The 10/40 Window is a rectangle on the globe from the 10th to the 40th Northern Latitudes from China to West Africa. It is here that 2 Billion of the worlds unreached peoples live. They have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and New Life that He brings to those who place their faith in Him. These are mostly Muslim Countries, Communist Countries or Buddhist
Countries, with a smattering of Hindu’s here and there.
In most of these countries it is either illegal to be a Christian or it is persecuted regardless of any “freedom of religion” statement made by the government. As a result, these leaders find themselves in the delicate situation of expressing and sharing their faith where the cost may be severe. It may even cost their freedom, torture, or their very lives.
It is because of this cross that they bear that makes their faith so powerful and real. Prayer is often not a luxury, but a necessity for survival.
Their understanding of Jesus two great commands;
- To Love others has He loved them &
- To spread the Gospel into all the regions of their country demonstrates their tremendous love for God and His Glory.
It was a humbling experience to be in their presence. Some 3,000 people gathered to share, pray and inspire one another. Just to be in their midst was a great honor.
In order to get a sense of what some of them go through let me recommend a book to you. Joseph Kim is the author of Under the Same Sky: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). His story of being stripped of the love of his family and left as a child begging in the streets of North Korea is eye opening. Then he tells of the miracles that God did in his life (even before he knew about God) miracles that eventually led him through China, South Korea and eventually into the United States where he was to meet His Savior, our Lord Jesus.
More than anything, my time in Korea was a confirmation of my hearts’ desire. I truly believe that God is opening doors for us in the 10/40 window where we will be able to join these saints in fulfilling the great commission, completing the task that Jesus has given to us at Pathway. Once that task is completed, then the door will be open for the return of Christ, the resurrection of the saints and the ushering in of His great Kingdom.
