You guys might think I’m crazy in all this, but I think it’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people.” As a teenager, John Chau sensed God’s calling to take the gospel to the people of North Sentinel Island. For nine years, he prepared himself to go to the island, live among the people, learn their language and share Christ with them. John knew the risks. He knew the Sentinelese had been violent toward visitors before, but he also knew God had called him to go.
“Deluded”
“Adventure bro.”
“Dumb American.”
These were just a few of the pejoratives used to describe 26-year-old American missionary John Chau after he was killed in late 2018 attempting to reach the “most isolated tribe on the planet” with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Indian authorities even called Chau’s evangelistic efforts to the unreached Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island, a “misplaced adventure in a highly restricted area.” But a closer look at Chau’s life and death reveal his Christ-like compassion, extensive training and preparation, and clear-headed conviction of his calling to the Sentinelese people.
“Every decision John Chau made–for nine years–was made with an eye toward landing on that beach,” said VOM Radio host, Todd Nettleton. “He counted the cost to answer Christ’s call to go into all the world. He was mocked and ridiculed, not only by the press and the secular world, but also by fellow followers of Christ.”
This year on the Day of the Christian Martyr, June 29, VOM will honor Chau’s obedient and brave example by adding his name to the 60-foot-long granite Martyr’s Memorial located at the ministry headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
According to church tradition, June 29 marks the anniversary of the Apostle Paul’s death in Rome. On this important date in church history, Christians around the world commemorate the lives of countless believers like Chau who gave their lives for Christ.
“What is it worth to us, each of us as followers of Christ, to see people come to know Jesus? What price is too high? That’s the question that John Chau’s life, and Day of the Christian Martyr, inspire us to ask,” said Nettleton.
“There are many ways we can die,” Chau said in 2018. “I’m going to the island this November and I don’t know what is going to happen, but I’m ready. I’m ready to lay my life [down] for the gospel.”
“I am personally thrilled that more people are going to know John’s story–the true story–because of this year’s DOCM resources,” said Nettleton. “My prayer is that God uses John’s example of sacrificial obedience to inspire many more Christians to obey Christ’s call to spread His love to every tribe, tongue and nation–and to the people we live next door to or work with each day.”
To help churches and believers participate in Day of the Christian Martyr, VOM has developed a free digital resource kit.