We prayed in the last entry for unity in the body of believers who are seeking to share the good news with the Dong people. The following verses contain an excellent continuation how that works and what the church will look like as a result.

Ephesians 4:11-14
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

God has given the church all these gifts for the edification and growth of the Body. When believers who live among the Dong are exercising the gifts they have been given, the Spirit uses that to build up the body of Christ. It is simple obedience to use the gifts given that brings about church growth.

We want the Dong church to look like the one described in the second half of the passage above. It is inspiring just to read that and see how beautiful a healthy church can be. How can the Dong church reach that point?

As these verses say, all the saints (that is, all those saved by God) are to exercise their gifts to help equip others for the work of God and building up of his body until that beautiful product is attained.

Simply, we need to pray for all of our brothers and sisters among the Dong people for the courage to excercise the gifts they have been given for the service of the Lord. In praying for that, we are praying toward a church grown into the full stature of Christ, and thus one no longer susceptible to the tossing of deceitful schemes. That is our highest hope for the Dong people.

• Lord Jesus, we know our brothers and sisters who could have an impact on the Dong people are diverse, in both nationality and purpose. We pray simply that you would lead them to use the gifts you have given them. Then, regardless of their situation, whether they be a Dong believer in a village or a foreign believer conducting business in Dong areas, the Church will receive the benefit from their obedience. Use your children to equip each other for your work and for the building of your body. Then, the Dong church can grow to a beautiful level of maturity and stability in you.