Jun 24, 2014
The Joy of Missions
by Pastor Shirley Morgan
News reports from around the world tell us that Christians are being persecuted for their faith, missionaries are thrown into prisons, and many suffer hardship because they are carrying the Gospel to those in need.
Why would anyone leave the comfort of their home to suffer such fates? The answer is simple: it is the joy of carrying out the most important mission on the face of the earth which is sharing the Good News of Salvation with a dying world.
What is joy? Dictionary.com describes it as: “a feeling of great happiness, the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying, keen pleasure, elation.” This definition is perfect—it puts in words the feeling I experience every time I have the opportunity to share God’s Word with others.
My experience in missions is not the result of a well-organized plan to go to foreign fields and share the Gospel (although I had dreamed about being a Missionary). It is the result of allowing God to use me in the midst of a situation I was not prepared for. It is trying to “bloom where planted,” understanding the Word of God that tells us that “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
Even though I grew up on this island off the coast of Nicaragua, returning after 23 years was like going to a foreign land. If there was poverty when I was growing up, I was unaware of it. Everyone at the time had their own beautiful houses and this was thriving community. So much has changed since then!
This paradise is now plagued with poverty and lack of spiritual upbringing. I suddenly found myself in the midst of a chaotic situation and realized that I did not have to go to Africa or faraway lands to be a missionary.
This realization propelled me into starting a Children’s Ministry reaching out to children from all walks of life in my own neighborhood. The children are from different spiritual backgrounds—some go to church with their parents on Sunday and others don’t attend church anywhere.
In January 2014 the Lord allowed me to start a second group in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. The service is done in the yard of a grandmother who expresses that this is a “God thing” because there is so much hate, anger and curses in the neighborhood. The service is held on Sabbath afternoon and is attended by a considerable group of children. Immediately following the children’s church, a second service is held for adults from the area. Reaching out to the youth is a challenge in itself. However, this part of ministry continues to be an integral part of the outreach.
A feeling of great happiness comes from knowing that these children are learning lessons from the Word of God that will enable them to make good choices as they grow up. It is the understanding that I am investing in their lives and that there will be a harvest in the future that makes every effort, every struggle, every criticism, worth the while.
The joy of missions comes from knowing that you are part of a bigger plan; that people all over the world are risking their lives, leaving their comfort zones to spread the news that God really loves the world.
Where does the joy of missions comes from? I am glad you asked, so let me tell you:
- The Joy of Missions comes from the smile on a child’s face because they have learned a new song that tells them of Jesus’ love.
- The Joy of Missions comes from the cheerful voice of a child calling out your name just to let you know that they can recite the memory verse.
- The Joy of Missions comes from seeing the children, some barefoot, some with tattered clothes, fighting for a front seat so they can listen to Bible stories.
- The Joy of Missions comes from the willingness of the children to help carry the equipment over the rough terrain to the place where service is held.
- The Joy of Missions comes from hearing a grandmother saying, “Now they are not cursing but singing the choruses.”
- The Joy of Missions comes from going into the alley and lanes taking the Gospel to the lost.
- The Joy of Missions comes from meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of a people who are discriminated against.
- The Joy of Missions comes from the encouragement of these people when you are down and considering giving up.
I could continue one but I believe that you get the picture.
As Christians we are all called to missions. However, most will never experience the joy of missions because they have bought into the deception that they are not called to the mission field. Your mission field doesn’t have to be in Africa, or some other poor country—it can be right in your neighborhood.
How many of your neighbors are in need of the Savior? How many of your coworkers and those closer to home? How many of your loved ones?
Missions require the following:
- A heartfelt passion for lost souls; the understanding that Christ’s mission must be our mission.
- Perseverance in the face of trials and temptations, allowing the blocks that Satan hurls at us to become stepping stones to bring us higher in the Lord instead of stumbling blocks.
- Forehead like flint that deflects the schemes that the enemy of our souls throws at us.
- Steel-rod backbone that keeps you standing straight even when things are crumbling around you.
- And a host of friends willing to bear you up in prayer as you go to the mission fields and be poured out for a people in need of the Savior.
Join me in living out the Joy of Missions!
