I am not going into missions work; I am simply transitioning mission fields. Formerly, I was a missionary at Penn State University, then at Outback Steak House, now through support raising, and soon to be through discipling refugee church leaders. Jesus states this truth in his commissioning to his Disciples.
Moments before departing to sit at the right hand of the throne of God Jesus spoke his famous departing words, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).
The word “Go” is a present continual verb better translated in the English to “as you are going” make disciples. If I am to go on living then this will mean fruitful labor for me, the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:22.
The question is not, “Am I a missionary.” If you have accepted Christ as your savior then you are indwelt with the Spirit of God, thus a missionary. Now the question comes, “How and where am I to live out this missionary calling?”
Often we answer the where question with some distant future place. “Oh, once I receive a promotion then I’ll be in the position to minister.” No, that is a lie. We never need more faith; we only need to act upon the current faith given by God in this moment. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline – for this moment and then for tomorrow when tomorrow comes- (2 Timothy 1:7). With rare exception, I am to minister where God has placed me now. Then like a ship with an open sail, to listen prayerfully to where he wants me next but all the while to have my efforts placed on this moment.
Pertaining to how we ought to live out our missionary calling God spoke, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,… “(1 Peter 3:15).
Last Tuesday during one of my support appointments, I felt the Lord prompting me to explicitly communicate the Gospel. After giving my support partnership presentation, I paused. Sitting at the table was a family of four children and their parents. A thick silence hung in the air as they awaited my next words. Silently, I began writing on a napkin. Each of the family members leaned in, intent on reading the napkin. The mother interjected, what are your writing and why are you doing it on a napkin? Without a word, I placed the napkin in the middle of the table. By this point, their youngest was standing on his chair to read over his siblings crowding the table.
“Faith alone saves but faith that saves is never alone”, the mother read. Everyone stared at me, their faces communicated, “people don’t do this sort of thing, explain yourself.” I smiled intently, “what do you think it means,” I asked their eldest child, age 17. She paused, “I’m not sure.” I waited, “Give it a shot, what do you think it means?”
“It means that you are saved by faith in God alone but I don’t understand the second half.” “Well what do you think it means,” I asked? Hmmm, faith that saves in never alone, she repeated out laud several times. The other 3 children and parents watched attentively. “I suppose it means that our works don’t contribute to our salvation but that they naturally flow from our salvation,” she stated inquisitively.
BAM, she acted as a missionary! That young woman explained the Gospel to herself and her entire family. All I did was jot a quote on a napkin and ask questions. I was prepared through diligent study of scripture and critical time with older men in Christ. Then when the moment arose, God laid on my heart how to minister because “the sheep know his voice and delight in following him to food” John 10.
Please pray for continued boldness through this season of support raising and that I would consistently remain in the word. The correct inputs always naturally bring the proper outputs.