April 13, 2020
The Next Language 19 — An Easter Like no Other
This is an Easter like no other in history. The global shutdown and quarantine have led to a universal awareness of the power of deadly organisms and their widespread consequences. We are likely to come out of this with a “new normal” that will affect how we do things both as nations and cultures – and also as a mission.
Of course, another event over 2000 years ago made changes to an even greater degree. Christ coming out of the grave created a new era and even changed the calendar. It opened the door to new avenues for God’s redemptive process and propagation.
Focus changed from a religion exclusive to a
single nation with a limited geographic scope to a faith for all nations, to the ends of the earth. From the letter of the law to the Person who fulfilled that law to perfection. From a temple of inanimate stones to alive “temples of the Holy Spirit.” From dead sacrifices to living sacrifices and from endless repetitive ceremony to the once-for-all finished work of Christ. From the fatiguing efforts of “works” to the new Sabbath “rest.” This list could go on and on.
Is it coincidence that playing out in this same Easter timeline, Global Recordings is going through a complete redefinition? There has been confusion, even opposition, and many growing pains, but we have come to a new sense of unity and purpose. We are moving from California to Arizona. We are moving from being a landowner to partnering with Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) Mexico as a leaseholder.
In the middle of all this we have been “assisted” by both state and federal authorities to transition to physically working from home instead of in a corporate office. Is the Lord purposely giving us a lighter footprint with feet ready to go and take the Good News everywhere?
We have been primarily archiving and digitizing and broadcasting gospel messages in over 6500 languages, but now are re-focusing on the more than 3000 languages that have still not had the first word of the Gospel. We are feeling our way toward partner relationships in reaching those languages.
and are very thankful to join with other missions focusing on audio outreach to the very least reached of the world’s ethnic groups.
Pray with us as we emerge from a realm of isolation and relative paralysis:
- May we be very sensitive to the new ways into which God is leading us.
- May our eyes be open to see what (at this point at least) may be missing from our ability to finish the task.
- May the realization that God cares enough to resurrect GRNUSA be nearly as revolutionary to our own lives as the realization of the resurrection of Christ was to those defeated and unbelieving disciples in the first century.
Lord, may we follow faithfully in the footsteps of the first disciples. Although initially isolated and paralyzed, they were later empowered as messengers of a gospel that was to cross all barriers and reach every tribe and language in relevant ways.
God Bless,
Larry DeVilbiss | Executive Director
Global Recordings Network USA
P. S. As a “thank you” for your continued support of the ministry of Global Recordings Network USA, and in celebration of over 80 years of God’s faithfulness, we have compiled a collection of 80 daily devotions written by GRN founder, Joy Ridderhof. You may read or download your copy of Rejoice Always – 80 Devotions with Joy Ridderhof here.