Spreading the Good News

As the American plains were being settled in the often volatile 19^th century, homes often were separated by vast stretches of land. Without modern means of communication, these distances created enormous obstacles for social interaction as well as protection and other practical needs.

The situation also presented challenges in ministering to the spiritual needs of these people. But God began to raise up men who were willing to dedicate themselves completely to this often thankless assignment.

In his history of the America frontier, author Everett Dick described the life of J.A. Mattern, one of these brave prairie pastors. In the 1870s, he was assigned to Medicine Lodge, a relatively isolated community in southern Kansas. There, Mattern found only a few Christians. The people were poor, but he felt that they needed a church building where they could meet. So Mattern threw himself into the task.

It was tough work. A kiln was set up to fabricate bricks in order to make the walls. Mattern “made a full hand, shoveling the clay into the mixing machine, piling the brick into the kiln, helping to keep up the fires at night.” Even though he worked all week, he continued to preach on Sundays. Because of his humility and dedication, he won “many friends among the rough frontiersmen.” And the Gospel was proclaimed.

Today, there continue to be many obstacles to bringing the Gospel to the world. God looks for people who will commit themselves and their resources to this task. People who, like J.A. Mattern and the 1^st century believers, are committed to see the Gospel “preached everywhere.”

Ask God to show you what you can do to bring salvation to the nations. Pray for revival. Dedicate yourself and your resources to God and His Kingdom.