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The elderly of our world provide another vital target population. For the first time in our history, there are as many people over age 65 as there are under 18. Often the elderly are lonely, ill, poor or dying. They need the help and fellowship of the church. To be ready for living and for dying, they need Christ. In every local church we have energetic and devoted members who are approaching retirement age. Moreover, these unique members can reach those of their own age with the gospel.
Even the elderly, in many cases, have dabbled in idolatry or the occult or immoral sex. Consequently, spiritual ground is not easily gained in their lives. Their minds have been bound by the powers of darkness and much intercessory prayer is needed to reach both backslidden Christians and nonbelievers. However, it is not impossible, if Christians are willing to pay the price to pray.
We must minister to various races, nationalities and cultures around the world and to those pockets of people who come to the United States. Some 25 Million Hispanics live in the United States, and their number is growing. Migration from the Middle East has reached such proportions that Muslims outnumber both Jews and Presbyterians.
We can reach them when we deliberately seek to understand them. The apostle Paul said, “And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without law,” (1 Cor. 9:20-21).