While recently scrolling through my wall on my most heavily used social media account, I came across this article from the International Mission Board.

https://www.imb.org/2018/04/02/salvation-bracelets-africa-no-thanks/

The article quickly grabbed my attention as I have used this evangelism tool myself while on missions trips and even in US settings.

Intrigued with the idea that this simple (and what I saw as effective) teaching was not as I saw it; I continued reading. It reminded me my trip to a Ho Chi Minh orphanage. I arrived with songs, my ipad games and a bag full of nail polish knowing that I would bless the children that day. My ideas were quickly re-directed as I learned that the the children did not play video games and that nail polish was a sign of a possible prostitution life style. As you an imagine, I quickly returned my items to my bag and watched the kids sing the songs they had learned in their native language.

One thing I have learned over time in other countries is that what works in American is not necessarily the answer for other parts of the world. I have also learned that what worked when I started in education over 20 years ago, does not necessarily work now. What worked with last year’s class, is not ideal for this year’s class. As many teachers would agree, even what worked yesterday may not work today.

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This truth is not often argued by those in the field of education. We have spent years trying new strategies, re-writing curriculum, and launching new programs. Some of these work and are effective teaching strategies. Others are not and there are many reasons that play into why they do not succeed.

Since reading this article about the ineffectiveness of the salvation bracelet in certain parts of the world, I have started wondering how often we use other tools that are not as effective as they seem they might be at first sight.

How well do we know our “crowd”, our “students”, our “people”? Are we meeting them were they are or are we expecting them to join us where we are? Our students live in a very different culture than when we were young. Are we learning about their world to better understand how they view the content we share with them?

An even more challenging thought- are we offering a faith as only we understand it? Do I offer God only from the perspective of a 45 year old? Do I teach God only from an intellectual perspective? Do I offer salvation that does not make sense in the world of the receiver?

Do not get me wrong. It is important to “learn” who God is. It is important to hear others speak of how God worked in their lives, but I also know the importance of connecting. If I want to share my Savior with those around me, I can not expect them to meet me where I am. I must join them where they are and learn how God and His love looks in their story. Yes, this is more work. Yes, this takes more time. Yes, this will be uncomfortable for me. Yes, I am called to do it.

Who are you called to “meet” today? Please do not wait for them to arrive into your situation. Work to understand where they are and meet them there- across the world or across the hall. Do not wait.