Y2K "GOD'S ATTENTION-GETTER," MISSION TOLD - AND URGED TO BE READY TO HELP OTHERS

THE IMPENDING Y2K computer crisis is a wake-up call to people with their faith in the wrong place, according to one international missions leader.

The possibility of widespread computer failures at the start of 2000 - with what some predict will be far-reaching breakdowns in everyday services - is "God's way of getting our attention," says Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With A Mission.

The threat of the "millennium bug" and the recent economic downturn in Asia expose the Western world's breaking of the First Commandment - "You shall have no others gods before me" - he told YWAM's worldwide staff in a recent leadership letter.

"What are our two major idols in the West?" he wrote. "The economy and technology. These impending crises are God's way of getting our attention, showing us just how vulnerable our gods are. It takes only a little 'bug' to topple both at once.

"God is acting out of his kindness and mercy. He will do anything necessary to bring us back to himself."

Cunningham also warned that as the end of the millennium draws near there will be a growing interest in cults and the occult. "The fascination of a new millennium will capture the fearful and unbelieving," he said. "However as Christians we must approach January 1, 2000 as a simply man-made calendar date. Our God is bigger than a date... Only the Bible is God's Word."

Meanwhile YWAM's international leadership has advised teams around the world to ensure not only that they are personally ready for any disruption that may result as computers fail in the coming months, but also in a position to use the situation as an opportunity to reach out to others.

A research group spent a year investigating the Y2K issue - in which many computers are expected to fail to "read" the start of a new century, throwing their programs and systems into confusion - before drawing up a report that has been made available to leaders at each of the mission's 650 ministry centers. It has also been posted on the mission's international web site.

With a heavy emphasis on cross-cultural work, and staff reliant on international travel, communications and banking, YWAM is particularly vulnerable to system failures, the report warns. YWAM teams in parts of the developing world where Y2K-compliance is less likely are being encouraged to consider developing local support networks that can distribute supplies in the event of shortages, in addition to checking their own organizational readiness.

The research team was led by Steve Goode, YWAM's international director of Mercy Ministries, who said: "We want our people to think about their particular locations' preparedeness, and what will happen if this turns out to be a small, medium or large bump in the road."

Goode said that he was concerned at the "retreat mentality" of some Christians who were stockpiling supplies and "heading to the hills" for fear of widespread social breakdown. "In putting this paper together we wanted to ensure that we no not develop a similar retreat mentality, but see this as an opportunity to serve others who may be more seriously affected."

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