EDITORIAL: Communicating the Gospel in the Globalized World

Timothy K. Park, Editor

The rapid development of technology is one of the factors that has turned the world we live into a global village. Today, any kind of information may be obtained through the internet, and communicating through smartphone and internet is easy anytime, anywhere. Unlike today, in the first century, the gospel was communicated mainly by word of mouth and through letters. Most often through personal meetings. Today, the gospel is also shared by other means such as art, music, and movies, both directly and through the internet. In the 53rd issue of Asian Missions Advance, different methods of communicating the gospel are introduced. We are grateful to our featured contributors by sharing with us their unique experiences and knowledge in using their mission methods in their ministries.

Dr. Daniel J. Kim, in his article ‘Creative Arts as Cultural Bridge to Global Mission’, proposes a missiological strategy using creative arts as a cultural bridge to global mission. He says that “art needs to be understood as God-ordained means of global mission in terms of evangelism, cross cultural ministry and worship.” (p. 10) Dr. Dianne Marshall, in her article ‘Making Sense of Good & Evil: HIV & AIDS in Focus’, deals with issues perpetuating barriers to the gospel in communities where Christ is least known. She says, “A renewed theological and missiological understanding here will enable us to make more sense of our broken world.” (p. 13)

Dr. Yon-Soo Kim, in his article ‘Bible Storytelling Ministry and Globalization in Mission’, asks his readers to seriously consider the use of storytelling in communicating the gospel. He points out that “Seventy five percent of the unreached people are those who are accustomed to communicate with each other orally, that is, they are oral people.” (p. 19) Dr. John Edmiston, in his article ‘Cyber Missions and the Unreached’, reminds us that “The digital pathway is much easier for the unreached enquirer. It is instant, it is always available, it can be hidden… (albeit with some effort)” (p. 24)

Finally, Rev. Ram Prasad Shrestha reports that Christianity in Nepal is very young compared to other South Asian countries, yet church growth is on the high and “Nepal has one of the fastest-growing Christian population in the world.” (p. 29) I praise God for what he has been doing together with His people in Nepal.

I believe that readers will better understand the globalized world and find wisdom for how to communicate the gospel more effectively by reading the articles in this issue. “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.” (Ps. 67:3).