In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

Humanitarian aid workers who take the opportunity to show God’s love in war-torn countries are well aware of the risks involved.

bq.. The slayings last week of four American missionaries in Iraq have highlighted not only the danger facing foreigners in postwar Iraq, but the under-the-radar strategy of evangelical Christian mission groups in the predominantly Muslim country.

A car carrying the Southern Baptist volunteers – including 28-year-old David McDonnall of Rowlett, Texas, a Colorado native – was ambushed Monday outside Mosul and sprayed with bullets and rocket-propelled grenades.

But in the parlance of the International Mission Board, the missionary arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, the victims were not missionaries but “humanitarian aid workers,” there not to proselytize but to demonstrate God’s love with good works.

That, the agency said, is an important distinction because Iraq does not grant visas for missionary purposes.

p. [ Full Story @ Denver Post ]

p(small). Source: Denver Post© 2004 The Denver Post

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Filed under: Missions