The world today is in great need of the Christian missionary; the men and women who have a hunger for the lost souls of the world. The ones who are pulled toward the mission field, be it their own backyard, or to another nation will do whatever it takes to accomplish the goals God has laid out for them. There will be hardships, a lack of resources, and doubt. Every Christian missionary from Paul to those serving today have words to share with the next generation of missionaries. Here is some of their advice.
The Calling of a Christian Missionary
We are all called to missions. The moment we accept Christ into our hearts, we are a Christian missionary. But this should not be a scary thing. Our heart should be overflowing with joy over the saving grace of God that we should have the desire to share that grace with everyone. Your calling may be to share Jesus with those around you, but for some, that calling is much greater.
“True religion is like smallpox. If you get it, you give it to others, and it spreads.” – C.T. Studd
“Does it not stir up our hearts, to go forth and help them, does it not make us long to leave our luxury, our exceeding abundant light, and go to them that sit in darkness?” – Amy Carmichael
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” – Hudson Taylor
“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” — David Livingstone
“If we wait till we run no risk, the Gospel will never be introduced into the interior,” – David Livingstone
The Purpose of a Christian Missionary
The Christian missionary understands what they are signing up for. But they also know the ends justify the means.
“It were worthwhile to die if thereby a soul could be born again.” – Mary Slessor
“Never pity missionaries; envy them. They are where the real action is — where life and death, sin and grace, Heaven and Hell converge.” — Robert C. Shannon
“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” –Jim Elliot
“I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me.” – Hudson Taylor
“We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world, to do his work; and accordingly labor faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.” – David Brainerd
God’s Provision
The Christian Missionary need not trust in a church or organization to support them in their efforts to reach a lost world. They have learned that their trust must lay completely in God.
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” – Hudson Taylor
“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey
“You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael
“The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.” – Gladys Aylward
Christian Missionary: The Hardships
Not only is God’s provision foremost on a Christian missionary mind, so are the dangers and heartaches they face on a day to day basis. These too, missionaries place in the hands of the Father.
“I pray that no missionary will ever be as lonely as I have been.” – Lottie Moon
“There is no need for faith where there is no consciousness of an element of risk.” – Elizabeth Elliot
“When I cannot read, when I cannot think, when I cannot even pray, I can trust.” – Hudson Taylor
“If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated suffering.” – Adoniram Judson
“Missionary life is simply a chance to die.” – Amy Carmichael
Life’s Reflection
We all want our lives to mean something. To leave a legacy behind us, and our names remembered forever. For the Christian missionary, their legacy is the ones they leave behind. The lives touched through the message of the Gospel.
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.” – Henry Martyn
“There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” ― J. Hudson Taylor
“All my desire was the conversion of the heathen… I declare, now I am dying, I would not have spent my life otherwise for the whole world.” – David Brainerd
“Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell.” — C.T. Studd
Our Duty
The Christian missionary knows their calling is to spread the Word of God to those who have yet to hear. Our duty, if not to join alongside them, is to support and to pray.
“Prayer is the mighty engine that is to move the missionary work.” – A.B. Simpson
“If you are ever inclined to pray for a missionary, do it at once, wherever you are. Perhaps he may be in great peril at that moment.” – Amy Carmichael
“The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.” – C.S. Lewis
This article was written by Jeff S. Bray.
