Shining the Light for 65 Years

   Tonight I am sitting on the porch of the small house we stay in when we are in the town of Xemac. It is on the edge of town, overlooking this small community of more than 5,000 people. I will never forget my first day in this town 26 years ago. We had to fly here in a small plane because there was not a passable road. We slept on the cement floor of the church and used a candle for light.

There have been many changes over the years here, but one of the most dramatic was the arrival of electricity. Following those electric lines came so many pieces of the developed world, both positive and negative. But what is very clear is what I am seeing tonight: the light takes away the darkness. All around the town is darkness, but there are small islands of light covering the mountainside.

While significant, this man-made light pales against the Light of the World that OCM has shared for the past 65 years. Jesus is our light, and we are called to share this light with the world. The Apostle Paul wrote, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8). Looking back from the days of Pastor Shih through today, we can see how OCM—through our congregation and our missions partners—has truly walked as children of the Light.

Today, we often feel like we are surrounded by darkness, and the reality is, we are. Just as the town of Xemac is surrounded by the night, each house here shines brightly because it is connected to the power grid. In the same way, we have The Light inside us. Our actions have the power to shine the Light of Jesus on everyone around us. Are we ready as a church to continue to shine His light for the next 65 years?

OCM: Shining the Light for 65 years.