantly. A lot of people over seas have never heard of Jesus.
And they have a tendancy to respond as the little children Jesus asks us to, there aren't as many barriers to overcome. This attitude allows the Holy Ghost to flow. A lot of signs and wonders manifest in this setting. As far as the children, I understand your concern. But I also understand that if the Lord put them there, HE will sustain them. And they have Authority over the works of the devil, including sickness and disease. "If you would just believe," as Smith Wigglesworth used to say.

Answer 7

I never really thought of that before, but it's a good question. It might have something to do with people being "called" to a different location. Some people feel a special need/drive/love for people of other nations and races. It might bring certain people a sense of accomplishment to say that they are "missionaries." You do have a point though - people can be missionaries to their next door neighbors.

Answer 8

Westerners are usually educated, or at least have enough information with which they can make educated decisions about what they want from life and what they believe in. People's whose lives have been simple and who are starving will listen and believe what preachers say - why would people who come to feed them lie? It's an easy sell for folks who believe that there's only one way to heaven and that's through them and their religion.

Answer 9

There are a lot people preaching it here and very few over there, but it really just depends on what they feel God is calling them to do, they seem to feel that God wants them over ther ministering to people and not here

Answer 10

Because they are pagans and not Christians and must be shown the proper way so their souls are not condemned to eternal damnation.

(Religious arrogance is the biggest source of conflict and problems in the word today? Who are we to say what they believe is wrong or what we believe is right? Is there a GodsHousekeeping Seal of Approval on any religion?)