AStudent FacesMissions
MISSIONARY SYMPOSIUM is it possible to use apostolic methods in modern missionary en deavor? tract or booklet form, a testimony in a letter, or a passing good word in a business transaction have all played their part in this impor tant Christian witness.
T his is not exactly a news story in the strictest sense of the word. Nor is it truly a feature. It conies more in the nature of a personal opinion as a result of a personal experience. Some would say, perhaps, it is an editorial designed to direct thinking into a particular channel. Although this is not the intention of this re porter, if it affects someone that way —praise be unto our Lord. Frankly, as a sophomore in the Bible college course, during the nor mal sequence of events, I entered the 10:30 class, prepared to come with an open mind to the subject of mis sions. As a Christian, preparing for full time service wherever the Lord should call, I have not received a di rect call to a specific foreign field. Nor do I have as great a burden for the souls of men world-wide as I should have. I had purchased the course textbook and had given it a cursory glance before coming to class but was just anticipating good, sound, well-rounded instruction. My atti tude was one, which I believe is typ ical of many today, that foreign mis sions are important but not neces sarily the most important. To say that I was jolted is putting it mildly. My awakening was so sudden and so startling I still find myself talking to myself about it. The professor didn’t say anything sensational. There were no theatrics or brilliant displays of oratory, but something jarred me harder than a left jab. He spoke directly to me, as though I were the only one in the room, and I know the Lord led me because I was acutely conscious of a great lack in my own life and that if ever I was going to really get down to busi ness about the foreign field, the ac cepted time was now. The pointed discussion of the pas tor and missions, and prayer and mis sions laid the challenge.right on the line. There can be no evasion of the issue here. “Two roads are in sight—one leads to the left and one to the right. Upward to win—downward to lose. Choose wisely and slowly, Oh Youth, ere you choose.” I believe that there were others in the class who experienced the same reaction. So when you pray, please remember us in Missions 201—that this time will be of the greatest per sonal and eternal value. Reprinted — B io l a C h i m e s
Yes! It is not only possible to do so but it is essential. By this I do not mean that we must limit our facilities to those that were available to the Apostles. Just be cause Paul didn’t use an airplane is no excuse for us to neglect the advantages of speedy travel. Among the outstanding promi nent apostolic methods are the following: oral preaching, work ing in strategic centers, itiner ating, engaging in personal evan gelism, using literature and train ing reproducers. Which is most needed at present: more missionary volunteers or more support for those who are willing and ready to go? It is difficult to say where the need is greatest because in some instances the funds are available but the laborers are few. In other cases there are workers ready to go, but without the necessary sup port. There are several reasons for this condition. We cannot look at it from a cold business-like point of view. God has His way of choos ing and training His ambassadors. Sometimes the discipline in delay proves to be the most helpful part of the missionary’s personal prep aration. Then, there is the possi bility that God is dealing with certain individual hearts in an ef fort to move them to give. It is our opinion that when God has a messenger prepared to go, the money will be forthcoming. The truth of the matter is that the need is still great for volun teers and also for support. What are the best ways to witness to the Jewish people? We can only suggest some meth ods which have proved helpful in our own experience. The gospel messenger must always bear in mind that “faith cometh by hear ing . . . the Word of God.” The principle objective therefore is to bring your Jewish friends into the exposure of the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit will do the processing. Many have been attracted to the study of God’s Word through the love and sympathy of Christian friends. Good Christian literature in
Keep in mind that Jewish peo ple do not care too much for the term missionary. To them it im plies that they are heathen and that they are an inferior people. They are truly lost if they are w ithou t Christ, but we should avoid using terminology wh ich builds up barriers and prejudice. Try to present the Messianic message from the Old Testament. How can we make the cause of mis sions appealing to boys and girls? In teaching the Bible, whether it be in the Sunday school or in the home, do not fail to give the missionary aspect of each lesson. Missions should not be presented as some special phase of God’s calling, it is God’s calling. Mis sionaries are not a peculiar type of human being, they are normal, gifted and devoted Christian peo ple. In fact, every Christian should be a missionary. We can’t all be foreign missionaries, but that will be determined as we yield our selves to the will of God. There are many fine and thrill ing missionary books prepared for boys and girls. They should be encouraged to read them. On one occasion we found that an afterTschool study club called the missionaires worked very suc cessfully. Where the group met for study they prepared scrapbooks on missions—which included clip pings, pictures, illustrations and stories. A missionary project al ways helps to stimulate interest. Even in the home, the setting aside of a certain portion of the Lord’s money for missions, and specific in tercessory missionary praying is of greatest importance. Missionary news-letters should be shared with the children also. Is it true that a need, and my ability to meet that need, constitutes a call? The missionary call comes to all through the Great Commission, but God leads us into different avenues of service, each contributing in some way to the best interests of world evangelism. As we walk in the Spirit and in the light of God’s Word, the Lord will direct us into the channel of His choosing.
37
N O V E M B E R 1 9 5 3
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online