Looking Forward
Most missionaries on deputation are quite knowledgeable of the field they’re going to. They can answer questions ranging from people and culture, to the latest cuisine and tropical forecast. In many ways, a missionary is like a walking encyclopedia of the country they’re traveling to. They grill themselves for every possible question and are prepared with the most solid answers. So, when it comes to knowing the country from a fun fact point of view, the missionary is fully equipped and ready.
Yet it’s not this knowledge of fun, country facts that will prepare the missionary for his future service on the field. If this is all he has, then he will find himself unprepared and ill-equipped for the task that’s set before him once he reaches foreign soil.
My own “deputation experience” lasted two and a half years as my family and I traveled to over two hundred churches across the United States. Our goal was to present our ministry and ask churches and individuals to partner with us financially. I had to be ready to present our ministry, preach, and field questions from the congregation as well as those that were discussed privately in the pastor’s office.
Surprisingly, only a couple people actually wanted details as to what my plan was once I reached Zambia. Looking back, I don’t think I even knew what exactly my plan was! When asked what we were going to do, I just said what I heard every other missionary say…”We’re going to Zambia to plant indigenous, self-supporting, self-propagating, independent, fundamental, KJV, Baptist churches!” Of course this was applauded and everyone seemed happy with the answer and I felt kind of smart saying it!
Although, today I kind of marvel that in the two and a half years of traveling, there was not one person who asked the question “How?” How are you going to plant churches? How will you adapt to your culture? How will you train men to be pastors? How will you reach the Zambian people when there’s so much conflict with their traditional beliefs? These were the most important questions and the ones that were never asked.
At one mission conference, I had the opportunity to meet a very prominent mission board director. In this particular state, this man was a household name. At the time, I had no idea who he was so I just sat next to him in the cafeteria and started up some small talk. When I introduced myself and asked for his name, he was almost offended! He got out his smart-phone and started to look up different facts about Zambia to make sure I was a good missionary. His first question was, “How many cars are there in Zambia?” It took me a few seconds to realize that he actually was serious! I hesitantly said… “a lot?” Obviously, I failed round one at being a good missionary so he gave me a second chance as he asked, “Where can you buy a suit in the city of Kitwe, Zambia?” Again, I don’t think I gave him the answer he was looking for because he got up and went to a different table.
Today, we have plenty of missionaries that now know exactly how many cars are in their country and where they can buy clothes but have no idea of how they’re going to fulfill their goals of reaching the lost. We look at missionaries who last only one term as a failure, and wonder why they didn’t make it. Although, what can we expect when we send off men to the foreign field who are not prepared for what’s ahead of them?
It’s great to have a burden to go to a certain land and reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Make sure, though, that you have a plan! Many missionaries waste the first three to four years on the field because there was no forethought into what they’d be doing or how exactly they would do it. Figure out what your goals are and then ask the question, “How can I reach those goals?” Write other missionaries that are already on the field, especially the ones in the area to which you are going, to gain a deeper insight into what’s going on. Get as much information as you can and then develop a strategy. Obviously, you need to be flexible and mindful of the Lord’s leading but it can’t hurt to be organized and think ahead!
What a good article. Are you writing these, or getting them from a book? Good things for us to ponder on our way to PNG.
Hi Mrs. Parfitt! Thanks! The article and stories are actually from our own life experiences! You all are in our prayers as you prepare for your ministry in PNG!
Very interesting article. Knowledge of “How” to plant churches on the mission field seems to be lacking in today’s missionary movement. Hopefully the trend will change!
I’d say that your encounter with that man was kind of awkward?
Yeah Austin! Just a bit awkward! Lol!
great article Damon! As Brad says: “Plan your work, and work your plan.”
That’s exactly it, Brandon!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this! I agree having goals and a plan is important. Sometimes the how isn’t hard; it’s faithfully doing the work day after day, patiently waiting for fruit and growth, and yet still having a vision for the future.
Hey Adam! It’s great to hear from you! You’re right in that the “how” isn’t necessarily hard. When on the field it’s so important to be consistent and faithful and for a missionary to have a vision and know how he can best work in his particular country.