It’s been called the 10/40 Window and “The Resistant Belt” because these geographic coordinates represent areas whose inhabitants are among the most adamantly opposed to Christianity in the entire world. And so that is exactly where some mission-minded students from Missouri Baptist University are going to spread the gospel of Christ.
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By LYNN TYLER
When you think of missions, what do you think of? Poverty? Malnourishment? What about eternal lives?
Matthew 28:19 states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The 10/40 Window, also referred to as “The Resistant Belt,” is a rectangle longitudinally 10 and 40 degrees north which consists of the most unreached people groups in the entire world.
Included in the 10/40 Window are South East Asia, India, Northern Africa and Malaysia.
It may be known as The Resistant Belt because it contains some of the most loyal religions known to man such as Muslim, Hinduism, Ancestral Worship and Buddhism.
A desire to serve in the 10/40 Window is a growing passion. However, any overseas mission trip may have dangers involved.
Max Wingate, a junior at MBU and a short-term missionary to the 10/40 Window said, “Most people are afraid to go there due to Communist and Muslims in the area.”
Brianna Jones, an MBU alumna, spent summer 2013 in Japan serving as a missionary.
“I was always drawn to Japan because of the depth their culture has in history as well as the intriguing differences between Japan’s culture and American culture,” Jones said. “These differences pushed me to understand that there is a deep need for Christ in Japan.”
When examining the reasons people in these areas worship Buddha, their ancestors, or other idols, their answers are typically because their parents did, and their parents before them.
Many had a toolbox of religions, ones they could pull out when convenient for them.
“There is a need to help others and lead them to the Gospel. And there is also a need for you to pursue knowing Christ fully through understanding the different people that God has created and how those people love Him,” Jones said.
Many students might ask: How do you get involved in overseas missions?
Right after graduating, alumna Shelby Shore signed up for the World Race, including not only the 10/40 Window, but expanding to 11 countries around the world.
Shore went online and applied, going through a long extensive interviewing process.
“Being led by the Holy Spirit to meet the needs before me,” Shore said. “Shedding light, bringing hope, spreading peace and love literally around the globe. Being the hands and feet of Christ.”
MBU also offers many opportunities to get involved with missions.
Campus Minister Jonathan White leads the mission trips on campus.
MBU students will be traveling to Bulgaria March 6-14, 2015.
If you have a desire to be plugged into a mission trip, please contact White at 314-744-5314 or visit MBU’s website to get more information.
Emma Tihen 
Jessica Kunkel