The
Great Commission
By Kay Meyer
REACHING GYPSIES
FOR CHRIST!
Gypsies are often portrayed as a carefree fun loving
people, but the truth is they are a people dying without Christ. Did you know
that missiologists have identified Gypsies as one of
the unreached people groups? Or
that there are approximately 11 million Gypsies in the world today? Over
6 million live in
Several months ago I interviewed Rev. Larry and
Linda Merino on a Family Shield radio
program. The Merino’s are Gypsies that came to faith in Christ over 20 years
ago. During the program they shared the history of the Gypsies, talked about
their conversion to Christianity, the culture, barriers that keep Gypsies from
coming to know the Christ of the Bible,
and suggestions for reaching Gypsies. I thought my St. Louis MetroVoice readers would be
interested in this information.
In the 9th and 10th century
Gypsies left northern
The term ‘Gypsy’ comes from the assumption of
Europeans that the people were Egyptians. They received the name Gypsy from the
Germans. The Germans thought Gypsies were Egyptians because they had dark skin
and were fortunetellers. Egyptians were also fortunetellers. Later Egyptians
was shortened to Gyptians…then to Gypsies. In many
places around the world they are known as Roma.
The Merino’s were from a tribe of Gypsies that
settled about 100 years ago in
Rev. Merino shared how he came to know Christ. “Kay,
you wouldn’t believe it if I told you! I would have people come up to me when I
was standing in line at the supermarket. They’d say, ‘You need Jesus in your
life!’ Once a stranger came up to me while I was sitting on a park bench and
said, ‘The Lord told me you need to place your faith in Christ.’”
These people shared the saving Gospel message. Soon
he placed his faith in Christ.
Rev. Merino went home and told my wife, Linda, “I’ve
become a Christian. We are going to stop fortunetelling and turn our lives
around!”
Linda shared, “Larry is the kind of person who is
pretty gung-ho about everything he does. He was so excited about his newfound
faith! When he told me we were going to give up fortunetelling, I thought…he’s
gone crazy! Fortunetelling is our livelihood. How will we survive if we gave
this up?
“I had heard the Gospel because my brother, Tom, was
a Christian. But I thought I was too ‘bad’ to be a Christian. After all, I was
a fortuneteller. I couldn’t be a Christian. But, soon the Holy Spirit was
working in my life. And I, too, placed my faith in Christ!
“I was very concerned about telling Larry’s mother.
I knew she’d be quite upset. By becoming Christians, we would give up hundreds
of years of tradition. I was right. She was very upset!”
The Merino’s were disowned by their families when
they become Christians and gave up fortunetelling. For many years they had no
contact with them. Years later they were mocked when they attended Larry’s
mother’s funeral.
I asked, “Is being a Gypsy a religion, a culture, or
a race?” Rev. Merino responded with a chuckle and said, “Yes, it is a religion,
a culture, and a race!”
I then asked, “What is the life of a gypsy like and
what are some of the barriers in sharing the Gospel with them?”
Life and Culture of Gypsies
is a Barrier
Rev. Merino responded, “The Matriarchal Society is a
barrier. The women teach the children, take care of the home, and bring in the
income through palm reading. But, the
men rule the home. The wife must abide by what her husband says.
“Gypsy women are in bondage. They are in bondage to
Satan and the evil of palm reading, but they are also in bondage to their
husbands. Probably the single most difficult barrier is getting Gypsies to
understand that fortunetelling is not approved by God. Gypsies have relied on
this for over 600 years.
“The women are all fortunetellers. Most people think
this is a nickel and dime operation, but it’s really a very lucrative business.
The women bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
“Our ministry receives many phone calls and e-mails
from Gypsy women who have heard the Gospel and want to turn their lives over to
Christ. These women believe in Jesus, but their husbands won’t allow them to
stop palm reading. They ask us, ‘What should I do? Should I leave my husband?’
“We tell them not to leave their husbands. Kay,
please ask your readers and listeners to pray for these women and pray that
their husbands will also come to faith in Christ.
“The clannish nature of Gypsies is a great barrier.
Gypsies remain separate from the world. They have their own court system. They
do not attend school. Many cannot read. Gypsy men do not work. They think that
is the women’s job! Gypsies have a difficult time getting work. In
“But, in the Gypsy culture the older men are highly
respected. These elders are the gatekeepers. Change will only come through
them. To reach Gypsies effectively we must reach the older men.
“Another barrier is that they have a corrupted way
of thinking about Jesus. We must help them see that Jesus is not only for ‘Gaje’ (non-Gypsies).
“There is a popular story among Gypsies regarding
Christ and a nail. At the time of the crucifixion of Christ it is said that the
soldiers had a plan to put a nail through Jesus head. A Gypsy found out about
the plan and stole the nail. Rather than justification by faith, Gypsies believe
its justification by thief! They believe because this Gypsy stole the nail and
saved Jesus, it is all right for them to steal. They think they did a good
thing by helping Jesus. I’m sad to say that while I was a Gypsy I believed this
story was true!” shared Rev. Merino.
Reaching Gypsies for Christ
“Gypsies who hear and respond to the Gospel need to
be accepted by churches and Christians,” shared Linda. “When I first became a
Christian I was still practicing fortunetelling. My new church family accepted
me and loved me anyway. The Lord doesn’t ask us to be perfect or sinless before
placing our faith in Christ.
“We need to remember the Bible says, Now we who are
strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just
please ourselves (Rom. 15:1) and Now
accept the one who is weak in faith (Rom. 14:1a). We need to find churches
that will accept them, love them, and help them grow spiritually. Very
honestly, many churches push Gypsies away.
“Go to the oldest men you can find and ask permission
to teach the children, women, and youth. We find them responsive when we follow
this rule.
“Share the Gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to work
in their lives. Be patient and persistent. Encourage pastors to teach the lay
people to share the Gospel! The pastors are there after the lay people have
laid the foundation and gained their trust.
“Pastor’s just won’t have the chance lay people will
to build relationships and share God’s love. Pastors, help your laity learn to
share the Gospel in non-threatening ways. Encourage them to pray and wait for
Gypsies to ask questions. Plant seeds. Allow God to
work in their lives.
“Prayer is critical. If we can’t do anything else,
we can pray for Gypsies to come to know Christ. Be specific in your prayer
requests. Pray by name for the person you are trying to reach. Pray boldly.
Watch for God’s answers. And pray for us as we work in this harvest field!
“Remember that we don’t always know what to do, but
we know someone who does! Remember its God’s mission, not yours! Rely upon the
Holy Spirit for guidance and direction.”
The Merino’s have been overseas 11 times in six
years to help reach Gypsies for Christ. They can be reached at: www.newlifeforthegypsies.org
in
Kay L. Meyer is the founder and president of Family Shield Ministries,
Inc. and host of its weekly radio program. The program is heard each
Saturday at