How about a town that has a population of 20,000, but swells to 70,000 every first weekend? That town would be Gallup, NM.
Gallup is home to one ABA work already. The Morning Star Baptist Mission (as I understand it) ministers primarily to the Navajo (which constitute 36% of the Gallup population). In fact, Gallup has been the launch pad for several missionaries to the Navajo Nation. These missionaries are doing a fine work, and perhaps I'll feature the Navajo Nation on a future Mission Field Monday article.
However, 64% of Gallup is non-Navajo, and that makes for a wide open mission field. Gallup is an old Route 66 town. The Motel El Rancho, strategically located on Route 66, has been the stopping point for many Hollywood actors, including John Wayne, and each one has his own themed room in the motel. Gallup was also featured in the Chuck Berry Classic, "Route 66." The Route 66 part of town has been well preserved.
Gallup is a key city in evangelizing Western New Mexico. Many of the small towns in that area do not have a Baptist church (not just ABA churches, many of these places don't even have SBC or BBFI churches). However, the people don't open up to change very much, so discipleship and evangelism efforts will be a slow-go.
Still, for the missionary who is called to be a "Wild West Witness," Gallup would be the right field. Funding is available through the Interstate Missions Fund of the ABA, plus several supporting churches would be willing to sign on.
Please pray for someone to go to Gallup, NM.
No comments:
Post a Comment