For Several Months,, we have been publishing reports from India, Israel, Russia, the Philippines and other far-flung places in addition to places closer to home — St. Lucia, Guyana, El Salvador and others. Three months ago, we featured the spread of the gospel worldwide as providing one of today’s great challenges for our community. Yet we have stopped short of an urgent personal appeal to go and do mission work.
That’s normal. Rarely is such an appeal made. No one thinks the only place to preach is in the mission field; as the Bible seminars have shown, there’s plenty of opportunity in our own backyards. Furthermore, preaching is not the only work in Christ; it is just one of a host of activities, along with teaching, ministering, giving, administering, exercising faith and compassion, etc. (Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:8-10; Eph. 4:11). And the one who would make the appeal probably feels hypocritical, as he thinks he should be doing it himself instead of exhorting others. In addition, everybody knows that very few of us can actually go into the mission field at any given time; life’s circumstances don’t permit it.
For all these reasons, and more, we find notices of need, but seldom a strong, direct appeal that you should do mission work. This is such an appeal: that you should go, or, if you can’t, that you help someone else to go to the mission field — for Christ’s sake, for the gospel’s sake, and for your sake. We say, for your sake, because the personal benefits are probably greater than any others.
Immersion in the spiritual life
We experience it at Bible school; a week away from normal activities, centered around the word of God and the company of other believers gives many a taste of the kingdom and recharges their spiritual batteries. Eight weeks on Truth Corps does the same thing, only more so, as some have found that experience can have an impact for many years, maybe even a lifetime.
In some cases, mission work is Truth Corps in a less structured environment. The very name, Spanish Truth Corps, accurately conveys that idea. There will probably be a major difference, however, between any mission work and Bible campaigns based in North America. A significant part of most mission work is service to baptized brothers and sisters. This is why those of almost any age have some place in mission work and why immersion in the spiritual life can be so complete in the mission field. You will be not only mailing invitations or going through some basic presentation on signs of the times, you will also teach scripture at all levels and discuss the full range of ecclesial situations — and these will be your main activities day after day, week after week.
The beneficial impact on one’s own spirituality can be inestimable!
I can’t do it
That may be true, today. You cannot and no one thinks you can, not even those you have been sent to serve. But they will appreciate your being there and they will help you adjust and grow into the work.
People may live under radically different circumstances and may have widely varying customs from us, but underneath, there is a surprising commonality of characteristics and social relationships. Those we are serving will have seen a young person who is a bit too sure of himself, all set to have some humiliating experiences. If he/ she stumbles but, through the strength of Christ, keeps trying again, they will respect the worker for his work’s sake. If they see a novice in the word, they will gently help him along and direct him to where he can be most helpful. (It is unbelievable how quickly one becomes intimate with the first principles upon spending hours a day at Bible study.) Those in the mission area will assist older couples and arrange for their needs. They will guide a sister to help with Sunday school or instruct other women. They will recognize the senior brother who is hard to understand and ask him to slow down and explain himself more clearly.
Whether in India, Panama, El Salvador, Latvia or the Solomon Islands, you will be dealing with people who want you there, who are so thankful you have come and who will help you serve them. You might not be very competent when you start, but it won’t be long before you have found a spot and are serving effectively those who are yearning for help in the Way and for drinking from the living waters.
A new perspective
Virtually all mission work is among brethren or people who have already expressed an interest by answering an advertisement of some kind. Today they are most likely to be in societies which are being freed from the shackles of communism or Roman Catholicism or where religion is of great importance to people. Many we contact will be thrilled at the simplicity and clarity of the first principles in contrast to the personal hopelessness of communism or the mysteries of their past religion. We may be used to people shrugging off a clear explanation of life after death because, fundamentally, they really don’t care about religion. It’s a totally different experience when someone’s eyes light up as he finally sees the logic of the return of Christ and of a bodily resurrection. It helps us truly appreciate the clarity and power of the fundamentals of the faith.
Frequently we see real-life ecclesial problems with greater clarity. In our home ecclesias, we may not be exposed to problems which exist or they may be adroitly covered up. In the mission field, however, we’re very likely to feel we’re back in a first-century setting, with the veneer of life stripped away. When brutality is out in the open and corruption is not hidden, we begin to see how much the gospel really is intended to change lives. In many cases, the missionary is able to see how the same spirit of lust and malice is evident in his home society, and in himself, only manifesting itself in a more subtle manner.
There is something else that comes clear — most mission work is in “developing” countries, some of it in very poor ones. Living under such circumstances on one hand makes us thankful for clean water, paved roads and advanced medical services. On the other hand, it exposes the vanity of our materialistic societies. The transitory nature of what we buy, the excesses of our lives, the continued confusion of wants with needs stands out with stark clarity when viewed from a one-room house which is home to five. They are getting by, but they are certainly looking for the kingdom much more than some of us. What good are all the toys we have and sophisticated gadgets we seek if all they do is captivate our lives and sap our zeal for God? Many a person has come back from the mission field with their views permanently altered about what is important in life. No longer was a snowmobile a winter necessity or a wave runner essential to enjoy the beach.
Do it for yourself
This is a personal and direct appeal for you to participate in mission work; or, if you can’t, help someone else who can. We make the appeal not only because there is a great need in many countries around the world, not only because the time is short before our Lord’s return, but also because it will be good for you or the one you help.
It may be much more than good, it may be spiritually transforming. It was for me, it was for those close to me and for many others, and it probably will be for you.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One