For the past week, international news has covered the death of U.S., missionary John Allen Chau. Sometime between November 16 and November 18, Chau was killed by the North Sentinelese on the isolated North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean. He was there to share the gospel with this unengaged-unreached people group.
Media sources and social media feeds rarely communicate a balanced perspective. While I did read one article that was a display of fair and balanced journalism, most labeled Chau as a health risk, colonialist, and/or mentally ill.
This special episode of Strike the Match provides the other side of the story. My guest is Dr. Pam Arlund, a member of the International Leadership Team with All Nations. Dr. Arlund served as a Bible translator and church planter in Central Asia for ten years. She now trains and coaches others to make disciples and multiply churches. Dr. Arlund is a well-informed, credible source.
Chau was a missionary with All Nations. According to Dr. Arlund, he received training, had an entrance strategy, and had a strategy for life and ministry on the island.
Dr. Arlund also speaks to the matter that before leaving, Chau received some health care training, worked on obtaining proper vaccinations, and quarantined himself before getting on the boat. She also addresses the concerns regarding colonialistic practices and Chau’s sanity.
One matter that came as a surprise was that Chau believed the travel restriction had been lifted from the North Sentinel Island. According to the articles linked below (shared by Dr. Arlund), the travel ban was lifted earlier this year until 2022. This included the ban on the North Sentinel Island.
India: Andaman Islands-Restricted Area Permit Abolished
No More Restricted Area Permit for Foreigners Visiting 29 Andaman Islands
29 Islands in Andaman and Nicobar Removed from RAP
Dangerous Tribe Islands to Open to Tourists for the First Time-Despite Previous Murders
We need to pray for the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7) for Chau’s family, friends, and those connected to All Nations. They mourn. For them, this is a hard reality. May we remember our brother who gave his all for the advancement of the Kingdom.
“John fell in love with a people that he never met,” says Arlund, “and that he loved them even at the moment they were attacking and killing him.”
Listen. Share. Discuss. Go.
All Nations may be reached at AllNations.US or by email at info@allnations.us
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I pray that a seed was sown before John died.
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I doubt Chau was mentally ill but was certainly misguided. He absolutely knew the risks he was taking yet he chose to go to an island where visitors are forbidden. When will religious zealots get it through their heads that not the whole world is interested in their religious beliefs. I was raised catholic and left the church 50 years ago with no regrets. I am not interested in any organized religion and when the Jehovas Witnesses or Mormons come to my door it pisses me off. I don’t begrudge their beliefs so don’t push yours on me. I read that Mr. Chau went to a missionary training school and supposedly “aced” his test. NOT. Got news for Mary Ho and and her organization. Putting a trainee on an empty road with instructors who are supposed to speak gibberish and have your student convert them is a long stretch from what I would call success. Ever hear of live and let live? The Sentilinese have survived on their island for 60,000 years and obviously do not want your religion or visitors. its called respect!
Yes dear Lord Jesus we know John his life was not in vain.
It brought your love to the island
and a special seed is planted.
May the Lord comfort the family he left behind & may his sôul rest in péace.
He was indeed a true soldier of the cross.
Thank you, Rosie, for sharing. I agree with you that Chau knew the risks. He also knew that Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). One of those commandments included “Go…and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). Jesus never said to force someone to believe, but give them the opportunity. For in doing so, one is showing respect and love for neighbor because a day of God’s judgment against sin is coming whether we believe that to be true or not.
Thank you for this great conversation. It’s probably the best one I’ve yet heard (from a public source) regarding John Chau. Thank you for asking the right questions and thanks to Dr. Arlund for the articulate and focused responses. I was in contact with John for some time before he made his most recent efforts and am writing a piece on him as well. I will share it here when it’s finished. (Possibly tomorrow).
You are welcome, Adam. I appreciate your kind words. Glad you are writing about your experience.
Hello JD. I mentioned I was writing an article/story on John Chau, since we knew him in the years before he became a big news story. So I wrote about what his life and death has meant to us, particularly as fellow missionaries trying to reach unreached people groups. You can read what I wrote here, and feel free to share it if you would like:
http://madmissions.com/2018/12/our-friend-john-chau-a-buried-seed/
Thank you, Adam, for sharing.
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How does one measure the length of a vapor or the reach of the cross? Only God knows such marvelous things. I know one thing; a spam of a few years lived in pure love is far better than 100 years of mediocrity. I have a feeling the same passion that took Jesus to the cross took John Allen Chau to those lost on that island. True love is expensive, but worth the cost. The work was not in vain, in Jesus Name.