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>> As we think about the 4 billion 350 million oral learners around the world, come to realize
the challenges are large. We have discovered that we have missed the mark of oral learners,
learning centric. We have discovered we need to think about oral learners who are not illiterates,
who might just have a preference for learning in an oral way.
And then we have discussed, huddled together at the table to talk about what must we do
differently. And now what I would like to do is introduce to you Steve Evans, for him
to talk a little bit about some of his experiences and so Steve, would you come and maybe tell
us a little bit about how you have used oral strategies and maybe where might that have
worked? Please, Steve.
>> Thank you, Sam. I could share many stories of being involved with oral strategies around
the world, from China, to Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, many, many
places. But Sam, I want to share with you a story from Pakistan.
One time I was in Pakistan to lead some conferences on oral communication of God's word. It was
in the northern part of the country. A very beautiful part with high mountains and beautiful
valleys. And before the conference started I met a businessman who was in his 40s. He
owned a successful tourism business. He said, ‘Before the conference starts let's go on
a hike in the mountains,’ and I agreed and for half a day we walked the hills and the
valleys. And he asked me a question, ‘Why are you here?’
I began to share with him the reason I was in Pakistan, in his area, was to share with
oral communicators how they could share God's word to other oral communicators for evangelism,
for discipleship, for church planting. And he had to ask me, ‘What do you mean by oral
communicator?’ And so I shared with him basically it's those who can't, won't, or
don't read and write.
He stopped on the trail. He looked at me. He said, ‘You're talking about me.’ I
said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said, ‘I’m illiterate. Even though I’m a businessman,
I can't read or write. And I don't feel like I have any ministry to do for God.’ I said,
‘No, I think you are advantaged over many other and can learn to do ministry for God.’
As we continued walking a farmer in his field called to us and said, ‘Come to my house
for some tea.’ So we agreed. The man put down his hoe. We went to his house and sat
in his yard with his family and drank tea. Discussion centered around the mountains and
the traditions of the mountains and the stories of the mountains and I said, ‘You know,
this discussion reminds me of a story from God's word.’
And I began to share in the beginning, before there was anything, there was God. He spoke
and when he spoke he created everything. After I finished the story the farmer said, ‘I
believe that story.’ And I said, ‘Yes, I believe that story too.’ And I asked him,
‘Would you like to hear more stories?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And I said, ‘I’m leaving,
but my friend here lives here, and he will be glad to share with you stories from God's
word.’
He had a surprised look on his face, but as we left I said, ‘May I pray for you and
your family?’ The farmer said, ‘Yes.’ We prayed and this colleague of mine stepped
out of the yard and continued walking. He turned to me and he said, ‘It's really that
easy, isn't it?’ And I said, ‘Yes, it's really that easy.’ And he said, ‘I can
do this.’
>> You know, brothers and sisters, it is just that easy. And you say oh, but it's not that
easy in my own ministry. What I would like you to do is just take two minutes at your
table, and talk together what's one thing that you might wish to do differently, and
that you can attempt. In other words, you share ideas, what must you do differently
but what is one thing that you would like to attempt? Will you huddle together again
in your groups and just talk about that for about two minutes? Go ahead.
>>Well, brothers and sisters. We covered a lot this afternoon. We looked at 4 billion
350 million oral learners. We looked at how we must change in order to communicate more
effectively to see churches planted in the villages, in the cities. We had a demo of
a story that you had told. It was as simple as that, that you were able to tell the other
person and you saw it being taken up here with five different questions.
Then we talked together very specifically about how have we missed the mark of using
oral strategies, and what must we do differently. And now you were just coming out of your huddle
to talk about what is that one thing you are going to attempt to do?