Packing up to leave Singapore. Headed for Malaysia. Have been thinking about what we’ve seen here the past several days. Was looking over some pics I took and I think I found two that tell a story.
What the people of Singapore have done with God-given ingenuity– On one hand, Singapore’s cutting edge technologies, land development (1/3 of island has been dredged from the ocean), efficiency of transportation in a densely populated city-state, and ever-present building and reconstruction–are a tribute to the health of a multi-ethnic society and visionary leadership. Construction and renovation of what seems like an endless stream of high-rise buildings, and upgraded public transport signal an unusually strong economy– for a country with so few natural resources– other than its people.
What God has done with the people of Singapore–Because of the strong Christian community that is here, our international teams in 34 countries are served by the Singapore-based leadership of Albert Lee, his staff, and a small army of volunteers. Under Albert’s leadership, our international teams work interdependently not only with one another– but also with our RBC headquarters in the States.
For many years, our international distribution of devotional, Bible study, printed, and electronic resources were heavily subsidized by the US. But Albert and his regional directors have been developing strategic distribution networks with 34 offices around the world that have a vision for being self-supported by the members of each region.
Albert’s approach (he’s pictured here with ministry partner Joe Stowell) is that, in Christ, we all have needs, and we all have something to give/offer. Sounds a lot like Paul’s letter to the Corinthians when he wrote, “What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary” (1Cor 12:19-22).
I’ve seen representatives from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Nigeria, South Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, (and others who don’t come to mind) working together like family– with a shared mission of making the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.
But does it really make sense for me to talk about what God has done here? Well here’s why I say that. Just as DuPont or Nike will never be able to create that living yellow flower rising to meet the rising sun– the New Testament tells us that no one can call “Christ Lord” (i.e. no one can do that from the heart, and mean it) without the grace of the Spirit of God working in them (1Cor 12:3). And the co-workers that I’ve been describing above– both Albert and the team of internationals we’ve been meeting with– are bound together– across racial, cultural, and national boundaries– by a deep and thoughtful confession that, yes, Christ has risen from the dead– and he is Lord… of lords.
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