Eat your Bibles

Volume 3 1987

Over 100 wars are raging in 40 different countries of the world today. The Bible is a forbidden book — banned in over 80 coun tries. But, as Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen.” Luke 21:9.

What is disturbing is how the Church all too often retreats from the war zones. It is true that many missionaries have been killed by Communist or Muslim terrorists or regimes, but it is a disgrace that we forsake vast parts of the world to Satan and witchcraft, atheism and false religion.

It is expected of soldiers to heroically risk their lives to defend their country, yet it is considered foolish for missionaries to risk their lives for God’s honour by serving in the war zones. It is the duty of a fireman to run into a burning building to rescue trapped people from the flames, but for a Christian to enter a communist country to assist persecuted Christians is called foolhardy. Why is it brave for a man to jump into a fast- flowing river to save a drowning person but stupid for a believer to smuggle Bibles into a country which forbids the Gospel?

When Jesus said: “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples,” He never said that we were to stop at the iron curtain or at the barbed wire fence.

For this reason field workers and missionaries of Frontline Fellowship have been riding by motorbike deep into the war zones of Mozambique, walking or swimming into Angola, crawling through barbed wire fences and mine fields, flying at tree-top level, below radar in areas endangered by Soviet RPG’s and SAM missiles. We have driven thousands of kilometres on dirt roads in landmine-endangered areas and some of our members have endured mortar and rocket bombardments, been shot at, ambushed and arrested in some of the most dangerous war zones of Southern Africa.

We are motivated by love for our Great God and living Saviour Jesus. We want to honour God and bring glory to Christ by being willing to risk our lives for Him. We want to plant the cross of Christ in the war zones of Africa, where the huts and churches and Bibles are burning, where the blood is flowing and where people are suffering. It is in those situations that we, as soldiers for Christ, wantto boldly stand up for Jesus, proclaim the Gospel and call people back to God.

Using Christian films and Gospel literature, we have personally confronted Russians, Cubans and East Germans, ZANU and ZAPU terrorists, FRELIMO (FPLM) and MPLA (FAPLA) soldiers and SWAPO, ANC, PAC and PLO terrorists with the Gospel. We have also undertaken extensive evangelism and Bible-distribution work amongst UNITA and RENAMO anti-communist guerillas fighting in Angola and Mozambique.

Most gratifying of all have been the wonderful responses which we have received from persecuted churches which we have visited. I have seen Christians, who have walked 30km and more, barefoot, through war zones to hear the Gospel, fall on their knees before God — crying with joy — holding the precious World of God and saying “Not since the communists burnt my Bible 8 years ago have I had my own Bible!” “You are our first visitor since the revolution.” “Day and night I have prayed for a Bible for 5 years.” ‘You have given me the greatest gift possible — God’s Word in my own language.” “Now we know that God has heard our prayers. Your visit proves that we are not alone.”

To carry out our mission of distributing Bibles in communist lands and evangelising in war-torn areas, we make use of both full-time missionaries and part-time field workers and couriers, both men and women. We draw our volunteers mainly from amongst Christians with a military background. In Frontline Fellowship we have had men who have fought in the S.A. Recces (Reconnaissance Commando), Rhodesian S.A.S., R.L.I. and Selous Scouts, Australian Special Forces, British Parachute Battalion, S.A. Parabats, Infantry, British S.A.S. and other combat units. Some of our members have seen action in South East Asia, Northern Ireland, Mozambique, Rhodesia, Zambia, South West Africa and Angola.

We are united in our dedication to Jesus Christ, whose name we want to honour in the war zones. We do this by regularly challenging thousands of soldiers with clear and uncompromising Bible teaching and with sacrificial lifestyles, by establishing prayer and Bible study groups in military bases and by visiting and helping those Christians suffering from communist persecution.

“They attack like warriors
they climb the walls like soldiers.
They all keep marching straight ahead and
do not change direction
or get in each others’ way.
They swarm through defences,
and nothing can stop them...
The Lord thunders commands to His
Army. -
The troops that obey Him are many
and mighty.”
Joel 2:7-11

Are you part of the Lord’s Army? Are you one of the troops that obey Him? Do you want to see this evil, rebellious world reconquered for Christ — brought back to a new Reformation? If so, write to us. Frontline Fellowship can train and use dedicated Christians to:

“Fight the good fight of faith.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“As a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3