Who Can You Send?

As I have talked to pastors and missions team members in the Great Lakes, there is generally a strong desire to find and support good missionaries.  However, what many churches aren’t thinking is:  Who can we send?  Did you know there is a good chance that there are potential missionaries in your midst?  Most missions advocates estimate that 2-5% of Christians are wired by God to be able to flourish in a cross-cultural setting.  Do you realize what that means?  That no matter what the size of your church is, you likely have people that you could send if God were calling them.  Let’s look at the math:

I would suspect that when you find your church size on this chart, you have not been thinking that there are that many potential missionaries your church could send out.  This is where we need to be changing our thinking.  Every church can and should be looking for who in their body that God might be calling to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.  

There are two groups that are particularly well positioned to be considered for missions.  The obvious group is our young people who are trying to discern God's leading and direction for their lives. This generation is longing to make an impact in the world.  Are we considering that God might have wired them for missions?  Are we encouraging them to consider that calling as they pursue educational and vocational paths?   The other group is the large number of the baby-boomer generation that has recently retired.  This group generally has time, money, experience (and some energy left!) to be a great asset in missions.

So start looking at your congregation with different eyes.  Who has a passion for the lost?  Who is adaptable, energetic, solid in their faith and has an appetite for a bit of adventure?  If you or someone you know might be one of those 2-5%, let me know!   You don’t have to be absolutely sure…we have tools to help people look deeper and discover if this is really what God has for them.  We would love to walk with you on that journey. 

 “Until everyone has an opportunity to meet, know and follow Jesus!”