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Increasing restrictions in targeted countries
by Justin D. Long
In 1990 there were 119 countries that restricted access to foreign missions, 43 of which were completely closed. Though the numbers have changed a little since then (thanks to the opening of the Soviet Union), most of these countries still restrict missionary access to one degree or another.
As pointed out in the scenario above, it's not just the harassment and persecution issues that cause problems. Simply finding ways in which to spread the Gospel can tax one's creativity and imagination. Ministry options in these countries range from the "standard" to the "infamous." Following are a few case studies of methods that have been used.
Bible smuggling. Plenty of agencies are known for their work "smuggling" Bibles into countries. Smuggling techniques range from loading boxes of Bibles into cars to carrying them inside clothing. If caught, smuggled Bibles are often confiscated. Smugglers may be permitted to enter, or may be denied entrance (though Westerners seldom face worse consequences).
Pre-evangelistic work. Medical relief, community development, and similar ministries can all be used to meet felt needs within a community while being "pre-evangelistic": taking the opportunity to share light "semi-evangelistic" messages which will acquaint hearers with Christian concepts without being overtly evangelistic.
Broadcasting. One of the easiest methods of evangelizing a closed country is to beam Christian broadcasting into it. Broadcasts that can be picked up via radio, television or satellite are all common. The hard part, especially in poorer countries, is making certain people are actually listening to the broadcasts. However, despite this difficulty, there has been phenomenal success, particularly in the establishment of "radio churches" whose sole source of teaching is broadcasting.
Videos. The "Jesus" film is widely known as a film production shown by film teams, in theaters or on television. However, in its video form it is easily copied and distributed in targeted nations. In some regions of the world, fascination with Western things leads to rampant video piracy-the wholesale duplication of any video likely to be remotely interesting-which can lead to a unique distribution network for Christian videotapes.
Indigenous missions. Another technique is to find a convert from the country in another, more open area of the world, train him or her, and send them into the closed country, where they can operate without as much notice as a Westerner. This technique avoids the problems Westerners face (contextualization, adjusting to new cultures, language learning, etc), but faces the problem that indigenous missionaries are likely to be treated more severely than Westerners.
Student/expatriate ministries. In the same vein, it may be possible to identify students or expatriate communities (refugees, businessmen and the like) living outside the country and approach them with the Gospel, then send them back into the country as evangelists.
Non-residential missionaries. The NRM approach avoids the difficulty of living in a closed country "under cover." The non-residential missionary resides in another country (sometimes nearby, sometimes not) and visits the country on a regular basis, helping to identify new "ministry options" which can impact the NRM's target people group. This method faces the expense of travel and the possibility of discovery but nevertheless has been used very effectively, particularly to galvanize action around specific unevangelized peoples.
When countries close, they make it harder and harder to spread the Gospel to remote peoples within their borders. Nomadic peoples that once were difficult enough to reach due to logistical burdens now become further walled off by bureacracy and government restrictions.
Restricted-access countries demand more creativity, more finances, and more commitment to the field. Although the trials and tribulations may daunt us, in the long-term they can strengthen the overall missions effort if we embrace them and seek to answer them with the innovation of the Creator.20
Every missionary working in these areas needs to identify ministry options which are viable and can have a profound impact on the unevangelized world. Mission agencies ought to consider convening a work group which can spend its time researching similar options and exploring possibilities with on-field workers.