Generally when a Christian wants to share the good news about Jesus with someone there are three overall categories of reaction. The first is Indifference. This usually takes the form of non-interest, or a polite hearing of the Gospel followed by a general rejection amounting to a “thanks, but no thanks.”

The second category is, Opposition. That’s pretty self-explanatory, but for the sake of the unfamiliar, opposition isn’t a simple rejection, rather it is a verbal or physical attack, or the threat of attack as a result of someone sharing the Gospel or anticipation that it might be advocated.

The third response is, Acceptance. Also self-explanatory, but for the uninitiated it is when upon hearing the Gospel someone believes and commits his or her life to Jesus Christ.

However, I think our Steppe-by-Steppe team has discovered a new category. We’ll call this the, Tell Me About Jesus, or I’ll Kick Your Butt category. We have to classify this as an actual category of response because, in Mongolia, we’ve run across it more than once! Yes. You read that right. Have you ever heard of anything in the missionary venture so strange?

It happened most recently when one of our teams was presenting a Bible movie and study to a group quite far away from UB. Without warning there was a power surge (not uncommon) and the projector suddenly fried in a lovely poof of smoke. The group of more than 200 attendees waited for the movie to restart, but sadly were told that the projector was kaput and the movie could not continue.

First came the usual grumblings of disappointment you would expect. But it was soon followed by shouts. Then people began rising to their feet. Then people started picking up their chairs. Then some began banging their chairs around in anger, demanding something be done! Several angry attendees said, “We’ve heard about Eagle TV’s Bible movies, and how good they are. We’ve been waiting for this a long time! Now we can’t watch them!” Some of the attendees were on the verge of violence.

The SBS team members have faced this before (minus the violent chairs). Solving the problem was rather simple—a promise to return quickly soothed the agitated crowd. Of course, when they return they’ll bring MORE movies, and do even MORE Bible studies, and as happens everywhere they go, even MORE lives will be changed.

I’m always amazed at the openness of Mongolians to want to hear the Gospel. I’ve read some reports in a few isolated locations where the Gospel isn’t received well. But those are truly isolated reports. In general, Mongolians are very interested in spiritual things, and are especially happy to talk about the Gospel when given the chance. While a few stick to the old Buddhist notions, in reality, the number of new churches being established is outpacing Buddhist temples and centers by 3-to-1. Most just aren’t finding truth and satisfaction in Buddhism. When given a free and open opportunity to learn about the Gospel and what the Bible teaches, most of our hearers are eager to learn. For many Mongolians, Christianity represents a truth they were denied for too long and they are eager to entertain its message.

You might respond, “Well duh, movies are a natural attraction—especially in communities that have almost nothing.” Certainly that is true. But in the average month that 4,000 people attend our movies, nearly all remain after the movie for a short presentation about Jesus, and roughly half to two-thirds of attendees return the next day to take part in studies to learn more about the Bible.

Many give their hearts to Jesus Christ.

For some areas of the world telling someone about Jesus could get you strung up. But in Mongolia, apparently, you could get your butt kicked if you DON’T tell them about Jesus.

Never in my nearly 25 years of ministry did I ever imagine such a thing. And yet I cannot help but try to imagine what might come next—except maybe flying chairs.

If you’d like to help replace one of two countryside-fried projectors, or sponsor one of three surge protectors, please email me.