1. Friend raising – developing relationships, living lives of love and of giving and receiving with our supporters.
2. Prayer with promises – keeping our dependence on God as we walk in fellowship and interdependence with others.
3. Generosity – giving, giving, giving in relationships
4. Communication – developing relationship and vision through letters, phone calls, and personal visits.
We are to see our support team as friends, hence the term ‘Friend raising’. We are to care for our support team as friends - building meaningful relationships with them, rather than for what they can give to us. God’s primary concern is to build relationships between himself and people. We are created to be dependent, and we are created to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2) Friendship must be our primary motivation. Where there is receiving, and giving, a special bond is formed. When we are not communicating with our support team the relationship breaks down. Through our communication, we can be very influential in developing the vision of the local church and our support team for missions. As we communicate with our supporters, and ask for their involvement in prayer and encouragement, we are, in fact, mobilising them to be a part of God’s mission to see peoples come to know him.
Genesis 12:2 (ESV)
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Paul’s example of relationship with a supporting church
Let’s take a look at Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church:
Philippians 1:3-12 (ESV)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel
Philippians 2:25 (ESV)
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
Philippians 4:10-20 (ESV)
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul also had a good relationship with the elders of Ephesus.
Acts 20: 36-38 (ESV)
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul’s relationship
Paul’s relationship with the church went two ways. They prayed for him, and he also prayed for them. Paul called it a partnership of receiving and giving. They shared in Paul’s troubles. It wasn’t the giving that Paul desired from the Philippians church, but the fruit out of their giving. They were not just a church that Paul would get money from; he had them in his heart, he care for them. His emphasis was on the relationship first - they were his partners in the Gospel.
That is the same heart we need to have for our supporters. First and foremost is to see their relationship with God increase and grow. Relationship with our supporters is a ‘lifestyle of exchange’. We need to be praying for them, encouraging them, and blessing them in whenever way we can. It will take time and commitment to build and maintain relationships with our support team.
As missionaries, we are supported by the generosity of people. The worlds system is about buying and selling, God’s system is of giving and receiving. Our God is a generous God, and we are to be like him. Even when we are also getting others to support us, we also need to be people who are generous. We cannot give to God in person so we give to him by giving to others. Giving is actually a form of worship to God. Generosity allows God to give to us. We as missionaries can also become part of other missionaries support teams.
2 Corinthians 9:7-12 (ESV)
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
The tithe was the Old Testament pattern of giving and Jesus makes it clear that this was to continue in the New Testament pattern. But the New Testament pattern of generous giving goes far beyond the tithe. If we give generously, He will in return provide for us, generously. The New Testament rule is simple: everything we are (and have) belongs to God. And, like Jesus, we are to ask the Father’s direction in everything.
Chapter 12
Your part in foreign mission work
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"His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations.
His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success.
And His presence with us leaves us no other choice."
- John Stott
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We are all called to be involved in Missions. How? You say, “I don’t have a calling to a particular country or people group.” We are called to be involved in missions in three categories; as Mobilizers, Goers and Senders. We all have a role to play in the Great Commission. We need to seek God as to what our part is, and start fulfilling that role. There are people who are constantly challenging others about missions, building awareness of the needs, the opportunities, and helping people getting involved. Others people feel called to spend time (or their lives) in another culture, to live a different kind of life, and minister face to face with the unsaved. Others still provide the funds, the prayer support, and Logistical support.
We are all called to be praying for missions, without prayer nothing much will happen. This is the backbone and what is vital to the success of missions. Our missionaries don’t need people that are praying general prayers, but rather praying specific prayer, and praying breakthroughs into specific
areas.
When we talk of missionary support, we are not only talking of financial support. There are vast areas in which we can assist missionaries on the field. Therefore those who are called to stay also have a role to playing world missions, just as those that are called to go.
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)
14 How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Missions workers need support before they go, while they are on the field, and also when they return.
Pre-departure support
Moral support is needed before leaving. This might be as simple as saying, “We’re excited about what God is doing, and we are with you”. (As opposed to less affirming statements such as, “Why waste your education?”… “Why don’t you get a real job?”…and, to married folks, “How can you do that to your kids?!!!”)
Future missionaries need our prayers and support. The enemy is not also happy with their decisions to see the lost reached for Christ, and will do anything to discourage them from going. Let not our words; be the words of discouragement, but rather of encouragement. This includes helping them put logistical structures in place, the matter of how they will get their support, packing and storing of personal stuff if needed and helping with support raising, helping the missionary’s family understand about missions and walking with them through this difficult phase for them as well.
On field Support
Once on the field, missionaries need your prayer support. This goes a long way for them, and this includes praying specific prayers, general prayers – as well as praying for the people groups they are working with. Including praying for their health, safety, finances, spiritual growth, language learning, adjustments to culture, fruitful ministry and for their children.
Dropping a note simply saying, “I prayed for you today”, goes a long away in encouraging a missionary; and they will know that they are not alone and have people thinking of them. This has been one of the greatest encouraging moments in my missions career - when I would open my emails, and someone had emailed to say that they had prayed for me, or were thinking of me. Being single in missions can be sometimes lonely, as missionaries can often feel that they are alone in what you are doing. You can also serve as a contact person for the missionary. Missionaries on the field need logistical support before they leave, and whilst on the field. This includes things like sending missionaries related items such as ministry materials when needed, storing personal belongings, photocopying newsletters and sending them out to others; supporting in family matters by visiting elderly parents, providing a second home for missionaries when at home. Most missionaries, on returning home have no place where they can rest. Some will be coming from not so affluent backgrounds, and the only option open to them is to go to the countryside and spend their holidays working. (Or their homes are not big enough to accommodate them, and they will have to sleep in the lounge.) For a missionary on furlough after years or months in a spiritually tough place, they will need time to rest and refresh before going back.
Communication support - involves keeping in touch, keeping the missionary informed, and keeping them encouraged. This does not need to be a long letter; even scenic postcards for a quick update are good. Be careful what you write for missionaries in closed countries. When you are away from home, it is always encouraging and uplifting to get a letter from back home. Sending them something that they miss a lot when not home is great, (it can be something small things like candy, or chocolate.) Sometimes, it is difficult to send things by post from Africa, so this will include going to extra mile of finding ways of getting gifts to them. Nothing beats eating something from home when you are feeling home sick. Let missionaries know that they can ask you for things they miss. Paul had this kind of relationship, and felt free to ask.
2 Timothy 4:13(ESV)
13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
Re-Entry Support
Readjusting to life back home is often more difficult than learning to live in the foreign country. Just as they have culture shock whilst adjusting to, and learning about, a new culture - they will have reverse culture shock adjusting to life back in their own country. Thus re-entry support becomes important when missionaries return. Returning missionaries will need help transitioning into life back home. As mentioned in previously, missionaries on furlough may need housing where there is no pressure and stress from family responsibilities. Culturally, this may be offensive to the missionary’s family, but it is about making arrangements for the missionary to spend time with their family as well as having time to rest. It is important to be available to listen as the missionary shares about their time in the field. Sometime it is not feasible for them to share everything that they have gone through. You can also seek to arrange speaking engagements for them to be able to share about their work to churches, youth groups or Sunday school. Always still keep in mind, however, that they are also home to rest.
You too can be part of the inheritance among the nations, through involvement in any of the following areas: logistical, prayer, communication and re-entry support for missionaries. If you don’t currently support any missionaries, now is a great time to “adopt” some. Contact your local missionary organisation if your church does not have any missionaries whom it supports.
Most African missionaries rarely have re-entry support once home, as they don’t have the necessary structures or support base to help them with re-entry. They are expected to just re-adjust, and get used to life as though they had never left. They have no-one to process their time, both on the field and when back home.
Why Missionaries need Prayer Support?
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"I used to think that prayer should have the first place and teaching the second.
I now feel it would be truer to give prayer the first, second and third places
and teaching the fourth."
- James O. Fraser
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The Need for the Missionary to know who they are in Christ:
In a spiritual dry place, pressure will reveal what is in us (pride, selfishness, weakness, lack of confidence, stubbornness and inability to see other peoples view point, etc.) A missionary needs to know who they are in Christ. They will need to constantly renew their minds, and submit their own desires to the Holy Spirit.
Isolation and Loneliness: When missionaries go into a new culture, they are mostly on their own. They are in need friendships, but because they often own their own, they lack spiritual and social fellowship. They are going into unknown places, and don’t really know what is waiting for them. Some missionaries are able to make short-term trips, and will have a vague idea of what to expect. However, most African missionaries do not have that opportunity. In this situation, prayer is their safe guard; and trusting the Lord is vital in every situation. Lack of results and fruits can lead to discouragement and depression for a missionary. Loneliness is one of the means the devil uses to discourage and depress, and to cause them to engage in disastrous self-pity.
New Culture: going into a culture that is new can be unnerving and a strain physically and emotionally. Things are different, food is different, language is different; and it takes time to adjust to a new culture. One can feel like a little child – weak, small and insignificant in learning new things, and attempting to learn a new language. Prayer cover helps one not to feel so vulnerable. Missionaries have to deal with the frustration of not being able to communicate the Gospel for months, sometimes even years, until they have learned the language.
Danger (Physically and spiritually): Depending on the country that the missionary is in, some can be very dark spiritually. The missionary might be the only Christian in a village, or one of the few
missionaries in a city. They are in need of constant prayer cover, both spiritually and physically. It sometimes can be hard for a missionary to continually go on fighting darkness on their own. But with the prayer cover from Home, the battle can be made lighter for them. They are ministering to people that have being in Satan stronghold for decades - the enemy has blinded them to God’s truth, and that truth will therefore not easily penetrate the people. Satan will not easily give up his stronghold without a fight. He will throw everything he can to destroy the missionary, to destroy them both physically and spiritually.
Interpersonal Relationship - one of the major reasons for missionaries leaving the field is relationships. It is important for the missionary to get along well with others: team mates, spouses, workers, directors, national Christians and non-Christians. They need to be open and honest in instances where relationship becomes strained. Sometimes confronting and trying to resolve conflict across cultures can be a very sensitive issue. This includes relationship back home, where the missionary constantly feels vulnerable and dependant on others. So we need to pray that the right co-workers, missionaries and nationals come along and join the work being done.
Prayer for Ministry :– Having prayer-warriors to cover the relevant people group will go a long way towards having breakthroughs with that people group.
Security: Some missionaries are working in areas where they have to be constantly aware of what they are doing. For example, emails can get hacked into by the government. Others will have people watching their every move, waiting for one wrong move in order to report them to the police. In instances like these, our missionaries need our prayers for God to blind the eyes of the officials and cover them from prying eyes. Once the wrong people know they are missionaries or Christians, they can be deported or arrested. This is detrimental to the work. For some missionaries, years of ground-breaking work can be affected. If they are working with national colleagues, the nationals face imprisonment or worse.
The Whisper That Echoes Through Africa Page 11