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Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Mission Aviation Fellowship Releases Landmark Study on Global Evangelism Barriers and Opportunities
Findings Will Shape International Missions Strategies for Next 20 Years; Information Also Important to Humanitarian Organizations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naomi Frizzell @ 904-262-5202; nfrizzell@kingdomvisioncom.com
Download press kit at www.maf.org/news/news/2006_06_05_operationaccess
Operation ACCESS! website: www.operationaccessmaf.org
REDLANDS, Ca – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (www.maf.org), an aviation, communications and technology ministry serving more than 600 Christian and non-governmental organizations worldwide, today announced the results of “Operation ACCESS!” – a five-year global research project that provides critical, unprecedented information that will shape international evangelism, ministry and humanitarian strategies for the next 20 years.
The landmark study (www.operationaccessmaf.org), which focuses on pockets of people who are forgotten or heretofore unreachable, identifies areas where transportation, communications and technology barriers prevent or impede access to the Gospel or to sustained resources needed to enable community development, healthcare and education services. It assesses the nature and significance of the barriers, the degree of any ministry taking place, and suggests how the barriers can be overcome.
“Research shows that despite the extraordinary missions efforts of the Church, three out of four people alive on the earth today still have not heard the Gospel,” said Kevin Swanson, MAF president. “The Apostle Paul in Romans 10:14-15 talked about the need to ‘send preachers.’ But preachers can’t be sent unless the barriers that prevent their access and sustainability are overcome. ‘Operation ACCESS!’ is a strategic ‘roadmap’ to accomplish this God-appointed task.”
Swanson likened the potential impact of Operation ACCESS! to the “10/40 Window” strategy popularized by missions strategist Luis Bush.
Operation ACCESS! research is being made available to denominations, ministries, churches and humanitarian agencies around the world. Leaders were briefed on the study earlier today. Many are hailing Operation ACCESS! as groundbreaking research that will affect the focus of their work for years to come.
“MAF’s foundational re-analysis of its work and of mission work in general has produced a breathtaking new analysis of the challenge before us,” said Dr. Ralph Winter, founder of the U.S. Center for World Missions.
Charles H. Kraft, PhD., Professor of Anthropological and Intercultural Communication, Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Missions, called the study “one of the most promising projects I’ve seen in my 32 years at Fuller.”
Missions and agency leaders will be invited to a conference at the future MAF headquarters in Nampa, ID, Oct. 18-19 to discuss and plan how to work together effectively to use the Operation ACCESS! research.
Operation ACCESS! surveys covering 364 remote sectors in 64 countries found in every sector that transportation, communications or technology barriers prevent or impede people's access to the Gospel, resources for spiritual growth and basic services. Key findings are as follows:
* Fifty-two percent of all sectors present “significant” barriers to reaching people living in the area.
* Sixty-six percent of all sectors had little or no ministry in place.
* “Significant” communications barriers are faced in 89 percent of sectors; 56 percent of sectors face almost insurmountable communications barriers.
* Eighty-seven percent of sectors are difficult to access by road.
* Other barriers include: social and economic factors (75 percent); agency resources factors (61 percent); transportation and travel factors (23 percent); political and religious factors (21 percent); and geography factors (6 percent).
* Fulfilling the task of the Great Commission demands that barriers be addressed and strategies deployed to overcome them– and that they be developed in cooperation with indigenous and international missions groups.
* Surveys were conducted in 15 of the 27 countries where the top 100 least-reached people groups live (Joshua Project).
Founded in 1945, MAF stations some 200 missionary families in the remotest regions of 23 countries on five continents. MAF pilots fly approximately 40,000 flights a year, transporting missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conducting thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite phones, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems, in isolated areas.
2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of MAF pilot Nate Saint, who, along with missionaries Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian, was speared to death by Waodani (Auca) Indians in Ecuador.
###
MEDIA NOTE: Kevin Swanson and Ghislaine Benny are available for interviews regarding “Operation ACCESS!” and MAF. Please contact Naomi Frizzell at 904-262-5202 or nfrizzell@kingdomvisioncom.com to arrange an interview.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2006
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naomi Frizzell @ 904-262-5202; nfrizzell@kingdomvisioncom.com
Download press kit at www.maf.org/news/news/2006_06_05_operationaccess
Operation ACCESS! website: www.operationaccessmaf.org
REDLANDS, Ca – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (www.maf.org), an aviation, communications and technology ministry serving more than 600 Christian and non-governmental organizations worldwide, today announced the results of “Operation ACCESS!” – a five-year global research project that provides critical, unprecedented information that will shape international evangelism, ministry and humanitarian strategies for the next 20 years.
The landmark study (www.operationaccessmaf.org), which focuses on pockets of people who are forgotten or heretofore unreachable, identifies areas where transportation, communications and technology barriers prevent or impede access to the Gospel or to sustained resources needed to enable community development, healthcare and education services. It assesses the nature and significance of the barriers, the degree of any ministry taking place, and suggests how the barriers can be overcome.
“Research shows that despite the extraordinary missions efforts of the Church, three out of four people alive on the earth today still have not heard the Gospel,” said Kevin Swanson, MAF president. “The Apostle Paul in Romans 10:14-15 talked about the need to ‘send preachers.’ But preachers can’t be sent unless the barriers that prevent their access and sustainability are overcome. ‘Operation ACCESS!’ is a strategic ‘roadmap’ to accomplish this God-appointed task.”
Swanson likened the potential impact of Operation ACCESS! to the “10/40 Window” strategy popularized by missions strategist Luis Bush.
Operation ACCESS! research is being made available to denominations, ministries, churches and humanitarian agencies around the world. Leaders were briefed on the study earlier today. Many are hailing Operation ACCESS! as groundbreaking research that will affect the focus of their work for years to come.
“MAF’s foundational re-analysis of its work and of mission work in general has produced a breathtaking new analysis of the challenge before us,” said Dr. Ralph Winter, founder of the U.S. Center for World Missions.
Charles H. Kraft, PhD., Professor of Anthropological and Intercultural Communication, Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Missions, called the study “one of the most promising projects I’ve seen in my 32 years at Fuller.”
Missions and agency leaders will be invited to a conference at the future MAF headquarters in Nampa, ID, Oct. 18-19 to discuss and plan how to work together effectively to use the Operation ACCESS! research.
Operation ACCESS! surveys covering 364 remote sectors in 64 countries found in every sector that transportation, communications or technology barriers prevent or impede people's access to the Gospel, resources for spiritual growth and basic services. Key findings are as follows:
* Fifty-two percent of all sectors present “significant” barriers to reaching people living in the area.
* Sixty-six percent of all sectors had little or no ministry in place.
* “Significant” communications barriers are faced in 89 percent of sectors; 56 percent of sectors face almost insurmountable communications barriers.
* Eighty-seven percent of sectors are difficult to access by road.
* Other barriers include: social and economic factors (75 percent); agency resources factors (61 percent); transportation and travel factors (23 percent); political and religious factors (21 percent); and geography factors (6 percent).
* Fulfilling the task of the Great Commission demands that barriers be addressed and strategies deployed to overcome them– and that they be developed in cooperation with indigenous and international missions groups.
* Surveys were conducted in 15 of the 27 countries where the top 100 least-reached people groups live (Joshua Project).
Founded in 1945, MAF stations some 200 missionary families in the remotest regions of 23 countries on five continents. MAF pilots fly approximately 40,000 flights a year, transporting missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conducting thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite phones, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems, in isolated areas.
2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of MAF pilot Nate Saint, who, along with missionaries Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian, was speared to death by Waodani (Auca) Indians in Ecuador.
###
MEDIA NOTE: Kevin Swanson and Ghislaine Benny are available for interviews regarding “Operation ACCESS!” and MAF. Please contact Naomi Frizzell at 904-262-5202 or nfrizzell@kingdomvisioncom.com to arrange an interview.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
