“And then He [Jesus] told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” – Mark 16:15
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The answer to this question was abundantly clear after two weeks of the 2014 World Missions Conference at Victory Church. To be honest, I figured that at this point in the game, most everyone on planet earth must have–at one point or another– heard about Jesus and the Gospel message. But when I learned that Papua New Guinea has over 800+ languages–just one of many statistics missionaries share about groups of people who have never heard the Gospel–I knew I had to rethink my view of missionary work.
Filling the hallways of our church were table after table of missionaries with displays of the countries that they minister to. It was not only great putting faces to names, but being able to hug them and personally thank them for being out there on the front lines of the battlefield, was a privilege. These Christians are walking the walk, and I’m not talking about a walk in the park. When Jeff Dove took the stage on Sunday morning and laid out the harsh conditions which these missionaries endure: hostile governments, strange food, harsh climates (and even more hostile rodents) just to name a few things, I found myself getting more and more uncomfortable. But, at the same time, I was filled with gratitude for small things we take for granted like toilet paper and clean, running water. Why am I worried about Christmas decorations when my brothers and sisters in other parts of the world have no electricity, phone, heat or Internet? They can’t run to Walmart to get a gallon of 2% milk, and some areas they have no roads in, and only two planes out a week. It should seriously cause American Christians to check ourselves if we think we are too precious to go ourselves. And, if we’re not going to go ourselves, we need to do everything within our power to help support those who do.
The cool thing is that everyone was given their 2015 Prayer Book which lists all the missionaries, their locations, and contact information. We were encouraged to adopt a family for 2015, which we did (Dick & Jennifer Brogden), and we plan on not only lifting them up in prayer each day, but we will celebrate their birthdays and accomplishments as if they were part of our family. They serve in Egypt–right on the frontlines–and they need all the prayers they can get. Just like the other many missionaries who do without so people can hear the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God bless you and all of the missionaries worldwide,
Rebecca
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
