Evangelistic Methods Among Tribespeople

The challenge of a world task.

By MILTON LEE, Missionary, Southwest Yunnan, China Division

Evangelism is, and always will be, the chief means of winning souls to the third angel's message. To get the best results, the methods used will vary according to the nature and environment of the people worked for. I trust it will be of interest to the Ministry readers to hear of the program of evangelism that is in operation among the tribespeople of southern Yunnan, China.

Early in our labors among aborigines, we learned the value of making right contacts. Among these folk there is always a man who conunands the respect of his neighbors. Often he is not an official, but he gradually assumes this role by his ability to make money and ne­gotiate with petty government men. He is the general benefactor of his community, and acts as mediator in local differences. It is this "key man" with whom we endeavor to become acquainted on entering a new district. If he accepts Christianity, we can almost count on the entire region's following suit. If he is not interested, we might work in such a place for years and fail to gain a convert.

Every now and then a report comes to us that a number of families are interested in the message. The interest may have been cre­ated by one of our teachers on a summer evangelistic tour, or by an earnest layman who has not been silent while doing business in heathen villages or visiting nonbelieving rela­tives. When we hear of such an opening, arrangements are made for one of our more experienced workers to accompany the one who has made the contact. These families are visited, and the truth is preached in their homes.

Win the Community Key Man

It takes a little time to ascertain the in­dividual whom these people respect, for they will soon ask if we have secured his reaction to this new religion. If he has not been seen yet, this key man should be next on the visit­ing list. After the worker has explained the purpose of the visit, the headman will doubt­less agree to urge the villagers to come and investigate. In the evening, victrola music succeeds in bringing the people together. The message is given, together with an appeal for all to attend each night. After the service, medicines are often dispensed. Thus friend­ships are formed, and the people become more friendly.

Each night after the truth is presented in Chinese, the worker's tribal companion gives a persuasive talk in the native tongue, and this has a desired effect. When the people have become well acquainted with their Chris­tian visitors, and have assured themselves that they have not come for personal gain, small groups will form after the services, discussing this new belief pro and con.

Almost everyone agrees that the words spoken are the truth, but the people fear ridi­cule and threats which may come from anti-Christian elements. They are assured that dwellers in China are free to pursue any form of religion they choose, for the country pro­claims freedom of conscience for all. This is a comfort to them, and gradually a few step out and make public their desire to accept. If the headman decides in favor of the mes­sage at this time, results come fast. After his false gods are removed and destroyed, the neighbors begin to invite our brethren to come to their homes and destroy their idols also. Erelong a nucleus of Christian worshipers are organized into a Sabbath school in a large heathen district.

If this district shows promise, we take one of our preachers out of a more established vicinity and send him there. He is soon busily engaged in working for those of the village who are still reluctant to accept the message. Before long the entire village has destroyed all evidences of its previous beliefs and super­stitions. Even the community dragon tree is hewn to the ground. By this time enthusiastic, robust young men think of friends in neigh­boring villages whom they would like to inter­est in the truth. They lead the worker to these places, and fires are kindled in new villages. The work grows until a hundred or more fam­ilies are attending services on the Sabbath at some central location.

Although everyone is enthusiastic over his new-found religion, and young and old are putting forth every effort to learn the memory texts each week, the work is by no means solid.

If the evangelist should leave at this point, the result would be disastrous, for there are al­ways those who try to discourage new con­verts.

The quickest way to strengthen new work is to firmly establish one or two men from each village. This we endeavor to do by in­viting the most promising and intelligent youth to join a special Bible class. After they re­turn home from such instruction, these boys are filled with a love of the truth and are willing to stand firm even in the face of per­secution. Some of them may be from a differ­ent tribe than the majority. If so, they usually wish to lead the preacher to villages among their own people. Thus we enter new tribes. Without these local men to lead, and recom­mend the truth, it would be impossible for outside workers to open work in any of these local districts.

Rotated Sermons to Different Villages

In new work the Sabbath school becomes our chief medium of instructing the people. A special set of quarterlies has been prepared by the Sabbath school department of the China Division for just such endeavor. Each time a new district is opened and a Sabbath school organized, the members begin to study these lessons right from the beginning. When the series is completed, they join with the other Sabbath schools in studying the regular lessons.

A district is usually comprised of about six villages. Because they are too widely separated by mountains and rivers to allow the farming inhabitants to congregate in one place for night meetings, our leader visits one village a day through the week. He gives the same talk at each place, inviting the people to attend Sabbath school, where another doctrine is studied. In this way these learners become acquainted with at least two subjects a week. Such a program continues for a year, or some­times two, depending on the eagerness of the people to grasp the truths and make progress in the Christian way.

At the end of a year the leader announces that a Bible class will be organized to meet before Sabbath school each week. All who are interested in making more rapid progress in a knowledge of the doctrines may enroll. Then follow six months of presenting our cardinal beliefs. At the end of each presenta­tion a call is made for those who are willing to live up to that particular teaching. A record is made of these decisions, together with the date. After the half year is over, a baptismal class is organized of those who have resolved to live up to all points of faith. The baptismal questionnaire is made out, giving the date of each resolution, and is signed by the candidate. They regard this as signing a cove­nant with God. Cards are given in return, enlisting each signer as a probationary member. Whether such are baptized at the end of the year depends on the probationer's conduct during this period of trial.

When the probationers bring in their tithe, it is recorded on the back of the baptismal questionnaires. Likewise a record is made there of the candidate's loyalty to his promise. When the minister makes the rounds at the year's end, he can usually tell who are worthy of acceptance into full church fellowship by referring to the record on the back of these blanks, together with the advice of the district leader. If any probationers have failed, they are put on trial another year, or until they have demonstrated that they have overcome every weakness.

New members are welcomed into the church with the admonition to win others. They enroll in home missionary bands to do active work, and are usually the ones who recommend mem­bers for the new Bible classes to be formed. These new members are watched closely in their soul-winning endeavor. Young men who demonstrate special earnestness and ability to win souls are sent to a training school w.hich is opened for them. This is conducted with the idea of developing local church leadership. After a half year or more of this training, they are ready to return to take church responsi­bilities, thus releasing our paid workers to enter other heathen areas with the gospel. In this way we hope gradually to make each new district self-supporting.

We have learned that the more these people help themselves, the more earnest they become. So after a district is opened, we encourage the converts to erect their own chapels. If they wish a school and we have a teacher, they pay enough in tuition for the instructor's board.

During the present rise of living costs in China, the Yunnan Mission has had to be most economical. Other missions have been forced to lay off more than half of their laborers. But by careful planning and earnest prayer, the director of Yunnan has managed to make ends meet without dismissing a single necessary worker. Under this program, members are being urged to pay their tithe, tuition, and offerings in kind, for staple products do not depreciate like currency at present.

Each student brings his tuition in rice at the time of harvest, when grain is the cheapest. Toward the end of the year it can often be sold at one hundred per cent profit, thus helping the mission to solve part of its financial prob­lem. Moreover, the Yunnan Mission has been especially blessed during the last two years in a remarkable rise in tithe. Our members have learned that if they desire their leaders to continue with them, they must be willing to support them with an honest tithe.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

By MILTON LEE, Missionary, Southwest Yunnan, China Division

April 1942

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

S.D.A. Education for the World Today

Opening address, winter term, S. D. A. Theo­logical Seminary, January 20, 1942, Takoma Park.

Bible Worker Objectives and Methods

Plans and Methods, Experiences and Problems.

The Greater Bible Work—No. IV

Our lofty message should be expressed in the purest, loveliest, most convincing language.

Anti-Liquor Call to Arms

Highlights from the last autumn council.

Poetry for Publication—No. 3

Advice from an expert.

Safeguards in Prophetic Interpretation

Biblical Exposition and Homiletic Helps

III. Incarnation and Ministry of Christ (Concluded)

Part three of our exploration of the incarnation.

Editorial Keynotes

The Messenger and His Message

Remodel Before Church Efforts

Our churches should be a model of order, reverence, neatness, and cleanliness.

Technique of Getting Names

Regardless of how large our tabernacle or hall may be, unless we are able to attract people to our meetings, our work is doomed to failure.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - RevivalandReformation 300x250

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)