December 2001 - La Roca, Costa Rica Crusade Report

Dear Friends and Partners,

This trip marked our 8th ministry trip into the nation of Costa Rica. Having been there that many times in the last 3 years makes it almost seem like a home away from home. We were blessed by having a team of 12 people helping us in everything we did. The team consisted of 10 from the United States and 2 from Costa Rica. Without the team we couldn't have accomplished everything that we did.

We held a crusade in an area called La Roca which is very close to the downtown area. We were warned that this area was known for gangs, thefts, and violence. One person, who we know and trust, had offered us his vehicle while we were there but only with the agreement that we wouldn't take it to La Roca. Well, I don't know about you but that's the kind of area I love to minister in. Jesus said in Luke 5:31-32, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." It bothers me when the church spends almost all of their time ministering, preaching, and teaching to those who have already been made righteous. Now don't go saying I said something I didn't. We have a two-fold commandment from Jesus to fulfill. In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commanded, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We are to proclaim Jesus and make disciples and we are also to teach them. Some groups get caught up in just the teaching and the ministering of the Word to the saints. When they do this they are being disobedient to what Christ has called us to.

Without proclaiming Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection to those who are lost and dying we will never win the world to Jesus. We know it requires faith to receive Jesus and His salvation, and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:14-15 says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" Jesus himself made it even more clear in Mark 16:15 by commanding, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." If we, you and I, don't go to the world they will remain lost and they will go to hell. If you and I don't go and preach Jesus to them they can never have the faith to be saved. We must go! We must proclaim this great salvation!

On the second night of our crusade, we witnessed God's hand move mightily through awesome miracles as He confirmed the resurrection of His son. Thousands left their dead religion and made Jesus the Lord of their life. This tremendous outpouring of faith did not go unnoticed by the extremist and fundamentalist. In the cover of darkness, they infiltrated our security and burnt everything on the crusade grounds. In the morning all that remained of the platform, banners, lights and sound system was a pile of ashes.

You see we have two priorities. You may ask, "what do you mean two priorities, which is more important?" The answer is easier than it seems. Both are equally as important to God, therefore, they should be equally as important to us. Someone might say that proclaiming the gospel is the job of an evangelist. Isn't that an interesting statement? Jesus didn't make that distinction. He commanded the body to go and to preach, not just the evangelist. Besides most self-professed evangelists today aren't evangelists at all. They don't go and proclaim the gospel to the lost. Most of the men and women that the church are calling evangelists are teachers, prophets, or apostles. And yes, there are a handful of just plain ol' speakers. Without you and I opening our mouths and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior, the world will perish.

So we must preach and proclaim this great salvation, but we also must teach them everything Jesus has commanded us. That takes time. That takes commitment and relationship. Some evangelists can't bring themselves to this level of ministry because they love the message more than they love the people. Don't get caught in that trap! If you lead someone to the Lord get ready to start discipling them. Be prepared to invest a great deal of time teaching them what you know. Remember our command is two-fold: we all are to preach and we all are to make disciples.

Together we can reach the world for Him!

Your missionary evangelists,

Kenney & Neja Linhart

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