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In a world where the pursuit of religious activities can sometimes overshadow the true essence of faith, Nik Ripken suggests it’s time to stop playing church. He challenges us to move beyond the mere performance of religious rituals and delve into the radical call to authentic faith.

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Nik Ripken’s Journey of Faith

The power of a single moment can shape our understanding of faith and influence our spiritual journey. In Nik Ripken’s life, such a moment occurred on an Easter Sunday when he was just 11 years old. As he sat in the church service, captivated by the pastor’s sermon on the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a profound realization dawned upon him. However, his subsequent observation of the congregation’s lack of engagement led him to question the reality of the resurrection and view the story of Christ as nothing more than fiction.

An Upsetting Revelation

As Nik Ripken listened to the pastor’s message on the betrayal of Judas and the crucifixion of Jesus, a deep sense of upset welled up within him. Specifically, he empathized with the pain and suffering Jesus endured and felt a burning desire to share this profound revelation with others.

Disillusionment and Doubt

However, Nik’s excitement soon waned as he looked around the large church filled with people seemingly disengaged, doodling in their bulletins, and not giving much attention to the message. This disheartening sight led him to question the authenticity and significance of the resurrection story. He began to view it as a mere “once-upon-a-time” tale rather than a genuine, life-changing event.

Navigating a Crisis of Faith

The realization that many people treated the resurrection as a fictional story left Nik in a crisis of faith. As a result, he grappled with doubts and struggled to reconcile his youthful energy and anger about what happened to Christ with the apparent indifference of those around him. The depth of his faith was challenged, and he sought answers to understand the truth.

A Journey of Rediscovery

In the midst of his doubts, Nik embarked on a journey of rediscovering the reality of the resurrection. Later in life, he delved into Scripture, sought the wisdom of trusted mentors, and engaged in deep introspection. Nik pursued a deeper understanding of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Eventually, he began to encounter profound encounters and experiences that shattered his skepticism and reignited his faith.

Embracing the Truth

Through his exploration, Nik Ripken gradually embraced the truth. He realized that the resurrection of Christ was not a fictional story but a powerful, life-altering reality. He realized that the indifference of others did not diminish the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. Instead, it revealed the brokenness of humanity and the need for individuals to encounter the resurrected Christ personally.

Impact on Nik Ripken’s Life and Ministry

This pivotal moment in Nik Ripken’s spiritual journey had a profound impact on his life and ministry. It fueled his passion to share the reality of Christ’s resurrection with others, particularly those facing persecution and hardships. He became a voice for the persecuted Church. To this day, Nik carries the message of hope and transformation that comes from an authentic encounter with the risen Savior.

It’s Time to Stop Playing Church

Nik Ripken’s experience reminds us that our understanding of faith can be influenced by the responses of those around us. However, through his journey of rediscovery, Nik Ripken found the truth of the resurrection to be a powerful, life-changing reality. His story inspires us to seek the truth for ourselves and to share this truth with passion and conviction.

Nik Ripken spent seven years in Somalia, a country ravaged by war and famine. In this podcast episode, he shares his experiences of bringing teams of volunteers into the country and the impact they had as Christian missionaries in Somalia.

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Ripken’s Impact in War-Torn Somalia

Ripken explains that Somalia was a challenging place to work. The country was torn apart by conflict, with different factions vying for control. The people were suffering from famine, and there was a severe lack of resources. Despite these difficulties, Ripken felt called to help the Somali people.

There’s really good news and there’s really bad news. Because the need was so great, we couldn’t live there as a family. It would have been impossible. There’s 93% malnutrition. We would have been raided just because of what they would’ve thought we brought in to feed our children and to feed Ruth. We were in there for about a year before the military came in.

To bring volunteers into the country, Ripken had to navigate a complex web of relationships with local leaders and negotiate with armed groups for safe passage. He also had to find ways to provide food, water, and shelter for the teams.

Despite the challenges, Ripken and his teams were able to make a significant impact. They provided medical care, food, and water to those in need. They also started schools and provided training for teachers. Through their efforts, they were able to bring hope to a people who had experienced so much suffering.

It Takes Ability and Courage to Work in Conflict Zones

Nik Ripken faced enormous challenges in providing aid to the suffering people. He emphasizes the need for volunteers with both ability and courage to work in such difficult circumstances.

Ripken’s team operated five centers, each feeding 10,000 people per day. However, even the food distribution sites were not immune to danger, as they had to be surrounded by razor wire for protection. People would line up before dawn, and if the food did not arrive in time or the military was not present to provide security, the volunteers would have to quickly flee.

Ripken found that some of the nurses from the United States struggled with the harsh living conditions and the challenging environment, and he realized that this approach was not sustainable. He asked his leadership to lend him career workers from Southern Africa for one-month periods instead.

They had some toughness. They had developed some callouses on their hands, feet, and heart. Their adjustment, while it was difficult… it wasn’t like they were going to fall apart on us or anything. […] They hadn’t practiced that much medicine, but I could do it.

These career workers had already learned the local language and developed resilience, making them better able to handle the challenges of working in Somalia. As a result, they were more likely to be successful and less likely to fall apart on the job.

Ripken’s experience in Somalia highlights the need for volunteers with both ability and courage to serve in difficult conditions, and the importance of learning from experience to develop sustainable solutions.

Christian Missionaries in Somalia Provide Medical Aid

Nik Ripken’s experience at a village clinic in Somalia highlights the harsh reality of the healthcare situation in many developing countries. According to Nik, everyone he saw in the clinic had multiple health issues, including eye infections, ear infections, skin infections, malaria, and parasites. He observed that everyone needed antibiotics, as someone was going to have diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.

The people of Somalia face tremendous health challenges due to the lack of access to basic healthcare services. The lack of resources, infrastructure, and trained healthcare professionals make it difficult for people to receive even the most basic medical care, leading to high rates of illness and death.

In the clinic, Nik noticed that there was a long line in front of every nurse, and the line in front of him was even longer because the people believed he was a doctor. However, Nik was not a medical doctor; he held a doctorate in ministry. Despite this, he listened to the nurses and followed their directions on how to treat each patient.

Nik’s experience highlights the significance of empathy, compassion, and collaboration when providing aid to those in need. By listening to and following the guidance of trained professionals, Christian missionaries in Somalia addressed a multitude of healthcare challenges.

Nik Ripken’s experience in Somalia underscores the importance of providing basic healthcare services to people in developing countries. It also emphasizes the value of empathy, compassion, and collaboration in providing aid to those in need. By working together and leveraging our resources, Christian missionaries improve the lives of those who are facing significant health challenges.

Still, Nik says we’re “2000 years too late” in bringing Christ to Somalia.

Nik tells us that out of every 10 persecuted believers brought to America, only one in 10 are still practicing their faith after 10 years. Ruth and Nik Ripken have observed this phenomenon while offering freedom from persecution to Christians around the world.

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Are Our Missionaries Safe?

For years, missionary safety has been of paramount importance for the sending church, sending boards, and churches that love to pray for missionaries. However, if missionary safety is the number one issue for families, churches, and agencies that send workers to the field, then there is only one logical conclusion. “We should stop sending them and bring them all home,” Nik remarks.

This may seem like an extreme statement, but if we truly value the safety of our missionaries above all else, then we must recognize the risks involved in sending them to unfamiliar and potentially dangerous places. We cannot guarantee their safety, no matter how much we pray for them or provide them with training and resources.

Nik’s Note on Western Christian Culture

According to Nik, Western Christian culture has attempted to sanitize faith and missions of their rough edges. We want to carry our cross, but we want it to be sanded clean, lightweight, and equipped with training wheels. We do not want it to be something that breaks us down and makes us fall under its weight, as it did for Christ.

But can we truly call ourselves followers of Christ if we are not willing to suffer and face persecution for our faith? Jesus promised that if we follow Him, the world will do to us what it did to Him. “Persecution will be our lot,” Nik explains.

By attempting to remove suffering and persecution from the heart of our faith, Western Christianity has neutered it, rendering it shallow and incomplete. As a result, Nik suggests that we have lost sight of the true cost of discipleship and the radical obedience that Jesus calls us to.

This doesn’t mean that we should deliberately put our missionaries in harm’s way or neglect their safety. We must do all that we can to minimize the risks they face and provide them with the support they need. However, missions can still be dangerous. Nik recognizes that our ultimate goal is not to keep our missionaries safe but to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth, even if it costs us everything.

In conclusion, if missionary safety is our top priority, then we must seriously consider whether we should continue sending missionaries to the field. We must also be willing to embrace the rough edges of our faith and recognize that suffering and persecution are an inevitable part of following Christ. Only then can we fully live out our calling as disciples and fulfill the Great Commission.

A Western Perspective on Persecution and Faith

When these persecuted Christians arrive in a country of religious freedom, they often find that few people are willing to suffer or die for their faith. They wonder why they were willing to sacrifice everything for Christ in their own countries, while believers in the West seem to take their faith for granted.

The willingness to suffer and die for one’s faith is a central theme in the Bible. Jesus suffered and died on the cross, and He calls followers to take up their own crosses and follow Him. However, in the West, we have become so averse to suffering that we have removed the rough edges of our faith. We want to follow Jesus, but only if it is easy and comfortable.

This is a stark contrast to the experience of persecuted Christians, who have often lost everything for their faith. They have been beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for their belief in Jesus. Yet, in the face of such extreme persecution, they have clung to their faith and refused to renounce Christ.

Immigrant Christians Struggle with Disillusionment

When these persecuted Christians come to the West and see how little people are willing to suffer for their faith, it can be a shocking and disillusioning experience. They may wonder if this new country truly values faith, or if it is just a cultural accessory. They may also feel a sense of betrayal. Workers from these Western countries brought them to Christ, but the concern for the cross seems to be lacking.

As a result, many persecuted Christians who relocate to the West may continue to believe in Christ, but they may no longer practice their faith. They may feel that if they can have resurrection without crucifixion, then what is the point of the cross?

Nik calls Western Christians to take our faith seriously and to be willing to suffer or die for our beliefs. He reminds us that martyrs gave their lives to strengthen our faith. The willingness to suffer for Christ is a hallmark of true discipleship. This involves supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, even if it means putting ourselves at risk.

Persecuted Christians are losing their faith after relocating to the West. This reminds us how much we take our religious freedom for granted. We must be willing to embrace the rough edges of our faith and to remember the cost of discipleship.

According to Nik Ripken, some Christians mistakenly believe that short term mission trips can replace being involved in the local church and evangelizing in their own communities. He argues that this approach is misguided. It does not address the ongoing need for evangelism and discipleship in one’s local context.

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When Helping Hurts in Short Term Missions

Short term missions can have a negative impact on vulnerable communities, such as orphans. When volunteers come into a community for a short period, they may offer love and support. However, they often do not have a long-term commitment to building relationships and supporting the community over time. This can lead to a sense of abandonment and mistrust when the volunteers leave:

We have modeled and taught orphans that you cannot trust love for more than two weeks at a time. They’re now 18 or 20 years of age. Some of the most hardened, street-wise, hard-hearted adults were children that church people loved with all our hearts. We sacrificed to get there. We told them we love them, that we will never forget them, and we will be back. And we don’t ever come back. We don’t contact them, and we don’t send letters back. After they experience that and age out of the orphanage, they’re some of the hardest kids on earth.

Furthermore, these volunteers may unintentionally model behavior that is not sustainable or appropriate for the community. They may provide temporary solutions instead of long-term solutions. This can create dependency and perpetuate the cycle of poverty or other issues that the community is facing.

It is important for volunteers and mission organizations to consider the long-term impact of their actions. Missionaries must work alongside the community to provide sustainable solutions. This may involve building long-term relationships, partnering with local organizations, and empowering the community to take ownership of their own development.

Witness in Your Own Jerusalem

Nik Ripken shares his experience of calling churches to thank them for sending volunteers who served him and his wife for over two years. He often discovered that these volunteers were not regular attendees or contributors in their own churches. He highlights the need for Christians to serve and be a witness in their own “Jerusalem,” and not just in foreign mission fields or short-term mission trips:

When someone comes to us and serves us for over two years… I’ll just call the church and thank the pastor for sending us the nurse, relief worker, or food distributor. Oftentimes that pastor will say to us, “Nik, I am so thankful that they served you so well. I don’t know if I would recognize them if they walked in the church door. I know who you’re talking about, but I know they don’t attend regularly, and I know that they are not a regular contributor to the life of the church financially. As far as I can tell, being a witness across the street in their own Jerusalem is something they have yet to work up to.”

Through Ripken’s example, we see the importance of being actively involved in our own churches, families, and communities. Serving in our local contexts allows us to build lasting relationships, share the gospel with those around us, and make a meaningful impact.

Ripken emphasizes the importance of being involved in the local church and building relationships with people in one’s own community. He believes that evangelism should be a lifestyle and not just a one-time event or a short term mission trip. While short term mission trips can be valuable experiences, they should be seen as a supplement to local evangelism efforts, not a replacement for them.

Avoid Being a “Missionary Tourist”

A common issue with short term mission trips is the influx of volunteers that can overwhelm and inundate communities. This happens particularly in urban areas. While volunteers may have good intentions, their presence can sometimes create more harm than good. Missionaries must align their work with long-term strategies and community needs:

From youth and high school all the way to retirees, these people are doing great jobs. But major cities are inundated with volunteers. Many make every effort to fit in with long-term strategies, while some unfortunately present that stereotype of the missionary tourist.

The “missionary tourist” stereotype can be damaging and perpetuate negative stereotypes about missionaries and their intentions. This can further hinder effective evangelism and community development efforts by creating a sense of mistrust and suspicion among local residents.

While short term mission trips can be valuable experiences, it is important to approach them with a mindset of humility and a willingness to learn from local communities. Volunteers should seek to build relationships with local leaders and work together to identify community needs and develop long-term solutions that empower local residents to take ownership of their own development.

Ultimately, short term mission trips should be viewed as a supplement to long-term, sustainable efforts to build relationships and support communities in their growth and development. By working together with local leaders and residents, volunteers can have a meaningful impact that goes beyond just a few weeks or months of service.