Ripe for Harvest

22 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

so please, do not hesitate to contact us – if you want to partner or link arms with us as we strive to raise up outposts of the Kingdom in the neediest communities on earth. Immediately following his encounter with the Samaritan woman, she ran into the town and said to the people that she had found a man who had told her all that she had ever done. Surely, she said, this must be the Christ! Meanwhile, the disciples returned from their errand to get food, and urged him to eat. Jesus told them that his food was to do God’s will and to finish his work. Then he replied, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white [ripe] for harvest (John 4.35 ESV). The name for this guidebook is derived from this statement of our Lord. We have lifted up our eyes on the unreached urban poor, and know them to be fields fully mature, ripe for harvest. It is in the spirit of this readiness that we write this volume, penned for those who see the ripened fields and are ready to plant healthy churches among the poor in the cities of the world. Matthew 9.35-38 (ESV) – And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” May the Lord send out laborers into his harvest, among the urban poor peoples of this world, and may his Kingdom advance among them, to the glory of God. We are convinced that God will surprise us all as he works on their behalf, in places which have yet to experience his saving grace and love. Remember what our Lord said of the dying millions, a word that still fits the urban poor today:

Rev. Don Allsman Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Dr. Hank Voss Los Angeles, CA

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis Wichita, KS