MK’s (missionary kids) live a different life than most kids raised in the US. A youth group from Connecticut had some questions for four of the MK’s living at Siloam and we taped the interview. You will enjoy hearing from these four kids who had lived in other places while their parents serve as missionaries.
The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth” (3 John 5-8).
John was writing about a man who cared for fellow Christians who were traveling evangelists or ministers sent by their church as messengers of the gospel of Christ. John praised Gaius, to whom John addressed this third letter, because he demonstrated his faith by providing for their needs, even though they were strangers to him. Apparently, these men whom we now would call missionaries testified to the church of the love that Gaius exhibited as he enabled them to continue their mission “in a manner worthy of God.” Most likely, he supplied them with shelter, money, food and clothing or otherwise showed them hospitality and gave them necessities for their journey.
Today, we need more people like Gaius, people who recognize the needs of missionaries who are dedicating their lives “for the sake of the Name.” It should be plain to us that missionaries need prayer, financial support, Christian hospitality and care. Whether the fulfillment of these needs comes through a denominational mission board or a mission agency or through the missionaries presenting their ministry to churches and individuals and seeking support — someone must see the need and pray; someone must care; someone must give.
Why should it be difficult for pastors and churches to understand the needs of missionaries? They have the same needs as anyone else, but because of the nature of their work it is more difficult for them to secure what they need. They are not working for a company, selling some commodity, rendering a service for which people are ready to pay. Instead, they are giving their time, effort and their lives to labor “for the sake of the Name,” to make known the name of Jesus Christ and give people the opportunity to receive forgiveness of their sins and the gift of eternal life through faith in Him. Priceless — but it comes with a price. The rest of the Body of Christ must give what it takes to enable the missionaries whom God has called to do the hard work of obeying the missionary mandate of Jesus. As John says, “we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.” As we “send them on their way in a manner worthy of God” providing for their needs, we become partners with the missionaries in the work of reaching the world for Christ.
Pastors and churches that are introverted and spend all their resources on themselves and their buildings are not focusing on eternal values and are not investing in building the Kingdom of God. Why must missionaries spend so much of their time and energy imploring churches to help them? Why must mission boards have to bring their missionaries home because of lack of funds to keep them on the field? Is it the economy or is it an unwillingness on the part of Christians to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel of Christ?
We need to be “Macedonian Christians” whom Paul lifted up as an example, “that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4). When have you heard of Christians in our churches begging “with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints”? Now, we see missionaries “begging” the saints for support.
At Siloam Missionary Homes, we provide “A Place Missionaries Call Home” at the most reasonable cost possible to help the many missionaries who are so under supported. We can do that only as individuals, churches, agencies and businesses give to help us subsidize the housing requirements. As Christians, we must open our hearts and give to meet the needs of those whom God has called to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and partner with those, like Siloam Missionary Homes, who assist them.
H. Milton Wilder
Missionary Pastoral Care
Remember those fried crickets and chicken feet we have been talking about on A Place Missionaries Call Home? This Saturday, you can meet Larry and Joyce, who will give you the opportunity to sample these delicacies. Missionaries to Ecuador, Lew and Jan Beeler, will be with them “live” as we discuss the fact that sometimes a missionary has to step out of their comfort zone so they don’t offend the people they are ministering to. Join us at the Through Way Shopping Center in Winston Salem in front of Foot Solutions, Saturday at 3:30 eastern.
Join us as Laparras tell about how God led them to make a complete change in ministry and how God has worked in their lives. It will touch you to hear what they have to say.
Listen and be blessed as Judy Holmes shares of her and her husband’s experiences being involved in short term missions. It will challenge you as you ask the Lord, “How would you have me make a difference?”
Missionary Air Group – “sending the harvesters” through international field programs, MAG field missionaries deliver “Help and Hope by Air” in some of the poorest and most remote areas of Central America. Currently with bases in Honduras and Guatemala, MAG delivers medical care, and supports hospital, relief, and ministry operations in isolated villages – demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Their vision: The sick healed, the hungry fed, the isolated reached, and the lost saved. You will be challenged by this interview with Sean Donnelly, president of MAG.
“For a great and effective door has been opened for me, and there are many adversaries.” I Cor. 16:9
We have heard from time to time the phrase “I am waiting on God to open or close the door.” While reading the scriptures recently in I Corinthians 16, it was encouraging to me to see that even though there was opposition (and this, by the way, came from the church), Paul did not allow it to keep him from pressing on. He had a ministry before him that he had to complete. From the day that Jesus got Paul’s attention on the road to Damascus, Paul continued to press forward, looking for opened doors of opportunity. Many times, he didn’t know what to do – the doors seemed closed. The very churches he helped plant would fight among themselves. If I were in his shoes, I might say, “What’s the use? The door is closed.” But, not Paul. He continued to move on. We know the rest of the story of his life, that even unto death, he never backed down. Even though he knew he was going to be executed for being a Christian, his main concern was God’s people and the church – to make sure their needs were being met. He was calling his fellow pastors to keep going.
Over the years of ministry here at Siloam Missionary Homes, I too, grow weary. I feel the pressures of finances and the fatigue of travel. I don’t always have the answers when a missionary comes to see me. But I know that God allows these times as doors of opportunity. God IS faithful and always shows us how to open the door. The most comforting thing is my life is my mornings alone with God. Even today, the morning is quiet and calm. His Word flows like a river through my soul. I continue to press on.
We are continuing the construction of the new Bill & Sandra Rice missionary home. The last week of June, Bible Baptist Church from New Milford, Connecticut brought a work team to put the floor trusses and floor decking on the house. You may ask, “How can you continue to build more houses with the economy the way it is?” I have asked the same question. But, like the Apostle Paul, we have a job to do. We have turned away many missionary families because we don’t have enough houses. That tells me we need to keep on keeping on. Proverbs tells us to “plan and prepare without.”
You know, friends, we don’t always have the answers and it may seem no open door, but God has a plan. It is His desire for us to reach the world. Over and over, when I think that God has closed the door, He always seems to open another one. Jesus was always looking for windows of opportunity. “Look, the fields are white unto harvest, and the laborers are few. Go ye,” He said, “and I will always be with you.”
I thank the Lord for you today – for standing in the gap for us. Almost daily I receive phone calls, e-mails or notes. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for Siloam and for the missionary families. Look for your door of opportunity. Even in these times of uncertainty, I can truly say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Kris and Mariola, natives of Poland who had moved to Canada, visited their homeland to share Christ with their lost families. While there, God put a burden into their hearts that someone needed to go and share the Gospel with the Polish people. Join Larry and Joyce on a place missionaries call home, where they will be talking to this couple to see who ended up going to take the Good News and bring light to a nation.
Join Larry and Joyce as they talk to Phil Parshall, author of The Cross and the Crescent, Understanding the Muslim Heart and Mind. It will open your eyes to all that God is doing.
Cross and the Crescent July 3 seg 1
Here’s an “advertisement” for a special event for kids ages 5-12 who live at Siloam Missionary Homes and in the surrounding area. We are hosting a 5-Day Club® here at SMH, July 12-16, 10:30-11:30 a.m. See the details by clicking on the poster link below and click here to learn more about Child Evangelism Fellowship and 5-Day Cubs®. CALL 336.376.8200 AND REGISTER TODAY to get in on all the fun and learning!