Plow Burners For Christ

The story of Elisha tells of a devoted man who, in a powerful act of faith, set his plow ablaze as a sacrifice to the Lord. This decisive moment symbolized his commitment to abandon his former life and embrace the divine calling that beckoned him, leading him to a path of service and purpose (1 Kings 19). Early on, my mission encouraged us to be Plow Burners for Christ. To leave our past and work toward a new ministry in the least-reached areas.

Elisha – The First Plow Burner

I Kings 19:19-21 says, “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. ²⁰ And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” ²¹ And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.” (ESV).

Elijah, right after hearing the sound of God’s voice, whether it was a quiet or booming voice, he became encouraged. The first step after Elijah’s great disappointment was to find a partner. To not work alone but to find one who can team with him for the great task before him.

For Elijah, this partner was Elisha, who, when found, was busy plowing his field with a yoke of twelve oxen. As a religious farmer, he knew how to labor was and wanted to put his wealth toward serving God.

Elisha demonstrated a break from the old life to a new way of living. His bridge-burning yoke of wood symbolized leaving his farm to live dependent on God. Luke 9:62 references this commitment when the Lord Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (ESV). Looking forward and not back centers our commitment.

Ministry of Plow Burners for Christ

Ministry is plowing… plowing fields not physical ones, but spiritual ones that could be white to harvest. Yet, for most of us, plowing begins our ministry. Many years ago, I asked myself if all fields were white to harvest? Apparently not when plowing is necessary, followed by planting. In John 4, it speaks about the Samaritans who historically heard the prophets Elijah ( 1 Kings 17) and Elisha (2 Kings 7), along with other numerous prophets. This Samaritan’s field was ripe and ready for change and the gospel of Christ. Especially since we know that others had labored and planted the seeds. The people hearing Jesus and the Samaritan woman desired a connection to God more than than their local worship on the hill.

The Jews separated from the Samaritans, and even the religious Jews neglected to reach out to them. Yet, Jesus reached them and engaged them in conversation. Now they were ready to hear, their hearts were white to harvest. Yet their hearts were awn uncultivated ground, had not heard before. The area classified as a least-reached area where the others had not gone. However, to be there and establish something began with Jesus. The Samaritans were not barren, but full of potential. They are the foundational areas of need—places where laborers need to go and plant seeds.

Daniel Bubar – A Plow Burner

Some ministries are plowing ministries – in other words, least-reached areas. Other ministries focus on the white-to-harvest regions that have so many opportunities to serve in. Many parachurch ministries consistently over the years have done this second type of ministry. In my book, Daniel Bubar: His for Hungary, I mentioned a great deal about Word of Life Fellowship (WOL). They started in NYC and worked with established churches that needed help to grow and reach out to the youth of the world. Their clubs, camps, and Bible Institutes were built on the grassroots of Christianity in the local churches. Without this and obviously God’s enabling, most of their programs would not have taken place. They started something new, but in a realm where a harvest already existed. The churches needed their help and encouragement.

Differences in Burning Plows

A plowing ministry is different. Plow to get rid of rocks, plow to establish furrows so seeds and water can be channeled to bring some sprouting of growth. This type of ministry differs and takes much more effort. Oftentimes, less production and fruit. Many years ago, my teammates in Central Asia were from New Zealand, and I had a love for kiwis. Actually, my first kiwi that I ever saw or tasted was at WOL Inn in NY, as some wedges were cut for breakfast.

My love for them led me to inquire about how to plant a Kiwi tree. I hoped to plant a tree and let it grow in our yard. My Kiwi friends from New Zealand said that a Kiwi tree is quite challenging to take care of, and the fruit of the tree does not come till after seven years of growth.  Wow, seven years. I need to labor for seven years to see one Kiwi to eat. Well, I thought I could labor more diligently in the local bazaar to find a kiwi that rarely appeared than to plant a tree or bush in the hope of having a Kiwi someday.

Daniel Bubar and I were both plow burners for Christ, but we served in two different types of ministries. God’s calling was similar, but our directions differed. These are some of the ideas covered in the narrative about his life.