There are few things that thrill me more than learning what God is doing in other parts of the world. The Lord works in amazing ways and calls to himself people from every nation and tribe and tongue. Yet even in a world that is rapidly shrinking through the new media available to us, we hear far more than we see. Dispatches from the Front is a series of DVDs created by Frontline Missions that gives us a glimpse of what God is doing across the world.
There are currently 4 episodes available, each one about an hour long. I decided I would watch one of these DVDs each day until I had seen all 4. They were so good that I ended up watching all 4 back-to-back. Each one takes the viewer to a different part of the world–Southest Asia, Eastern Europe, West Africa and India. Each one shows Frontline’s director Tim Keesee traveling within a certain region, seeking to understand the intricacies of its culture and meeting with local Christians. As he does this he hears of miraculous conversions, of terrible persecution, of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It is compelling stuff, amazing stuff; it is nearly impossible to watch without emotion, without tears of joy and sorrow.
Keesee writes about all of these things in his journal; the format of the DVDs is to combine video footage with his journal entries. And it’s a powerful combination.
Here is the trailer for Episode 3 (which was probably my favorite):
And here is Tim Kessee discussing the series:
If you would like to get a bit more of a feel for it, watch this 5-minute excerpt from episode 2.
And here is just a word about the organization he leads:
Frontline Missions has “a key objective and a core strategy. Our key objective is to advance the Gospel and form vibrant, Word-centered, disciple-making churches, especially in those regions of the world that have the least Light. We are driven by the same desire that animated the Apostle Paul who said it was always his ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known (Romans 15:20). How do we pursue our goal? We do so by equipping Christians on the frontlines to reach their own people for Christ, by forming strategic partnerships with them, and by developing creative platforms in those areas of the world closed to traditional missions.”
The DVDs cost $15 each, but you can buy them in bundles which bring the cost down. Why don’t you buy the set, watch it, and then donate it to your church library? They are just too good to keep to yourself.
