Why have our methods (not purpose) changed from when we first started ministry among the Hmong?
Our ministry “among the Hmong” has always been at the forefront of this ministry and Project 316 reflects that. The purpose of our ministry to the Hmong hasn't changed, but only the methods have. (This is extremely important to understand.) and actually what we have been able to accomplish through Project 316 is having a greater impact than if we continued on the same track that we first started on since working among the Hmong.
So what does that mean?
If you have already watched the Project 316 videos on our website and read "The story behind Project 316," you will quickly observe the impact that this project is having in the lives of many Hmong. There is nothing like this in the entire South East Asian Hmong community. Each audio player contain hundreds of hours of teachings from God’s Word. When an individual or family listens to the entire set of teachings they will have a solid foundation on which to build their faith. Every believer who listens and applies what they learned from the audio player will be well on their way to becoming “fully developed, authentic, evangelistic, disciples of Jesus Christ.” Essentially, the audio player becomes their own personal teacher. Therefore, our work is no longer confined to one or two villages working only with a limited number of people. Rather, it will spread throughout many villages all throughout Southeast Asia.
Because the audio players are only given to believers and because there are at least a few families in each village who are believers, they don’t necessarily need to have a missionary come and be physically present with them. (This obviously cannot be said in all circumstances and among all people groups.) The local body of Christ is already present and functioning in some capacity in most villages. What they need is teachings from the Word of God so that they can (1) grow in their faith, (2) function independently as a local fellowship and (3) be able to share the Gospel with others. As we have talked with many Hmong, this has always been one of the greatest needs in the lives of Hmong believers and so Project 316 will help fulfill this most urgent need.
Are there any other factors involved that have motivated you to engage in Project 316?
As you read through God's Word you will discover that we are in the “last days” (Hebrews 1:2) and the Lord can come back at any moment to call up all those who are true believers in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). We also read in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that the “day of the Lord” will come “like a thief in the night.” And, in addition to that, 1 Peter 4:7 says that the “end of all things is near.” Therefore, we want to make the most out of the time that God has given us.
One of the greatest benefits that the audio players also give us is the ability to reach those, who as non-believers, have to go through the seven year Tribulational period. Initially, there will be no believers left on Earth when the Rapture occurs, but the Gospel can still be heard because the audio players will be left behind as a witness. Since most of the Hmong can’t read, live in remote areas and don’t have access to any other technology, the audio players could, if they find one, become their only “life source.”
What is an evangelist?
There is some confusion today pertaining to what a biblical evangelist is. When we think of an evangelist today, many of us think of Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, or Dwight L. Moody to name a few. Most of us think an evangelist is someone who travels around the globe on evangelistic crusades. But is that the biblical definition? No, not really. A biblical evangelist is simply this: A man of God who (1) preaches the Gospel of Christ, (2) teaches new believers the foundational truths of the Bible and (3) trains them up in the core elements of the faith so that they will become fully developed, authentic, evangelistic, disciples of Jesus Christ. To often we think an evangelist is only responsible to preach/share the Gospel. That is certainly not wrong, but if that is all that an evangelist does, then he is not fully functioning as a biblical evangelist. For a more detailed look into this subject you can go to the "Valuable Resources" page and listen to the exegetical study on Ephesians 4:11-12.
What is a church planter and what is church planting?
First some background. If you were asked this question: "What is the church?" You will probably answer correctly: "The Church is made up of people who are believers in Jesus Christ." But if you were asked "Where is your church?" or "Describe your church to me," you will most likely get a different answer-something that has to do with properties, programs or personalities.
For the first few hundred years after the birth of the Church (in Acts 2), this would be a totally foreign concept to believers. However, over time with the creation of the Roman Catholic religion, the culture has redefined what the local church is and what it should look like. (Culture is not a bad thing, but it becomes a problem when the cultural behaviors and belief systems contradict the Biblical principles and guidelines found in Scripture.) The reality is, that we have let our culture redefine what many of the truths laid out in Scripture clearly promote and have either modified them, or in some cases, totally neglected them altogether.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9, the body of Christ, His church, is called "God's building," and in verses 16-17 "the temple of God." In Hebrews 3:6 believers are described as a "house" and in 1 Peter 2:5 "living stones." So, if believers are the building/temple how can we "go to church?" We can only get together and meet as the Church, but we can not say from a biblical standpoint, that we "go to church." Why, because the Church is made up of people. "Going to church" or "having church," means that the program is the Church. Also, saying "we just built a new church" indicates that the building is the Church, not the people. That mentality can make someone a religious person, but it doesn't change us internally, only externally. Only being and living as the Church will bring about change.
Now, this is just the "tip of the iceberg" as some would say. (For more check out the "Biblically Rethinking the Church" study.)
So, what is a church planter and what is church planting?
The phrases "church planter" or "church planting" can be a little misleading if not understood properly. (Which is why we needed to do the short study above.) These phrases are not found anywhere in Scripture. Only in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 do we see the concept of planting. Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." As we can see from this verse and the context surrounding it, this is where we have gotten the idea of what a "church planter" is. So, calling Paul and Apollos "church planters" is certainly acceptable. But it has become a problem because of our understanding of what the popular concept of the "church" is. However, once you understand how the word "church" is used in the biblical sense and that Scripture clearly indicates that it has nothing to do with properties, programs, and personalities, then it becomes easier to properly define what a biblical "church planter" is and what he does. (An interesting side note: In the Hmong translation of the Bible the word "church" is always translated as "believers.")
Paul was simply using a metaphor when he said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow." Within the context of the surrounding verses we can see that Paul and Apollos' ministry was to (1) preach the Gospel of Christ, (2) teach new believers the foundational truths of the Bible and (3) train them up in the core elements of the faith so that they will become fully developed, authentic, evangelistic, disciples of Jesus Christ. To get right to the point, a "church planter" is an evangelist, plain and simple.
However, what a church planter/evangelist is not, is that they are not pastors/shepherds. Although the role of church planters/evangelists and pastors/shepherds overlap, there are distinctions. For example, a pastor/shepherd is primarily responsible to provide oversight and teach believers over the long term. And they were not sent out like a church planter/evangelist was. A church planter/evangelist was short-term and primarily worked with new believers. We can also conclude that they were used to equip local believers in regard to ministering in the same way as a church planter/evangelist would. Even though a believer may not be called to be a church planter/evangelist, all believers are to be involved in church planting/evangelistic works. Ephesians 4:12-16 says that church planters/evangelists and pastor/shepherds, are given to the body of Christ..."12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." So, all believers should be involved "in ministry" even if they are not specifically called to be a church planter/evangelist or a pastor/shepherd. Ministry is nothing more than helping someone draw closer to God.
It should also be noted that biblically speaking, the purpose of church planting is not to establish organized religion!
I hope that this short explanation brought some clarity and has helped you in your thinking about these things. Again, if you want a more detailed study please go to the "Valuable Resources" page and listen to the exegetical study on Ephesians 4:11-12.