One of the greatest fears in a Christian's experience is that of the fear of rejection. Let's face it. We all like to be liked, and it's amazing what many people will do to find acceptance.
There are moments in history that define a nation - or a civilization. In one moment, the nation of Romania was transformed by four simple words - Dumnezeu este cu noi (God is with us)! In December 1989, people captured the main television station from the communists in Bucharest. For the first time in decades, people heard the word "God." It shocked the entire population. Hope sprang forth. Hearts rejoiced. The foundations of an atheistic system shook. Romania would never again be the same.
Recently I was in the nation of Albania preaching the gospel. I ministered in one city in which 99 percent of the population was Muslim background. The small band of Christians, in the city, were hungry to see their friends, relatives and neighbors come to Christ. It was thrilling to watch hundreds of people listening the first time to the gospel.
In 1989, I had the opportunity to lead a seminar at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization which was being held in Manila, Philippines. Christian leaders and missionaries from around the world gathered for the historic conference. One of the great joys that I experienced was meeting Christians from different cultures, nations, races and languages.