This week we had a missionary couple commit to start supporting us. They weren't the first though - in fact, we have 5 missionaries that are supporting us!
A couple of months ago we posted the picture above on our Facebook page. There is so much that is great about this quote, but over the past few months God has drastically changed how I think about these ideas, especially about who a “sender” is. Through the generosity of others, I’ve become convinced that there isn’t a division between “goers” and “senders,” but that ALL of us are called to serve as senders - even those that go!
When the first missionary couple signed up to partner with us financially I was just very surprised, but over time (and as other missionaries have partnered with us as well), I’ve had to rethink a lot of things. Before, I definitely divided the world like the quote above does: some send and some go. Through the generosity and big hearts of others, God has been chiseling away at my heart. These missionary families are not only “going,” but are actively seeking to “send” in real ways as well!
The big question: Why should going cause us to stop caring about sending others?
The answer: It shouldn’t.
We are ALL called to send in the ways that we are able. We have a passion for empowering the Church in Asia, but that shouldn’t stop us from caring about reaching the Islamic world or unreached people around the world! The two are not mutually exclusive. Spiritual gifts are not divided into mutually exclusive categories: those with the gift of evangelism can still show mercy, and those with the gift of service are still able to give generously. We don’t live in a world of “missionaries and other Christians,” but neither do we live in a world of simply “goers and senders.” We are ALL called to be senders in the ways that we are able. Jesus has given us the task of reaching all nations, and we must do all we can!
A couple of months ago we posted the picture above on our Facebook page. There is so much that is great about this quote, but over the past few months God has drastically changed how I think about these ideas, especially about who a “sender” is. Through the generosity of others, I’ve become convinced that there isn’t a division between “goers” and “senders,” but that ALL of us are called to serve as senders - even those that go!
When the first missionary couple signed up to partner with us financially I was just very surprised, but over time (and as other missionaries have partnered with us as well), I’ve had to rethink a lot of things. Before, I definitely divided the world like the quote above does: some send and some go. Through the generosity and big hearts of others, God has been chiseling away at my heart. These missionary families are not only “going,” but are actively seeking to “send” in real ways as well!
The big question: Why should going cause us to stop caring about sending others?
The answer: It shouldn’t.
We are ALL called to send in the ways that we are able. We have a passion for empowering the Church in Asia, but that shouldn’t stop us from caring about reaching the Islamic world or unreached people around the world! The two are not mutually exclusive. Spiritual gifts are not divided into mutually exclusive categories: those with the gift of evangelism can still show mercy, and those with the gift of service are still able to give generously. We don’t live in a world of “missionaries and other Christians,” but neither do we live in a world of simply “goers and senders.” We are ALL called to be senders in the ways that we are able. Jesus has given us the task of reaching all nations, and we must do all we can!