(sola)s hattiesburg

Since last Thursday night, a lot of people have been asking me about the Khampa people group.  As a result, I would like to share with you some of the information that I have found concerning these people.

The first thing that you need to know about this people group is that they are the epitome of “unreached.”  There are just under 250,000 of the Khampa in central Tibet and according to the Joshua Project, they are 0.01% Christian. If you calculate those numbers, you will find that out of just under 250,000 people, 200 of them claim to be Christian.  Assuming that those 200 really do understand the gospel of grace through faith, approximately 248,800 Khampa are destined to an eternal hell.

Consequently, these people desperately need gospel workers.  However, this task is not going to be easy.  These people are renowned for their sorcery.   Many monks in their religion are able to conjure physical manifestations of demons in front of them. It is recorded that some of the “strongest” monks have been able to appear in different wide-spread locations in the same day, meaning that they have been able to teleport themselves from one area to another.  The Khampa worship Yoma, the Buddhist “god of death”, believing that he is the ruler of the underworld, so it is no surprise that they have these supernatural manifestations.

Additionally, they live at 17,000 feet above sea level therefore an American would have to be extremely careful if they were to attempt to minister to them because of the change of oxygen levels that they would encounter.  Not only that, these people are known for being militant to anyone who tries to approach their settlements.

One of the biggest hinderances to the gospel in the context on unreached peoples are language barriers.  Probably the most encouraging attribute of the Khampa is that they only have two dialects.  So if one were able to get into Tibet (which is illegal), hike 17,000 feet above sea level, through some of the most treacherous mountains in the world, have confidence to deal authoritatively with demon manifestations and be accepted by the community, it would be relatively easy to communicate with them on a large scale.

This seems like an impossible task.  However, as we have said before, Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and if He wills for you to reach the Khampa, no government, or geography, or atmosphere, or elemental spirits, or language barrier will thwart His plan!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Crucifixion, Salvation, and the Glory of God

Led by David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills

April 22, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight (doors open at 5:00 p.m.)

In the Refuge student worship center

Cost: $7.00

You can purchase tickets from the Youth and College Ministry Department or from the main desk at Temple Baptist Church. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket or bringing a group, please contact us at lgibbons@tbclife.net or 601.450.3065

What is Secret Church? (click below)

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So we just finished an exhausting and fun weekend of Disciple Now + Student Life Conference here at Temple.  As a middle/high school student, these type of events had a major impact in my spiritual development.  I vividly remember going to my first Student Life Conference as a ninth grader.  Louie Giglio was the speaker and he talked about worship – about how all of life is worship of something.  Disciple Now’s were a means of God’s grace in my life as well.  I was pushed and challenged so much through these weekends by getting to spend time with an older, “cooler” guy and observing how he was walking with God and growing in the faith.

Now that I’m on the other side of things, acting as a leader, it’s heavy to think about the impact that I could potentially have on a student’s life.  God is obviously the one who works in the hearts of students, but he did so in my life many times through D-Now leaders.  I hope and pray that God spoke through me and the other leaders this past weekend.  

The theme of the weekend was Live Love, and to all of you who gave your weekend away hanging with students or helping with the conference you did just that.  You lived love.  Thank you.  You’ll never fully know how God chose to use you, despite your inadequacies, for His amazing plans and for His glory.

Starting this Thursday, (sola)s gatherings will be in the Activities Center.  The AC is located on the same premises as the East Campus in the corner of the parking lot.  I hope everyone makes it to (sola)s this week as we take a look at the idea of the cross being our means of forgiveness and righteousness.