How long does it take to see maturity in a fledgling tribal church? For the Piapoco tribal people it took years of sacrifice, intentional, systematic teaching of the Word of God in the heart language of the people and missionaries who prevailed through personal sacrifice and socio-revolutionary upheaval in the country where they served. Wayne and Patsy Gibson began their study of the Piapoco language and culture over 34 years ago. When revolutionaries made them leave, they moved to another area of the Piapoco nation, and a few years later moved again, and again.
Forced to build new relationships in each location, the Gibson’s never lost their passion to learn and understand the Piapoco language and way of life. They shared their love of Christ, taught the Word and modeled the Gospel of grace. Over the years, key tribal believers became their partners and co-missionaries. These Piapoco families took the teaching to areas where the Gibson’s could not go.
Today, they are the mature church, reaching out to locations that still need the solid meat of the Word. This year, with Wayne and Patsy’s support and expertise, some of these key tribal men will revise the Piapoco New Testament translation, while they continue to nurture maturity in the tribal church.
Macon and photographer, Dale Stroud were blessed to accompany Wayne Gibson back to the area where he began his missionary service. Their goal: to photograph the mature tribal church.
Observing the respect and gratitude with which Wayne was greeted, Macon responded, “I am amazed by the hunger these believers have for the Word of God, and awed by their passion to take the gospel beyond their borders; a testimony of this missionary’s faithfulness to communicate God’s heart for the lost!”
Thank you for praying for Macon, for safety and for wisdom. Your prayers were answered. Thank you for the part you have in God’s work.
Home for a few months, Macon and Dale plan to return to photograph other tribal peoples in various stages of church growth, from evangelizing and laying the Biblical foundations to planting churches. You will see this and more in the pages of the magazine, NTM@work and on the NTM website of what God is doing among tribal cultures all over the world.
What happens when you plant a solid church? It grows, it digs deep roots, it spreads its branches, and it produces other Churches.
Check out the online issue of NTM@Work!
…. Pass it on. Macon and Katy Hare