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| Questions about: Getting involved in missions |
| Carter: (07/04/09) Hi, Jack. It's me, the Arizona or Colorado kid. I just got back from doing work in the 10/40 (for security purposes, this cannot be posted) and it was great. I'm so glad now that I did what I did a year ago.
I was wondering, though, about something I saw on this site. In a poll, they were asking who should go on missions, and most people said everyone, unless they are called to stay, and I know that some missionaries in the past (including, I believe, Hudson Taylor) have said that the need enough is a call for us. I don't agree. I believe I will be called to the nations, but God has given me a love for the nations. I feel that if people go on missions simply because there is need, they will burn out, because the needs are simply too great. There were needs in the world in which Jesus lived, but it doesn't seem like he was frantically running around trying to solve them. I believe a person must have the call of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit to do well in missions. What are your thoughts? |
| Jack: Hi, Carter, welcome back to the US of A.!
I think there is much truth in what you say. Working in a cross-cultural missionary situation, as you anticipate, is potentially very stressful. Peter Wagner speaks of a “missionary gift,” and I think that we could expand this concept to say that God expects to gift anyone He calls, whether it’s for overseas work or a ministry at home. The response of saying that “everyone is called to missions unless they are called to stay” can be confusing. Undoubtedly it is a desire to balance the idea that most people would never consider a missionary call! If we want to be more theologically accurate, we should say that all are called to God’s mission – the geographical location is irrelevant. But because of the tremendous needs in places like the 10/40 window, undoubtedly all of us should at least include “unreached peoples” in our regular intercession. Bottom line. As disciples of Jesus Christ, called to follow Him, we should all be daily seeking to follow His guidance, which He is eager to give us. Some of us may be quite surprised where we end up! I certainly was – but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! Now may the Lord guide you to the next place of service, Carter. jack |
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