The God we serve is a missionary God who over the years and ages has been sending missionaries to the world. Jesus was sent from heaven to the world. Jonah was sent to Nineveh. Paul was sent to the gentiles. Peter was sent to Cornelius’ house. These are all cross-cultural assignments directed by God Himself.
But then, as we talk about cross-cultural mission there must be a specification. Every Christian is not a missionary in this sense. The reason is simply that not every Christian has missionary gift. The Bible says that God sets gifts in the church (1 Cor. 12:28-29) to function separately but profit withal (1 Cor. 12:4-26).
When we talk of missionary gift, it is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to minister (whatever other spiritual gifts they have) in a second culture. It is the specific of cross-cultural ministry.
On the other hand, Paul was also an apostle and also had the gift of missionary. He was called to minister in another culture, a Jew to Gentiles (Acts 22:3; 23:6; Eph. 3:1, 7, 8; Rom. 12:6). In other words,Paul’s spiritual gifts enabled him to minister in another culture. The best statement of what this missionary gift does is in 1 Cor. 9:22 where Paul says: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some”. “ The gospel for the uncircumcised was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter” (Gal. 2:7).
Am I called? What exactly is the “call”? how does the call relate to the Missionary gift?
- MISSIONARY’S CALL: Acts 10:17-21; Jonah 1:1, 2; Mark 16:15; Acts1:8; 22:21; 13:2; 11:22-24
As God calls different people for specific assignments so is the missionary’s call. Though the church as a corporate body and the individual believer has received the Great Commission to reach out to the sinful world, the missionary is called to leave his own culture and go to another culture or country to fulfill that Great Commission.
A clear cut example of this is the calling of Paul the apostle. :Depart for I wil send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21).
Responding to the missionary call brings some environmental changes, in dieting climatic changes, in dressing, learning a new language etc.
- THE MISSIONARY’S QUALIFICATIONS: Acts 11:24; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; Acts 20:24; 2Tim. 2:24; 2 Thess. 3:9; Lk. 14:26; Matt.16:24
There are a number of things that qualify the missionary for the ministry. He must be saved to start with, and have a clear and definite experience of conversion, and living a victorious overcoming life daily. The missionary must be a vessel of honour, consecrated and committed because God is not looking for better methods but better men. The Lord depends on men to make them channels through which His por and love can flow to others. He must be a man of prevailing prayer as well.
- He must be called: there is a general assignment for every believer, but there is a special assignment for everyone that is called (Heb. 5:4). Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah, Peter, Paul, etc were called and they knew it. The evidences are seen by the internal gentle leading but sometimes firm impression of the Holy Spirit in that direction. There is also an easiness where the Lord is leading with the joy of the Lord that follows.
- He is cleansed – sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use (2 Tim. 2:22).
- He must be clothed with power from on high (Acts 1:8; 11:24).
- Consecrated – He must be consecrated to God and to one single cause of life.
- Crucified – He is only looking into one direction and only thinks about God and to see only Christ proclaimed and exalted. He does not fight for his rights nor defend himself. It is Christ who lives in him and lives a life of faith and depends on the love of God (Gal. 2:20; 6:14).
- Clothed with humility and power. The Lord himself opens doors of success, but when pride comes in, your usefulness will stop. The more you humble yourself the more God will magnify you (1 Peter 5:5; 1 Samuel 15:17).
There is need to be clothed with power and continue in power through persistent prayer, surrender to God and allow Him to use you.
- THE MISSIONARY’S MINISTRY: Mark 16:15; Rom. 10:13-17; Matt. 9:36
The Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example iin the ministry as missionaries. Our ministry then must be patterned on that of the Lord who has a three fold ministry; preaching, teaching and healing (Matt. 9:36).
Our responsibility is to preach the gospel (Rom. 10:13-17). We have received that special call from the Lord to preach, and necessity is laid upon us. Failure to do it will mean disobedience to the Master (1 Cor. 9:16). Christ suffered on the cross of Calvary so that men through the gospel will be saved. The solution to long-standing problems is in the gospel. Silence will mean sin. It is the gospel of Christ that brings light to the people. And the preaching of this gospel is the PRIMARY MINISTRY of the missionary.
Our ministry is to lead the lost to Christ (John 1:29). The must know Him and posses his holiness and righteousness (Heb. 12:14; Rom. 12:1, 2). They will need the Holy Ghost as we ourselves (John 15:26; 16:13). We need to guide them to understand the Bible (Atcs 8:27-40). Training nationals for Christian responsibility in the church is also part of the ministry of the missionary. Such training is necessary for three reasons.
- The pre-eminence of the word of God, for a lasting and and enduring work (2 Tim. 2:2).
- The political uncertainty of the country. There is the possibility of another Pharaoh rising up (Ex. 1:8). There should be a team of people who could carry on the work.
- The preservation of the work (Joshua 24:31; Jude 1:1, 10).
We are only fit for the ministry when we yield to God to make us able ministers of the New Testament (2 Cor. 3:4-6).