Europe 1

                             EXCITING CHRISTIAN CHRONICLES POSSIBILITIES IN EUROPE
                                                     John Paul and Ruby Lee Hundley
                                                            LA VIE SPIRITUELLE
                                                         (THE SPIRITUEL LIFE)
                                                           www.catechese.com

Much has been written about evangelizing Europe in the Christian Chronicle from 1945 until the present. So many good people have given much and poured out good portions of their lives for the sake of Christ for this effort. All kinds of creative efforts have been made from campaigns, door to door distribution, Christian Chronicle teams full of hope, energy, and great faith. But, during this first fifty years the energy of youth, the hope, and in some cases even the faith gradually faded. Of all things, someone is writing a doctorial thesis on reintregrating missionaries into US culture, restoring their faith, and even touches on stories of abuse at the hands of other missionaries. How can this be from people who are often portrayed as the holiest of brethren? We are no longer Christians who Chronicle. I would refer you to the case of Africa, the glamor mission field, but for the first fifty years nothing much happened. Some good people even lost their lives in the efforts. Then, in God's time things began to change. That seems to be the way God works in our time and if we are wise we will discern it and put the lessons into practice. Now is the time. In considering Europe, consider the typical American Suburb; well educated, pragmatic, very materialistic. I don't see evangelistic efforts there setting the woods on fire. From the statistics gathers among us we seem to have had 2% declines in membership in some years. Nevertheless, I don't hear any calls to pull out our efforts there. We instead concentrate our best preachers there. It is very similar to Europe. The Christians continue to Chronicle.

With the exciting possibilities with low cost world wide communications, and the internet we believe now is the time to be the true Christian Chronicle Missionary. I am amazed at the number of young ministers who scoff at the idea of internet marketing. It is true you don't get the same rush as from a well delivered well received sermon, but consider this. After three years work we now hold the #1 position with google search engine for our page, Origine de la Bible. But we were told so many times by discouraged missionaries that the French were not interested in the Bible. Well, we get around 2000 hits a month from searching souls who say otherwise. One of the most searched French words is catéchèse, so we put up Catéchèse de Dieu (Teaching of God). We held the number one position for a long time and then here came someone with, La Catéchèse de Dieu. It turned out it was the Pope Jean Paul. They moved me to second position, but I got back #1 after his death. My name is Jean Paul too.

For my visitors I offer selected books free for download in return of their e-mail address and agreement to receive our monthly teaching bulletin. We have given away 300 copies of Le Dessein de Dieu (The Plan of God) in return for their opt-in. We don't want to spam anyone. I am now doing Max Daunner's commentary on Revelation . There were many books written by our brethren in the 60's and mid 70's that never got read because of the enormous printing and shipping cost. Computers didn't exist then. Good efforts were made but they never got the distribution because of lack of funds. Remember the old joke of the missionary being called home because of building the parking lot?
Now you don't have to worry about the parking lot. All these books are distributed free with only our own efforts and low cost equipment.

The Pragmatic, including my own relatives, now say; Ah, Ha! Now you can come home to the land of the big shopping malls and live happily ever after close to your family and friends and live the good life while you do your work on the internet. Not So! We would then cease to to be the Christian Chronicle Missionary.We have spent the last four years building contacts and our mailing list on the web and I have the reputation of Jean Paul de Marseille. Some have even asked me if I am the Pope publishing, The Teaching of God. I wouldn't have quite the same effect from Arkansas, Oklahoma or Texas. We have to seriously consider the Japanese question to missionaries, “Will you bury your bones here?” Will you die here with us? Don't expect to have a quickie tour and evangelize Europe then a good career back home in an Ivory Tower as an expert. That is not the Christian Chronicle Missionary.

So where is all this leading? What results do we expext? It hasn't worked out to build a string of congregations of churches of Christ throughout the country, so we have to look closely at the past to see what the future might hold. In the Restoration Movement in America we see that they began in other churches with a search for truth. Some of the pioneers seemed to have stayed where they were, helping many with their struggle for truth. They became Christian Chronocle Missionaries.
Here in France we do have at least three strong churches although they are not considered strong by some missionaries. They really are strong, though. In one case they have purchased their own building and the men meet regularly to make decisions. In another they have made one attempt to elect elders and they are expected to succeed on the next try. In a third the men regularly oversee the native preacher trained in the US. That is good news! They are Christian Chronicle Missionaries.So, why the long faces about Europe? Things are going great right on God's schedule.

The exciting future that God is unfolding is what turns us on as Christian Chronicle Missionaries. Do you know that some 10,000 Catholiques a year are immersed for the remission of sins upon the confession that Jesus is the Son of God. The average age of priests is around 70 with few or none in training. In some cases now when the priest dies off the men are taking over and serving the Lord's supper. They don't use instruments in many cases. If we can live here and teach by internet and in person because of our influence we have built up, there are great possibilities. We must not fear to visit with these people when we can and speak if invited. Certainly don't attack them. Great things can happen if we but believe in the power of God and use a little wisdom and discernment that He has given us over the years. We can be Christian Chronicle Missionaries.

Who can do this work? We are 68 and 73 years old retired teachers and business people. We did serve 15 years in full time preaching and as missionaries long, long ago. Our later years have been filled with running an Insurance District, our own Real Estate business, and teaching. Anyone retired or with pension of some sort could do this specialized work. Just being here and showing you care about them will go a long way. Good Bible knowledge, level headed, and average learning ability will enable you to get into language that you will have to speak You will have to ignore the perfectionists and nay sayers and believe you can do it. After three months you can access the best medical care in the world. I made a side trip through Chemo last year and learned a lot of medical words I didn't really want to know. But the words do help me in my ministry to the sick now. God will provide. You could be a part of an exciting restoration movement the likes of which haven't been seen in this world for many years. Where will you bury your bones?

John Paul and Ruby Lee Hundley                          Serving Under the Oversight of
6 Avenue Général Grossetti                                   Elders, Westark Church of Christ
13007 Marseille, France                                         Fort Smith, Arkansas
www.catechese.com