BEING A PART
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” Romans 10:15, ESV
Theme: Even if you can’t go yourself, you can send others by generously supporting financially.
THE GLOBAL CHURCH
If you grew up in a Christian church, mostly likely you learned about world missions. Most denominations have a “missions board” or a “women’s missionary union” or an association for sending people all over the world to share the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus. Did you know South Koreans and other nationalities even come to North America to share Jesus in areas where the American church is just not getting it done? Organizationally, the church knows and teaches “go and make disciples.”
REAL LIFE
In the Baptist tradition, we had “Girls in Action” from about the first grade. I went every single Wednesday night of my young life and to summer camp for a week. I made a commitment to give my life to God as a missionary. I was thrilled to tell my parents and grandparents; except I kept saying my next step was to go to the cemetery instead of the seminary! They thought that was hilarious.
But life got in the way: high school, college, falling in love, marrying, having children, and moving far away to the oil fields of Wyoming. Soon after, Mike was called into ministry, and we did indeed go to seminary, but I worked full time while he attended, studied, and worked part-time jobs. I thought about that long ago commitment but didn’t know how it would ever be possible. We talked about missions, but God closed every single door and sent us to a very traditional church.
ORDAINED TO GO
When we felt God’s call to plant a new church, we went to a “boot camp” for church planters. At the end of those few days, we were prayed over and appointed as “missionaries.” That was great and we knew the path ahead was exactly where God wanted us. I thought maybe this was the fulfillment of that long ago call to serve Him in missions. We saw His leading and blessing. But the dream of going to a foreign mission field still tugged at my heart.
In 2004, one of The Cove Church members asked if Mike would go on mission with him. Dave had been on many mission trips and wanted to take a Cove team. Mike and I talked about it, but his schedule would not allow it. So, Dave said, “Why don’t you come?” I was stunned. Me? Go on a mission trip? But that simple invite was enough, and I jumped at the chance.
CALLED TO SEND
The reality is that you need to be “sent” to go on mission. Even if you have all the money in the world, you need to invite and involve others in your journey. This is a huge, scary part of taking that step and saying “yes.” When I called my parents, then later sent them a letter with details and my “ask” for prayer and/or for financial support, I was so surprised. My mother, also having grown up in this environment of international mission focus, said, “I have always, always, always wanted to go. I am so glad that I get to send you to go for me.” It was a tremendous joy to her to see us reach people across the world with the love of Jesus. To see The Cove become passionate about serving both near and far thrilled her heart. She had loved supporting missionaries throughout her whole life, and now she was sending “short-term missionaries” who she knew personally.
Make It Personal: If you have a heart for sharing the love of Jesus—near or far, a short-term trip will change your life. If you can’t go, but you care passionately about an under-fed and under-educated child on the other side of the globe, you can give and sponsor them. If you know someone who feels called to go, send them! You can do that by praying for and with them, by providing financial support, or by sharing their journey with a friend who might be interested in supporting them. Ask God how you can be part of the mission!
Pray: Lord, thank You for inviting me—for inviting all believers!—to join You in Your rescue mission to the world. I want to be obedient in whatever You ask of me: going, praying, sending, or paying. For I know everything I am and everything I have comes from You. I want to share Your love and the incredible gift of Jesus to others. Send me. Use my resources. Help me joyfully support others as they go. I commit myself to Your global rescue mission. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 16:7-10
Weekly Memory Verse: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” Romans 10:14-15, ESV