Institute for Global Opportunities

In February of this year, my family and I were privileged to be able to travel to Thailand. It was a new experience for us to be in that part of the world. We came home with many impressions and thoughts regarding the spiritual needs there.

I was impressed with the urgent needs for evangelism among the Thai people. Approximately 98 percent of the Thai people follow the Buddhist faith. Among the tribal people there are real needs for teaching and discipleship.

Some of you may know what these two mission organizations are and what they are doing. Others may be wondering what they are all about. Global Tribes Outreach, or GTO, has been in operation for approximately eight years. The goal of GTO is to spread the Gospel to as many unreached people groups as possible before the return of our Lord.

One question that our missionaries wrestle with today involves the nature and degree of interaction with the contemporary cross-breed of Anabaptism and traditional Protestantism called Evangelicalism. Evangelicalism has tended to embrace the Reformation theology of salvation, while simultaneously holding the Anabaptist theology of the free church. This provides a gospel based on intellectualized faith in a forensic righteousness, with freedom to pick and choose the church that best suits your interests. Discipleship becomes arbitrary and optional.