Brother Andrew inspires a new generation to GO with the Gospel

After spending some time at Soul Survivor listening to Brother Andrew this summer I was forced to reflect on a lot of things. They jested about his age - a man of 78 years speaking at a youth event. Yet 11,000 people were held rapt by what this 'old' man was saying.

Does anyone have the right and authority to speak into the situation in the Middle East or offer a solution to terrorism? Well, if anyone does, Brother Andrew is certainly in the running. A man who has personally shared the Gospel with leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah surely has to be able to offer some insight.

"Terrorists!? When I see them I see people for whom my Jesus died. Period." The onus then is on us - to share Jesus with everyone, there is no-one who is unreachable with the love of Christ - He died for all. It breaks down the 'them and us' attitude and the cultural mindset that Islam is the enemy and empowers us as Christians to get out there and share what we've got - which is Christ.

The real challenge was issued as Brother Andrew spoke about how people become terrorists. "Terrorist. I hate that word. Terrorists aren't born - they're made." Referring to Psalm 142:4, no-one cares for my soul, Brother Andrew explained that people become fundamentalists because no-one has shown care for their soul, i.e. no one has introduced them to the lover of their soul - Jesus.

So beyond the headlines, the bombs and the stigma - people just need to know Jesus. Seeing past the terror to the vulnerable person in need of a Saviour and making that step to actually live and preach Christ to our neighbours is the challenge laid down. Dare we take the challenge?

For more insights on the conflict in the Middle East read Light Force by Brother Andrew.