John Dyer, an 18th century English poet once wrote, “A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without friends; but he can never go there without Christ.” As I travel the world, it always breaks my heart to see what I call “two-dimensional” organizations in action. These are groups of people who feed the hungry (like we do in Guatemala), sponsor education (like we do in Ghana), facilitate mobile triage units for the sick (like we do in Egypt), construct and repair homes or other necessary community structures (like we do in Mexico), host camps for underprivileged children (like we do in Ukraine), and so on. These are all wonderful gestures and I am sure are truly appreciated. However, they are two-dimensional acts because they stop at helping people physically and mentally. Handing out a few days worth of food has stopped the bleeding temporarily, but on an eternal scale, virtually no impact has been made.
What then, is the mark of an effective outreach? When does it become three-dimensional, or whole-person oriented? Only when the Gospel is communicated, does any interaction with another human being become eternally significant and truly life-changing. This month, billions of dollars will be spent on merchandise that most people do not need. This will be happening while billions of people go without hearing the message of Jesus Christ. While we often have a humanitarian aid component in our trips, our primary purpose for traveling to all parts of the world is to tell others how they can know the Savior, and be discipled to reach their own nation for Him. What greater gift to give someone, than introducing them to the One who died temporarily, so they might live eternally.
