Misconceptions (by Thom)

One of the questions rolling around in my head lately is, “What exactly is a missionary?” I know that even just 3 years ago, my idea was way, way off the mark. I imagined a missionary as someone living far off, probably in a mud or thatch hut, who spent their days preaching. At the time, I didn’t see how I could fit into that role; much less offer something to the missions community, short of my money. My trip to Burkina Faso in 2004 changed those misconceptions for me. While I was there, I saw people living in a cross-cultural environment who worked in a medical clinic, built radio stations, managed a guest house, did finances, and (of course) preached. This totally blew away my preconceived notions. “You mean I could do missions? I’m not a preacher! But I can do radio; I can fix computers; I can add numbers reasonable well.” Low and behold, that was exactly what the Lord had in store for us. Perhaps all three!

This still doesn’t answer my first question: “What exactly is a missionary?” I’ve Google-searched the web a few times, but most answers seem incomplete. In fact, most formal definitions are pretty close to what I thought before I actually saw missions in practice! However, the best definition I’ve found so far is found right in the Great Commission: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20 (New American Standard Bible).

In addition to that, I’ve been thinking about roles in the church. The place for evangelists and preachers is obvious in scripture. I also like to look at the roles of the seven called to serve in Acts chapter 6: the Apostles were being bogged down in busy work so they appointed “seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom”. I’ve chosen as my mission statement (so to speak) that my role in Mali is to “serve the missionaries, doing what I can the best I can so they can do what they can the best they can.”

It’s amazing to learn more about the missions community. I’m still new enough that in many ways I’m an outsider. I’m learning more and more each day what is involved in fulfilling the Great Commission and that is exciting!

Next week I’ll probably being driving out into the bush. The Mali national church has sent a handful of Malian missionaries to spread the Gospel and has asked me to produce some videos of their ministries to raise awareness among fellow believers. Explaining all this really should be its own blog entry so I’ll save it for another time. I’m very excited about the opportunity and ask you to pray for my trip, for the translation, and for my work – that it will lead to a better awareness of what Malian missions means to the church here.