Kenya Missions: “Who will hold the rope?”
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator and Religious Broadcaster
Kenya Mission’s Trip: Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2024
“Who Will Hold the Rope” is a metaphor for the collaborative effort between those who send missionaries and those who go! The phrase originated from a farewell in year 1792, between Missionary William Carey and his friend Andrew Fuller.”
Today, rope-holders are committed believers who: Pray, make Financial Donations, Encourage and Advocate for the Missionaries and the work they are doing.
We invite you to “Hold the Rope” for Pastor Brad as he departs for the Mission Field.
Missionary William Carey writes:
“In 1792, William Carey published a treatise with the long title: An Enquiry Into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. Most of Carey’s contemporaries believed that the call to cross-cultural evangelism applied only to the apostles. Carey challenged this view by arguing that the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18–20 is a binding command on every generation of Christians. He recounted the history of missions, offered a survey of the state of global Christianity during his day, and urged Baptists and others to form societies to send missionaries to foreign lands with zero or minimal gospel presence.
That same year, Carey preached a missionary sermon from Isaiah 54:2–3, which reads, “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities” (HCSB). His sermon had two points: Expect great things, Attempt great things.
Before the end of 1792, Carey and his friends in the Northamptonshire Baptist Association founded the Baptist Missionary Society, which was the first organization of its type in the evangelical world. Carey himself was sent to India the following year, where he served as a missionary until his death in 1834. His example inspired hundreds of others to become missionaries. Carey has often been called the father of the modern missions movement because of his advocacy for foreign missions and his role as the most famous early evangelical missionary.”
Last year’s Mega Conference in Siaya, Kenya! This year we are told, even more people will attend…
Andrew Fuller Held the Ropes:
“Many people have heard of William Carey; far fewer have heard of his good friend Andrew Fuller. Like Carey, Fuller was nurtured in a theological context that wasn’t congenial toward intentional evangelism and missions. And like Carey, Fuller came to believe that every Christian was commanded to spread the gospel, and some were called to do so cross-culturally.
Before leaving for India, Carey famously told Fuller, “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes.” Fuller held the ropes by serving as president of the Baptist Mission Society from its founding until his death in 1814. He traveled all over the British Isles, raising funds and preaching missions-related sermons. The missionaries in India and other early fields could concentrate on their ministry in the field because they knew Fuller was advocating for them back home.”
“Before leaving for India, Carey famously told Fuller, ‘I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes.’”
While the Great Commission is a command for all Christians, not every believer is called to move to another land to serve as a cross-cultural missionary. But many are, and these missionaries need pastors, churches and missions partners back home who, like Fuller with Carey, will “Hold the ropes for them” as they spread the good news among unreached and underserved people groups.
Today, Rope-Holders are committed believers who: Pray, make Financial Donations, Encourage and Advocate for the Missionaries and the work they are doing.
Will you “Hold the Rope” for Pastor Brad as he prepare to depart for Kenya?
5-Day Pastors & Leaders Conference in Siaya - Kenya will be a Major Ministry Event. Approximately 4,000 are expected to attend.
Nairobi - Kenya, the capital city. Ministering to government staff and other leaders.
Please join us in prayer for this trip. Thank You!!
The Mission’s Trip Prayer Card is below…
Thank you for Holding the Rope for Pst Brad!
“A Heart After God, Bible Teaching Ministry: Reaching Africa & Beyond!”
