Missionary - Daniel Brown
Question: I’m sure there are many that will read this article that don’t know you well, so can you give us some background information on you and your family, and how God led you to the place where you serve today? Don’t forget to give us the names and ages of all the children.
Child Name: Micah Johnson Brown - 5/31/10
Reply: During our time at Bible College, God began to work on our hearts about the need for local New Testament churches to be planted worldwide. We felt that He was calling us to be involved, in some way, in starting local churches. Also during college, we were introduced to biblical missions, as opposed to traditional missions. We began to understand the effectiveness of accomplishing God’s work solely upon the pattern given in Scripture. Another component which God used in our lives was the introduction of the “Unreached People Groups”. We had never heard that almost half of our world’s population lived where there were no New Testament churches. We began to pray through lists of the “Unreached”, willing ourselves to go if the Lord would lead. After some time of praying for labourers, the Lord directed our attention to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. After much time in prayer, and a short visit in April of 2011, the Lord made it very clear that it is His will for us to start a church in Liechtenstein.
Question: What are some cultural differences you expect to encounter when you get to Liechtenstein?
Reply: The differences between American and European culture are subtle, but vast. Everything from apparel, to food, to personalities are extremely different. Perhaps the greatest cultural difference we will face will be the way people communicate. In America, we are blessed to have both the freedom and the opportunity to confront people with the gospel. While many reject the gospel, we have no problem asking a person we have never met about their eternal soul. In Europe, the rules of communication are quite different. There is a business level, and a personal level of communication. To violate the business level is offensive until one is invited to do so. Personal communication would include family, politics, and religion. For this reason, we will have to approach “soul-winning” from a different angle. We will have to build relationships before we will ever have an opportunity to share the gospel. This will prove to be a challenge, but we believe it will be fruitful in time, as those who trust Christ as Saviour will have a better knowledge of who it is they are trusting in.
Question: What new challenges have you experienced that you didn’t experience before?
Reply: Learning the language and culture will be an obvious challenge. However, I believe the greatest challenges will be spiritually. It will be a spiritual battle all of the time. Our daily walk with God will be of utmost importance as we will be facing many roadblocks and temptations from Satan along the way.
Question: What is the most influential religion in the area you are working, and what unique challenge does that present?
Reply: Roman Catholicism; The entire culture of Liechtenstein is wrapped up in Catholicism. The businesses, schools, social clubs, and even the government are heavily influenced by the Catholic church. When a person is saved and baptized, they will surely face persecution from their family and friends. Their employment may even be at risk. While it is definitely a challenge, we are confident that those who make a profession of faith will not do so lightly, as we see so much in America. They, like the New Testament Christians, will be forsaking all to follow Christ.
Question: How will you go about evangelizing the people you are trying to reach?
Reply: As personal relationships are so important, we will have to be creative in our attempts to build them. We plan to meet people through public venues (i.e. social clubs, employment, school events, sporting events, etc.). From there, we will begin Bible studies with those we meet, attempting to clearly give them the gospel. We will also use the means of technology we have available. We are currently planning to host a website in Liechtenstein which will target those wanting to learn more about the Bible. Those interested will receive a Bible, and get information about local Bible studies in their area. The means of evangelism are many, but the only biblical method for evangelism is preaching the gospel.
Question: What methods will you use to train and disciple the new converts?
Reply: From the beginning, we will hold Bible studies which will instruct the new believers in the Christian walk, and challenge them to begin sharing their faith with others. Leadership training will be set in place for those who mature in their walk with the Lord. We will seek to provide the biblical training necessary for believers and churches to reproduce themselves in Liechtenstein. Discipleship will be the key to this ministry’s success, as the nationals will be more effective in reaching their own people for Christ than we will.
Question: What are some of the goals you have set for yourself and the ministry?
Reply: 1.) Glorify God in everything we do 2.) Finish deputation and leave for Europe by the end of January 2013 3.) Learn the German language and culture in 1 1/2 years. We will be attending language school near Munich, Germany and working in a German church during our time in language school. 4.) Gain entrance into Liechtenstein 5.) Establish a New Testament church in Liechtenstein 6.) See at least one church started from that church in Liechtenstein
Question: What advice would you offer a missionary preparing to serve in Europe?
Reply: 1.) Don’t be discouraged by the “naysayers”. Many people will give their reasons why ministries can’t succeed in Europe, but God’s Word doesn’t list any. 2.) Don’t try to convert people to a Western style of Christianity. 3.) Be Biblical in your missionary methods. Traditionalism will not work in Europe, or anywhere else in the world.
Question: How can your home church encourage you and other missionaries on the field?
Reply: 1.) Pray for us and the needs of the ministry the Lord has called us to. 2.) Support us financially. 3.) Treat this ministry as a ministry of the local church.
Missionary - Deanna Brown
Question: How are you planning to adjust to the culture?
Reply: I believe the Lord has given me this time in deputation to pray, learn, and prepare my heart for living in a new culture. Secondly, I desire to become as much like the people as possible. Trying to get myself around the other mothers and activities will help me to adapt.
Question: Do you involve yourself in the ministry, or is your focus on taking care of the home and the children.
Reply: The Lord laid the desire for missions on my heart as a child. We both have a heart for missions, and believe that God’s calling is not only my husbands calling, but our calling. My first priority is my husband and children, but I do not believe children should be used as an excuse or hindrance from being involved in the Lord’s work. While on deputation I involve myself in as many ways as possible in each church we attend. The Lord enables me to be involved in the ministry of deputation as well as the ministry of my family. While in Europe, I desire to be just as involved in the ministry, while raising our children and caring for our family.
Question: What is a typical day like for you?
Reply: Great! I love having so much time as a family. I am normally sitting in our minivan with our calendar open, looking up church’s numbers to dial for my husband. Some days are a full day of traveling, while others are days of ministry and mission conferences where we have the opportunity to meet new friends and family in Christ. I have yet to grow tired of sharing our burden and raising awareness of unreached people groups with Christians all over the States.
Question: What advice would you offer the wife of a missionary preparing to serve in Europe?
Reply: Take things one step at a time. Do not be overwhelmed with what you might face in Europe. There is so much to learn from each stage of preparation, and each one equips you to face the next. Also, do not let yourself become defensive or critical toward people’s responses to the ministry God has given you. Europe is not a poor, “pull on your heart strings” type of place. When others see our presentation I regularly hear one of two replies: “It looks so nice! I wish I could live there!”, or , “That area seems so hard. I know it will take years to see anyone converted. So many missionaries return from there. You have your work cut out for you.” Just understand that part of your ministry is to inform people of the need of those God has called you to.
These questions are for both of you.
Question: How can your home church encourage you and other missionaries on the field?
Reply: 1.) Pray for us and the needs of the ministry the Lord has called us to. 2.) Support us financially. 3.) Treat this ministry as a ministry of the local church. 4.) Send laborers to help in the ministry periodically.
Question: What are the greatest prayer needs you have for yourselves and the ministry, keeping in mind that this article will not be read until a few months from now.
Reply: PROTECTION: We travel many miles on deputation and are in many different and unfamiliar places. PROVISION: We desire to complete deputation by the end of January 2013. Please pray that the Lord will provide the necessary financial support by this time. POWER: While on deputation and in Europe, we will need the power of God. Our walk with the Lord must be intimate, and we desire God’s people to pray that the Lord will keep us close in fellowship with Him. PURITY: As we are involved in God’s work, we realize that Satan will be in opposition to us. Part of this opposition is temptation. Please pray that the Lord will strengthen us against temptation, and keep us pure in heart, mind and action.
Question: What would you like to say to your home church, and your other supporting churches, that perhaps we didn’t cover in this interview?
Reply: Please understand that the responsibility of Reaching the Unreached does not end with sending the Brown family. There are still millions of others who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep praying for, and sending laborers to the Unreached.
* Please stay faithful while we’re away. Many times churches expect missionaries to produce on a foreign field, what they are not willing to do themselves. Win souls to Christ here at home; Disciple them faithfully here; Plant local New Testament churches here; Let us return to the States in years to come finding the people who sent us still faithfully moving forward for the Lord.
