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!

When I came to the mission field over ten years ago, I certainly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was like the newly enlisted soldier who signed up to go to war but found out later it wasn’t everything he thought it was going to be! Looking back now I can see how ill prepared I was. I was so green that if I got any “greener” I’d be switching color spectrums into hues of yellow! Needless to say, time has helped me learn a few lessons along the way. Thankfully, many of those lessons were learned by others sharing their own mistakes with me. Isn’t this the preferred method of learning? However, how much fun would it be if we didn’t make our own blunders as well?! It’s our past experiences that make us into who we are today. Whether we decide to better ourselves from those experiences is a whole different story altogether!

 Becoming a missionary is quite a lengthy process. Even after one makes the decision to enter missionary service, it will usually take many years before they can get to their respective field. With the current system, missionaries go on “deputation” across the United States to raise their financial support. It’s during this time that this new missionary will present his burden to reach a certain area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are many dangers that this new missionary can fall prey to throughout this time period.  Although, if you prepare yourself for these challenges beforehand, you’ll find that you’ll have a much more pleasant experience! Below is a list of four categories that a missionary can fall into if he’s not careful.

1. The Hollywood Pro

After making the same presentation several dozen times in different churches, it’s easy for the new missionary to become an entertainer. He has everything scripted out so He knows how to get the crowd, when to say the right jokes, and how to make use of the most popular cliché’s! Basically, this missionary turns into a politician. Everything he does, and everything he says is designed to draw in the money. I know that sounds pretty bad and that’s probably because it is. It’s easy to stoop to using marketing techniques in churches instead of relying on God to provide. Have you ever wondered why some missionaries have pictures of small, under fed children in their presentation around the same time they bring up how much money they need? The Hollywood Pro is a first class manipulator that preys on the feelings of others.

When I was on deputation, we would often see the same missionaries at multiple conferences. This turned out to be quite interesting because you got to notice a few things in their presentation. One man would always pull out the tears at a certain point and then pause for effect before he continued. Of course, to everyone there, this was a genuinely sincere man that was overtaken with the need. After watching the same exact performance three or four times at different meetings I wanted to yell out, “Faker!”

Being a missionary is not about show-biz. It’s about presenting the need of a certain land and showing what God is doing! Theatrics impress everyone but God.

2. Missionary Big Bucks

One of the greatest mistakes you can make on deputation is to start viewing everything through dollar signs. Missionary Big Bucks only thinks about the money and forgets that it’s God that will provide for his needs. Pray and ask the Lord how you can be a blessing to those you meet! Some of the best friendships we have are with people that we met as we traveled on deputation.

Deciding to be a giver and not just a taker can transform your whole experience with the churches you visit. Obviously, you need to raise money to get to the field but you don’t need to be obsessed with it. I was at one church where all they gave me was a little bag of quarters for a love offering. But the fellowship at that meeting was wonderful, and that weekend is remembered as a time of refreshment. Remember, there are other things that are more important than money.

3. Mr. Army of One

This is the missionary that views all other missionaries as competition. I know this might be hard to understand but we’re all on the same side! You would be surprised at how envious Mr. Army of One gets when he sees others succeed or get large love offerings. If you notice a fellow laborer moving ahead in some area or getting closer to his departure date, be happy with him!

I was at one mission’s conference and it was so sad that it was almost comical! There were around thirty missionaries in one room and as I sat back against the wall you could notice how they all were trying to outdo each other. They all had a bigger story and a lower life expectancy rate in their targeted country. It was like an ecclesiastical “king of the hill” as they all were trying to get to the place where they could rub shoulders with the pastor.

If it’s all about “who you know” then make sure you know Jesus Christ. He’s the one that will be helping you during this time.

4. The Lazy Loner

Because you’ll be traveling a lot, it’s incredibly easy to neglect your own personal devotions. The Lazy Loner has his list of ten messages that are good for any meeting he’s in and so fails to continue his own personal study in the Word. He never progresses with his walk with Christ and so he stagnates in his own idleness.

Be prepared to have a lot of extra time when you’re on the road. Because you’ll be the one speaking a lot in the churches you’re in, it might be a good idea to take along some preaching CDs to listen to in the car. If you don’t take steps to feed yourself spiritually then you’re going to have a long, depressing road ahead of you!

So, if you’re that “new missionary” that’s on the deputation trail, make sure to do things right. Many of the habits you form on the road now will follow through to your ministry on the foreign field. Don’t be afraid to ask veteran missionaries for advice and counsel.  I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work a long side some of the best missionaries in the country. It was from the wisdom and experiences of these men that I developed my own strategy and missions philosophy. Being a missionary is probably one of the hardest things you can do with your life but it’s also the most rewarding. May God bless you as you serve Him!

2011 was a great year! The last twelve months have brought many memorable moments! Looking back, we’re so thankful to have received our third child into this world. Joey is always smiling and brings joy to everyone around! Our girls have grown so much as well! With Felicia and Natalie in school now, they’re learning so many things and always have TONS of questions! Lisa has done wonderfully as we’ve transitioned from Kitwe to Chipata. She’s the best wife that a man could ask for and an excellent mother.

It’s exciting to start a brand new year! May the Lord find us faithful!

Here’s a great article that I came across on learning Chichewa. As a missionary, it’s vital to learn the local language. So, even though you might be studying something different, these principles can be applied no matter what country you live in! Enjoy!

“ 1. Learn a Few Words Every Day

Whether from conversations, listening to the radio, attending church, or whatever, just try to pick out a few new words every day that are in regular usage. Write them down and then ask someone, or check your dictionary, to figure out what those words mean. This is the fastest way to improve yourfunctional vocabulary, which is really what language learning is all about.

 2. The Golden Rule

If you can say it in Chichewa, say it in Chichewa. This is the most important thing you can do. Once you learn how to say something in Chichewa, never say is in English again. If you learn some greetings, then greet everyone in Chichewa. If you learn to order food in Chichewa, then never order in English. Every time your Chichewa improves by 0.5%, your daily Chichewa usage should increase by 0.5% too. Don’t worry – if the conversation breaks down, you can always switch to English. But at least try to use your Chichewa, at every opportunity, or you’ll never get anywhere.

 3. Have Long Conversations

Having the same short conversations over and over again will help build your confidence, but it won’t push your Chichewa further. Sure you can order food…now what? With language learning, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut.

To combat this, make a point of having longer conversations with a couple people every day. Ideally these will be people who don’t speak English, so that you have no choice but to rely on your Chichewa. The elderly and children generally make good conversation partners for this, as they tend to have a lot of patience, and will talk to you at length regardless of if you’re making sense. However, all kinds of people will enjoy your attempts to converse with them, especially as your Chichewa improves.

4. Learn the Basic “Question Words” Quickly

Question words will allow you to do two things. Firstly, they will allow you to ask questions – pushing conversations further, and also helping you with tip 3above. Secondly, they will be the single most useful clue towards understanding what other people are saying to you, and responding accordingly. Even if you only understand about 20% of what someone said, knowing what type of question they are asking you can help immensely when formulating your response.

5. Find a Teacher, but Drive the Lessons Yourself

A teacher can really help with learning Chichewa. However, there is a very big difference between a Chichewa Teacher, and a teacher who speaks Chichewa. Make sure you find someone good, don’t waste time or money with someone who’s not helping you. Further, drive the lessons yourself. If you want to learn something, ask for it. Understand your own learning style and direct your teacher appropriately.

Too many people get caught in ineffective lessons. Some get caught on one extreme of difficulty (learning the alphabet) or the other (learning extremely complex grammar), when they really need to be learning basic speaking skills. Others get caught with a teacher who doesn’t understand their learning style, and dictates to them rather than giving them a chance to speak and practice. Don’t get caught – drive the lessons yourself.

Also, whatever you do, don’t rely fully on your teacher – use them as one more tool in your learning toolbox. For instance, you can use them to help you with new concepts, words, or expressions that you’ve encountered during the week, or to help you better understand written resources you’re using. But make sure that you are also studying on your own, and PRACTICING (remember the golden rule!).

6. Find an Associated Activity

The more time and energy you focus on learning Chichewa, the better you will do. Still, it doesn’t all have to be painful conversations and disciplined book learning. Find something you like doing, and try doing it in Chichewa. For instance, like playing music? Learn some Chichewa songs. Then you’re not “studying Chichewa” you’re “playing music”, just with the spin-off benefit of improving your language skills as well. Depending on the activity, you might also make some new friends along the way.

7. Don’t Ever Let the Conversation Die…Ever

Say something…anything. As soon as you let a Chichewa conversation stop, you lose out on the chance to keep learning. Even if you only understood 15% of what was just said to you, respond anyways. You might look like an idiot (learn to laugh at yourself – an essential skill for language learning), but every now and then you’ll get something right, and the conversation will keep going. And when you mess up, you’ll remember the situation, and be that much more driven to learn and do better for the next time.

Another trick: if you didn’t understand anything of what was just said to you, either repeat it with a slight questioning intonation (this will at least help you remember some of the words for later), or throw a question word back. Asking “why?” (“chifukwa chiyani?”) or “who?” (“ndani?) is a great follow-up to a tough sentence, because not only does it keep the conversation going, but it also gives you a second chance to understand what your conversation partner was talking about in the first place.

8. Learn a Lot of Vocabulary

No matter how well you understand Chichewa grammar, there is no substitute for having a large vocabulary. Study from a dictionary or a learning guide. Don’t worry about memorizing everything perfectly – the more times you hear a word, the more it will stick with you. Studying vocabulary will help you pick out individual words during a conversation (even if you forget what they mean), which will then allow you to go home and learn them for the next time. (See tip 1 above).

9. Study Every Day

Fifteen minutes every day is a lot better than doing a few one hour sessions each week. Build a little Chichewa studying into your daily routine. Carry a dictionary with you to look up new words. Listen to podcasts while you’re on the bus or out for a jog. After a few weeks you’ll be amazed by your progress.

10. Commit, and “Embrace the Suck”

Learning a language is hard, it can be frustrating, and it is a long term commitment. Sometimes you’ll be making progress quickly, other times you’ll be stuck for weeks without feeling like you’re getting anywhere. Sometimes people will respond positively to your Chichewa, other times they’ll respond to your attempts by immediately switching to English.

Just when you feel like you’re making progress, a conversation partner will respond to your greetings with a long and incomprehensible flurry of…something you don’t understand. Just when you feel like you’re holding your own in a conversation, you’ll say something stupid and everyone will laugh at you.

But…that’s the fun of it. Learning a language is hard, embarrassing, fun, and empowering – all at once. It takes a long time. But speaking Chichewa will dramatically alter your lifestyle in Malawi. The better you get, the more fun living here will be. So keep it up, embrace the suck, and commit from the beginning, understanding that it’s not going to easy. The results will speak for themselves.”

 This article was taken from http://learnchichewa.com/chichewa-learning-tips/

From our family to yours, we want to wish you all a very merry Christmas! We’re so grateful for our friends and family back home that have given and sacrificed that we can continue serving here in Zambia! We’re looking forward to another great year in 2012 and hope that some of you might even be able to visit us here in Africa this coming year! Below is a link that will take you to our latest family picture. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Your Friends in Zambia,
Damon, Lisa, Felicia, Natalie, and Joey Matacchiera

Christmas is that time of year when you can get together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We all know this to be the sole reason for the Holiday. However, there’s also another main figure that most people recognize during this time.  He’s known as the jolly, old man that’s making a list and checking it twice! You might even see him in your shopping mall with scores of children that patiently await their turn to sit on his lap. We know this man as Santa Claus.

 The origin of Santa reaches as far back as the 4^th century to a Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, in modern day Turkey. Saint Nick was known for his kindness to children as well as his generosity in giving gifts. Through the process of time, this man soon became well known in his homeland and the practice of gift giving in his name spread throughout all Europe. The modern appearance of Santa was actually conceived in the 1880’s by cartoonist, Thomas Nast in New York.

This is history as we know it. Although, it’s interesting how a person’s background can affect the way he thinks on a particular topic. In the United States, the average American looks at Santa as a harmless idea. The mystery behind this man and his Christmas magic are the very elements that captivate millions of people around the world.

Living in Africa, I wanted to know what the average Zambian thought about Christmas and the idea of Santa Claus. I found that many people who lived in the small towns or cities were more familiar with a lot of western ideas. They’ve watched all the movies and the TV has become their window to the world. However, there was also a large majority of non-TV viewers that I talked to that had no idea who or what Santa Claus was! To them, Christmas was still in its purest form, a celebration of the birth of Christ and the New Year. I was surprised to see how many were repulsed at the idea of Santa and wanted nothing to do with Him! Again, this is where ones history and background come into play. The average Zambian looks at magic and people who fly as a common, real-life practice. I’ve had so many people tell me their stories of witchdoctors flying off at night. Naturally, when they hear about this jolly, fat guy that can fly, they immediately associate him in the same category.

 Here were some of the responses I got concerning Santa Claus:

 1. (When asked about Santa Claus) Santa who?

 2. I would never take a gift from him! How would I know where it came from?

 3. I would stay away from him because in the end I could be very surprised.

 4. You can NOT trust a man that can fly.

 5. If he practices magic then he is not good.

 6. He sounds like a man that goes against the Word of God.

7. I’ve never heard of him but I don’t like him.

 8. How can he fly unless he practices witchcraft?

 9. This man Santa can go to every child’s home in one night? He would have to be God to do that.

 10. I would not take his gift.

Again, here’s a totally different perspective on the topic of Santa. I’ll let you decide on whether you think he’s good’s or bad. Although, I have a feeling that if it came down to a vote, Africa would make a no-fly zone for the man in red!

Have a great Christmas and try to remember what it’s all about!

Our girls love playing in the rain! Every time there’s a dark cloud or it looks like there might be a shower, our girls grab their coats and run out the door! The slightest sprinkle is enough to cause smiles and jubilation in our home! Many times they’ll just sit and wait for the storm to come. Of course, if it’s too big of a storm they usually come quickly inside! Click on the link to see more pictures!

Felicia and Natalie – waiting for the rain!

It’s coming!

The rain is almost here! Group hug!

PLAY TIME!

Africa is a very spiritual place. A vast majority of people still believe in and follow the same traditional practices that their fathers did before them. Not much has changed throughout the years. Witchdoctors are still sought after for their cures of various ailments and diseases. The stigma of the “witchdoctor” has been lessened with other colorful titles such as bush doctor or traditional healer. From cuts and burns to love and employment, these spiritual mediums offer the common man guidance and the promise of a quick and easy solution to life’s problems.

 With the coming of missionaries in sub-Saharan Africa in the 1900’s, Christianity was quickly embraced in many countries. Many of the Africans looked at the Bible and this new theology like the Athenians looked at Paul and his message at Mars Hill. It was just something to add to their list of “spiritual” beliefs. The same can be said of the African response when they heard of a man called Jesus. Sadly, what we see today are many Christians who made a commitment to the true God but never gave up their traditional practices. Their belief system is made up of “all things spiritual”. When we go to many churches in Zambia we see mothers putting charms and necklaces on their children to protect against sickness and disease. Rituals and ceremonies are performed to invoke the spirits of animals and the dead. It is Christian men and women that are following these pagan practices while still professing that they are following God.

Under the umbrella of Christianity, the most popular group in Africa is that of the charismatic movement. It has permeated almost every facet of life and religious institution. Speaking in tongues, faith healing, miracles, and prosperity are the flagships of this particular faction. Like the witchdoctors, these charismatic preachers offer a quick and easy solution to life’s problems. They use God like the traditional healer uses charms. Somehow, they claim to have the power to make God do or give them anything they want. The message is this, “Give us your money and God will take away all your problems.” There’s no obligation, commitment or responsibility. You can see how this message would easily be accepted. The average African just wants a better life. He wants clothes for himself and his family and food on his table. He wants to make sure that those of his household are healthy and educated. This would be the desire of any honest man. So with this person’s “spiritual” background, the charismatic preacher is not much different from the witchdoctor. Both have their unique charms and magic that supposedly can help them and make their life a little easier. This is the main reason why the Charismatic and Pentecostal Movement is so widely spread in southern Africa.

Yesterday, I was listening to a Pentecostal “prophet” as he was preaching in Chipata and I wrote down a few quotes from his “talk”. Notice the underlying context behind his words and how similar they are to that of a spiritist.

1. “We need to create an environment for God to perform a miracle.”

 2. “I would rather worship than open up the Word of God”

 3. “You are not poor because you have no money. You’re poor because you have no dream.”

 4. “We serve a God that answers by fire.”

 5. “Your time is coming and when it comes you will have success!”

 6. “The wife of Herod will be a witness to your promotion.”

 7. “Your enemies will promote you.”

 8. “If you’re a child of God then it’s time for you to start enjoying your money!”

 9. “Everything that is dead in your life will come to life.”

 10. What belongs to me is coming to me! It’s MINE!”

The African can still be an African and live for God. The Christian, no matter what ethnic race or color is to put away the old, sinful ways of the flesh. The only solution to life’s problems is in Jesus Christ and His Word. The Bible doesn’t say that God will take away all our problems if we become Christians. Although, He does say that He’ll be there with us as we go through them. The Bible doesn’t say that we’ll all have lots of money in the bank, but it does tell us how we all should be content with what we have. The Bible doesn’t give us a “quick fix” for living the good life. Rather, we read how living for God is a daily decision and a constant struggle with denying our fleshly desires. There are no “demons” that are manipulating our actions and forcing us to sin. When we do wrong it is because we choose to do so.

Life is about choices and we need to choose to follow God.

The other day I was in town doing some work and I happened to pass by the police station. I thought, “This is great! Let me go in and just introduce myself since I’m the new guy in town!” I don’t think the receptionist quite understood why I was there. He asked me multiple times what I wanted and why I wanted to talk to the commanding officer. I don’t think they believed that I had come just to introduce myself! After I was led to the commander’s office I was asked again by the secretary what my intentions were. Apparently, she didn’t believe me either because she quickly sent me to the officer in charge’s office…

Some time had passed by now but I finally reached someone and… I introduced myself! Although, seconds after I was again barraged with questions! What is your name? Why are you here? Where do you live?  You’re a teacher? – What do you teach? Where are your rebel friends?! They may not have said that last one. Thankfully, the interrogation didn’t last long, but it was all business. Eventually, after we got to know each other, everyone was very friendly!

While I was there I met the police Chaplin. He invited me to come speak to the officers during their weekly chapel. They usually have about thirty to forty that come for the occasion. I think it’s a great opportunity and look forward to getting to know the men and woman on the force a little better… without the swinging light bulb!

Here’s a thought provoking article that I read recently by David Sloan. Enjoy!

“One of the challenges of living on the mission field is keeping one’s perspectives in order, never losing sight of what the priorities should be. A possible pitfall for the missionary is that, in contrast to a staff member back in the States, he is his own on-site boss. Though there should be a system of accountability, often this is not the case.

Understanding this dynamic, the missionary would be wise to follow a few principles to ensure that he is being effective on the mission field:

 1. Have a constant appreciation for the sacrificial giving by hard-working church members back home.

The Apostle Paul, the great hero of missions, concluded his letter to the Philippian Church by remembering their sacrifice in that “ye did communicate with my affliction….concerning giving and receiving…ye sent once and again unto my necessity” (Philippians 4:14-16). I enjoyed staying in homes when we travelled on deputation, because it etched in my mind the sacrifice of those dear families who work 40, 50, 60 hours a week, and give a great percentage of their income to support ministries like ours. It is good for me to be mindful of the fact that they work diligently in order for me to fulfill God’s calling on my life.

When I remember these men who leave for work before daylight, and return at dusk, it convicts me that I must be busy about my Father’s business, the business I was sent by these hard-working men to accomplish here.

But all too often, the missionary gets into a rut of casualness. He assimilates into the casual, laidback way of life on the field. He justifies his lack of busyness by telling himself two things: a) “I’ve already sacrificed by giving up my way of life back home,” and b) “It takes so much of my time to just live here and take care of the mundane needs of the family.”

One way to overcome this temptation is for the missionary to live his life by a schedule. Because the missionary no longer has a boss, such as he had at his place of employment during college; and because he doesn’t have a pastor to whom he daily gives account, then he must make his schedule his boss. He must get up early and schedule a few hours each morning to spend in his Bible and in prayer. He must schedule office time to study and prepare lessons and messages, stay current on communicating with his pastors back home, and keep his finances and administrative duties of the ministry in order. He should have scheduled time to do manual labor at the church house. He needs to have scheduled time of ministering to his people each day during which he goes soul winning, visits his members, has activities with the church people, visits in the orphanages, nursing homes, and hospitals, and many other such ministry activities. He has to have a schedule, and that schedule has to become his boss.

2. Never lose sight of the reason you were sent.

When Paul and Barnabas were chosen by the Holy Spirit to be sent out from the Church at Antioch, we read that they were separated “for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). The philosophy of twenty-first century missions should be no different from that of first-century missions: the purpose is to establish local churches, and teach them to go and do likewise. On each of Paul’s missionary journeys, he worked hard preaching the gospel and establishing local churches. And he taught them to go and do likewise. He was so devoted to this cause that he instructed his protégé to do the same in II Timothy 2:2: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

It was of these great churches on the mission field that he later wrote to the Corinthians, and this passage has become the challenge for our churches today to give to missions. He wrote that the churches in Macedonia [Paul’s mission field] had sacrificed beyond their power to give, though they were in a great trial of affliction. He wrote that the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality (II Corinthians 8:1-3).

This is a church that was started on the bank of a river, and whose charter members included the Philippian jailor and his family (Acts 16)! And yet the Apostle Paul worked, taught, trained and organized this church into one of the model examples of a missions-sending and missions-giving church in church history!

I hate to be blunt, but biblical missions is not going to a mission field and planting a garden and spending long hours canning or raising livestock. Biblical missions is not spending your days building a house on the mission field. Nor is biblical missions going to a remote village and teaching the people how to better grow their crops and how to more efficiently raise their livestock. If the only way to stay in a country is by humanitarian endeavors or teaching English, etc. then that is justifiable and fine and well. However, when this is the case, the priority and goal should still be to evangelize that community and to establish a local church.

The reason you will have a hard time finding anything left from a “missions society” from ages past, is that their goal was not to establish churches, but to establish schools and orphanages and clinics and teach the people how to make a better life for themselves. The church is the only institution you can establish on the mission field that will endure for the ages. Biblical missions is church-planting missions. The missionary should never lose sight of the purpose for which God has moved him to the mission field. He was not sent to the field to have a relaxed life and sit around the house and watch television. He was sent to reach the lost, and he should spend his time doing just that!

When a missionary’s weekly schedule is relaxed and allows for laziness, he becomes a hindrance to those who serve in the church on the mission field. The prospective preacher or Sunday school teacher begins to reason that, because they do as much work as the missionary, they should be on salary as well. Here are some interesting statements I’ve heard from prospective full-time Christian servants on the mission field:

“You are paid to come here and reach these people with the gospel. Therefore, because I’m helping you do that, I should get a cut of your income.”

In John 9:4, Jesus became our example in our labors for Him when He said,

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

 May we be busy about our Master’s business to reach this world while the Lord gives us daylight!”