So, What is a Missionary Anyway?
On Tuesday afternoon, the 17th of May, we were strolling through Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, and wound up at the Tourist Information desk to ask whether the tulips were still in bloom this late in the season. The answer was, of course, “No,” but we ended up in a rather enjoyable conversation nonetheless with the two beautiful young ladies who worked at the counter. Before the conversation ended, we were asked whether we were adventurous Americans travelling all over Europe or what. To which we answered, “No, we are on our way to Nigeria.” Their faces were puzzled, and after they looked at each other for a moment, they asked us, “What do you do in Nigeria?” My answer was, “I am a missionary.” To my amazement, the next question was, “What is a missionary?”
What is even more amazing to me, is that I get asked this question over and over again. Sometimes, even by church folks. I thought everyone had some sort of mental picture in their mind when they thought of the word “missionary,” especially Christians who have read much of the New Testament writings by the Apostle Paul.
Simply put, the definition of the word “missionary” means: someone who is sent. To me, a missionary is someone who goes outside his or her own culture for the express purpose of taking the message of Jesus Christ as Savior for the world, to disciple those who believe, to plant churches, and to raise up national church leaders who can then teach others also, thereby multiplying the church among their own people. And many of these go on to be missionaries themselves to yet other parts of the world. These activities involve the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and directly relate to the spiritual aspect of missionary work. The practical aspects include feeding and clothing the poor, caring for orphans and widows, providing medical care, and education. These practical programs are often the tools by which doors are opened into new areas so that the gospel can be preached to those who have not yet heard.
These activities only begin to scratch the surface of what can be, and is being done, to reach the goal of fulfilling The Great Commission: “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15 and “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I (Jesus) have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.“ Matthew 28:19-20.
Because there are over 4.4 billion souls who still need Jesus, I remain
Yours in missions,
Mary Ann Cassidy
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