What is the best news you have heard recently?

I love hearing good news. Whether it’s the football team I follow winning, or a good friend announcing their engagement, or something global like the recent liberation of Libya – good news makes me want to celebrate!

When we receive good news, we want to share it. But what if it was dangerous to pass on good news to someone you love. Would you be willing to take the risk?

Good News worth risking everything to share

Joshua is one of the Bible school students Thirteen Three has been supporting in Vietnam. He is now leading a small house church. He thinks that the Gospel is good news worth risking everything to share.

I met with Joshua and his house church last night. I expected them to be meeting in someone’s home, but they met secretly in a field. They sung their hearts out and fervently prayed for God to work through them to save the lost. I had the privilege of sharing a short message and reminding them of the best news of all:

“God’s love is seen in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Joshua wants to reach out to young workers in Ho Chi Minh City. In the district that his house church meets, there are over 100,000 young people who need Jesus. In the last seven months he has led 50 people to Jesus.

Every week they meet with non-Christians to share their lives and the Gospel. And God is working. People are coming to Christ.

God is working, but there is a cost

Joshua faces ongoing opposition from the local authorities. The reason they were meeting in a field last night is because the local authorities refused to let them meet in their usual location.

He has also faced persecution from the families of those he has led to Christ. Three months ago he was beaten by one of the parents of a new believer who was furious that their child was now following Jesus.

Despite these risks, Joshua is full of joy. Last night, nothing could wipe the smile off his face seeing God at work to bring people to life in Christ.

Do you believe the Gospel is good news to your friends and family, to your community, to your city? Would you be willing to risk your reputation (nothing compared to what Joshua risks) to share God’s love?