Editor’s note: Because of the sensitivities surrounding the writer’s Islamic homeland, his identity is being withheld for his safety.
ST. LOUIS — Everyone I know has a hero or heroes. In my case, I have been very blessed that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is my ultimate Hero, has been surrounding me with plenty of heroes.
All of my heroes are real and ordinary people. They talk to me in person. They pray together with me. They believe in God’s calling in my life. In fact, my definition of a hero is a real and an ordinary person of God who gives his all to Him, who is used by the Holy Spirit to direct others to the direction of the ultimate hero, the Lord Jesus. They showed me that the Gospel is the best thing that America has to offer to the International such as myself. Through their love of the Lord, they showed me that sharing the Gospel and planting churches for God’s glory are the causes worth dying for.
Knowing American values
As a graduate of American higher-educational institutions, I belong to an elite group of people called the “American Graduate Club” in my native country. As a part of this prestigious club, I am always invited to its gathering every time I visit my native country. Due to my humanitarian contribution to my native country and my residency status in the USA, every time I attend the gathering, I have always been treated like a “celebrity” by the people.
For the purpose of networking, I always try to attend those gatherings every time I am in my native country. However, those gatherings have never failed to break my heart. Most of the times I have gone I have always been disappointed.
Let me share with you an occasion. I remember entering a big, luxurious house. I remember overhearing a heated conversation among several “skimpily-dressed” ladies about who had been attending the most wild spring break parties while they were students in the USA. I remember listening to a guy presenting his idea of making a good living by maximizing the wealth of his family business at the expense of the poor people of their own country.
Having had enough of that nonsense, I said to myself on my way back home: “What an embarrassment. Those people are badly misrepresenting America. No wonder that most people in my native village picture America as a bad place.” I remember thinking that something was very wrong with that for I know that America is not a bad place. I know that America is not about wild spring parties and greed.
Don’t be shortchanged
I believe that America’s greatest asset is its Judeo-Christian values. For me that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe that any Internationals who have been part of this great country, either as professional workers or students, who have never been exposed to the Gospel while they are here, are being cheated by the system of the best thing that America can offer to them. I am saying that these Internationals are being shortchanged.
When I was being ministered to with the Gospel, I was told the believers of Jesus are the stewards of the Gospel. Believers are charged by Jesus to share His Gospel. Only people who have been saved by the grace of God through their faith in Jesus can administer the Gospel to the non-believer. That is what I was told.
Dare to be a hero
Everyone needs a hero who will point him or her to the ultimate Hero who can give him or her eternal life. Most Internationals need these kinds of heroes for they have never been exposed to the Gospel. I know, for I was one of them. I believe that if you know Jesus, then you can be one of these heroes.
The Bible commands us to teach all nations. Have you noticed that the nations are coming here? For the Lord is ordering us to go to teach all nations. Go to them as they come here! Be a hero!
ALEX (MBC church planter)