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I have been on mission trips to a number of countries. I have been to the remote areas of South America witnessing to the Quechua Indians. On two different visits to Lebanon I went door to door to pass out Bibles in Shiite Muslim neighborhoods. Going to India last year was truly impactful. Preaching in villages where the gospel had never been proclaimed to people who imperil their lives when they become Jesus followers challenged me. There are very few experiences that rival sharing the gospel with someone who has never heard the name of Jesus!
Recently I made a different trip overseas. I had the unusual privilege to lead an SBC International Mission Board missionary cluster retreat in South Africa. It was like being a Christian USO troupe. Although I am not as funny as Bob Hope and we didn’t have any dancers, our job was to encourage our spiritual frontline troops.
A group from North Garland Baptist Fellowship helped with the children. Pastor Tony Mathews preached the Sunday morning message. Prestonwood Baptist Church supplied music leaders and youth workers. Everyone did a fantastic job. They are to be thanked for their willingness to give of themselves to those who are serving our Lord Jesus.
My wife, June, worked in the nursery and provided prayer support for me. I preached four mornings and taught four evenings. The messages were about relationships, family devotions and biblical examples of God’s supply of grace during difficult times. The theme for the nightly lessons was “Abiding in Christ.” Walking in the Spirit is no different on a distant mission field than in our Texas mission field.
Our missionaries need our prayer support. My family has prayed daily for 20 years, calling the names of a couple that has served in Africa. Some of our finest young couples are answering the call to go to some of the hardest places. We were with missionaries who were going to peoples who have never heard the name of Jesus. It is dangerous. It is dirty. It is demanding. They are willing to go. Let’s remember them in prayer.
Our missionaries need our encouragement. Individually we can lift them up by sending them a note or a care package. We can email them. We can call them. Occasionally let them know you are thinking about them. You can assist them by going to the field and working alongside them.
Our missionaries need our financial support. The Cooperative Program provides the best way for Southern Baptists to work together as we embrace the unengaged peoples. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is another funding channel for our missionary effort, as are the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions and our own Reach Texas Offering. Direct gifts to missionaries for ministry activities are obviously helpful. Giving is vitally important.
Being with the missionaries blessed me more than it did them. I am so grateful for their sacrifice. It is important that Southern Baptists keep their eye on the goal. Theological discussions on various positions within the Baptist Faith and Message are important. Debating practical aspects of living out our biblical faith needs to be done. However, reaching the unreached is what we do as Southern Baptists. Next month Southern Baptists will gather in New Orleans for the annual convention. We need to remember amidst the clamor of dividing controversies that our missionaries are embracing the ends of the earth.
Let us continue to give together. Let us go together. That means we must stay together. Our missionaries are counting on us. Reaching the unreached depends on it.
