We, as the Church, should always be looking out for where God is working, wherever we are in the world, and seek to join Him in that work. We have all been called as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, calling men and women everywhere to be reconciled to God because of what Jesus has done. This is step one.
But just like in any natural army, there are those who serve in different capacities, but their goal is the same. Ultimately, they should all be working hard to ensure victory over the enemy. Some work in supply, some maintain the home base, and others are scouting out new territories.
In the same way, God calls frontier missionaries and equips them for work on the forward edge. They require a special commission and have the capacity to do what many who serve in the army are unwilling to do. However this does not make them any better than others serving in the army. Their function is different, but without the support of the home base, the supply line, and so on, they would not be able to carry out their mission.
In order to ensure that there are enough people to serve, recruiters or mobilizers are constantly sharing vision and calling people into commitment. They are critical to overall success and their work at home should be honored and supported. John Falconer once said,
“I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.”
I would rather preach to someone who has never heard the Gospel once than to one who has “heard it all a million times” and has yet to believe. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t receive Jesus and change my life the first time I heard the message, so I certainly don’t have anything against fellow believers who are going after souls in the “Post Christian” society of America that is growing more pluralistic and humanistic with each passing day.
I am simply saying that more people should be compelled to the places where the people have little to no access to the Gospel. We can do both. We can start right in our own country, but we don’t have to stay here. I do believe “the light that shines furthest, shines brightest at home.”
May God raise up both those who love their home country and seek to live missionally at the local level; right now and right where they are, as well as those who will cross cultures, languages, and oceans for the sake of the Gospel!
