Missionaries
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am; send me!" --Isaiah 6
:8
Throughout Christian history, sending missionaries and supporting mission work have been natural responses to God's grace. When the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the Jerusalem church at Pentecost, the disciples spread the gospel wherever they went. The early history of the Christian church is filled with stories of those who were martyred as they proclaimed the gospel in new places.
As the Reformation swept over the western world, Protestant missionaries wnet wherever explorers sailed. John Wesley himself was a missionary to the colony of Georgia. Eventually missions were established in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The Christian church took root and blossomed on every continent and now the mission churches themselves are sending missionaries.
Meet a Missionary...
Today missionaries from everywhere serve everywhere. Today many of our missionaries are from countries other than the United States. Every missionary needs our love and prayers. At the present time the General Board of Global Ministries has 930 persons in mission. Two of these persons are Nkemba and Mbwizu Ndjungu, who are from DR Congo. They are pictured above. Click here to learn about their ministry in Cameroon.
Support a Missionary...
How can your congregation be supportive of the missionaries of the General Board of Global Ministries? A covenant relationship is a great way to become a partner. This partnership is much more than a financial commitment. It is a dynamic relationship where the church and missionary pray for one another and communicate regularly. By deepening its own awareness of the struggles and triumphs of the missionary, the congregation participates in a work that is truly connectional. If more churches partner with missionaries, Global Ministries will be able to send more missionaries out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ!
A covenant relationship can be established with a commitment of $5 per member of $2,500 per congregation. You can find more information and a covenant form at the Advance web site. Why is it important to file the form rather than simply send dollars to the Conference Treasurer? First, establishing a covenant puts you on the mailing list of the missionary and keeps communication flowing. Second, covenant churches are contacted when the missionary comes to West Michigan to visit supporting churches. This happens every three years and is a great opportunity to deepen the bond with the missionary.
Become a Missionary...
Perhaps you, like Isaiah, are feeling the call to service. There are a variety of ways in which persons can enter into full-time service. Click here to go to the Young Adult site. Other program and learn about US-2 and Mission Intern options. Other programs are summarized here, such as commissioned missionaries, Church and Community Workers, Home Missioners and Deaconesses. Application material is available online. Persons considering missionary service must be interviewed by the Conference Committee on Mission Personnel, chaired by Rev. Lynn DeMoss.