The Missions Venture 1304


When we approach the topic of missions and missions training the task is daunting. Missions is a HUGE topic with many paths that need to be considered. Global missions today has greatly changed over the past 50 years. The west is no longer the missionary sending hub that it once was. The vast majority of missionaries going out are ironically from countries that we (the west) are sending missionaries too. This is not bad or negative in any way. In a big way it is an evidence of success from the missionaries of the past. Their fruit is in turn making fruit. However, from the west’s perspective we still have a lot to offer. By far we are the most blessed people in regards to Biblical training and access to a plethora of resources that we can offer.

So when it comes to the missions venture we need to consider all the possibilities. Missions is a tough topic because it comes in just about every size and flavor. There are short-term and long-term missionaries from all age groups and backgrounds and all with different callings. Some might be called to minister to sex trafficked rescue’e, some might be called to minister to orphans, some might be called to meet humanitarian needs like fresh water, medical, etc… Some might be called to be pioneer missionaries going into an unreached tribe never contacted before from the outside world. Some might be called to inner city church planting. I could go on! This just shows that the topic of missions is a HUGE undertaking that requires general and specific training based around your calling, the country you plan to minister in, and the ministry you plan to do. Also, on the spiritual side of things there is a mountain of training that you need to go through in order to be equipped to wage a good warfare and to “wrestle against the powers and principalities of this world.” Furthermore, there is to topic of pre-field training in areas of support raising, communication, budgets, etc… The point is the missions venture is not something that should be taken lightly. For both the missionaries and their senders (and churches) there is a need to equipping so that we can do this task well.

It is my hope that these thoughts do not scare you from getting engaged in missions but that it would stir you up to get equipped. Missions is an adventure, a thrill and the heartbeat of New Testament Christianity (even through it is not treated that way). Missions is why the church exists. Oswald J. Smith said,

“Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.”

It is my hope to inspire more churches and individuals to obedience to the Great Commission at home and abroad.