ety. I see to it, as far as possible, that every one of my 240 elders par ticipate in world evangelization. Every boy and every girl in our Sun day school makes out his own “faith promise” offering envelope for mis sions. We seek to get total participa tion. It’s amazing what God is able to do. When a child becomes seven years of age, we carefully instruct him how to make out his own offer ing envelope. We want him to do so that he may give as an individual. Thus, when they grow to be men and women, they know how to give. Last year, our Sunday school gave $211,- 000.00 to our foreign missionary work. What wonderful co-operation! This work is far too important to hand over to any one organization. Everyone must catch the missionary spirit and do something. Our gifts come from a multitude of ordinary people. At one time, an official of the foreign mission board of a large de nomination in Canada came to me for the secret. I told him there was no real appeal in a cold, statistical budget. Get it to the hearts of the people where they can see the need. People will never give you a budget; they must have inspiration. Put the missionaries on the platform. Let the people become acquainted with them. Only then will they co-operate in the great work of world evangelization. Never forget, as my motto reminds me repeatedly, “The supreme task of the church is the evangelization of the world!” C hapter T hree I ’ m impressed by Matthew 9:35-38 which tells us among other things that “Jesus went about all the cities and villages.” He didn’t settle down in any one community. He was con tinually on the go. He was moved with compassion. Compassion isn’t pity or sympathy, but love in action. You don’t show compassion until you act. Christ said to His disciples,
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” This is the same problem we have today. There aren’t enough workers. The solution is that we should pray. Years ago, I went through the Bi ble to see if I could stay in Canada and still obey God. I wondered if I could enjoy a pastorate and still carry on my Lord’s missionary com mands. I found such expressions as “All nations, all the world, every creature, every kindred and tongue and people and nation, and the utter most part of the earth.” The message of redemption was for the entire world. Wycliffe Bible Translators tell us there are still some 2,000 tribes which never once have heard the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not one single missionary is working with them. Yet nearly two thousand years have gone by since Christ told us to give His gospel to the entire world. If one nation lives beyond the boundaries of Canada, and I call my self a Christian, I’m duty-bound to cross my country’s boundaries and preach the gospel to the nation. Why spend a lifetime settling for sub stitutes? I must carry out the post resurrection commands of Christ. What about you? Either you must go yourself, or you must send some body else in your place. Woe be to you if you do nothing! God’s orders must be obeyed and His commands carried out. When I was only 18 years of age, I went to the Indians of British Columbia. I lived in a little shack all alone near Alaska. It was be tween three and four thousand miles from home. I was there over a year. Realizing I needed more education to prepare for my life’s work, I re turned to civilization. Finally, being ordained to the ministry, I then applied to the missionary board of my denomination, asking to be sent out to India. My case was very care fully considered. At last a decision 5
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker