How come we do not hear about vibrant churches in Antarctica? Doesn't the great commission mean we should go to every continent? -- Various queries
Quite simply, the reason you will not find this church anywhere on the entire continent of Antarctica is that there is no permanent population there. Apart from the occasional wealthy tourist or adventurer, most visitors to this frigid continent are scientists, who often do not remain any longer than 3-6 months of the year. Their permanent homes are in the nations of their citizenship.
Furthermore, Antarctica is not a country, but a cluster of territories claimed by a number of nations (the United States, Russia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Australia, Japan, Norway, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Chile).
While it is our conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord over all the earth, this does not necessarily mean that there will be congregations of disciples in every location. My advice: pray for the scientific community on Antarctica!
I recently read your brief response to a person who asked about planting a church in Antarctica. My encouragement to the person that wrote the question is simple. My brother has summered in Antarctica for six years. He works on McMurdo Station as their Construction Coordinator for the Science Support Division. In talking to him and most any one who has experience in that harsh environment, you will find that they would not call it their home. So in essence, the shifting population of Antarctica would make it difficult at best to plant a church there. Please do pray for those in Antarctica though -- my brother may become a disciple because of your faith. -- Greg LaBombard
Thank you for your email, Greg. As Psalm 139:9-12 says, "If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." Appropriate words for the icy continent, yes?
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