The Need to Re-evaluate Missions

I don’t know about you, but are we really getting the job done in respect to Missions?

      In 1950, there were over 100,000 missionaries spreading the Gospel worldwide – that’s Baptist missionaries. That number is now down to approximately 29,000 worldwide. That’s an attrition rate of 1,000 missionaries per year. Of those remaining on the field, there are only 5,000 independent Baptist missionaries serving the Lord on foreign fields.

Why is this happening? Seemingly, all of the ground that was gained by the blood, sweat, and tears of missionary families in the years before us is now running like sand through our fingertips. We cannot hold on.

      Looking at statistics, we can easily feel disheartened and unless we fix something, the problem will continue until only America will only be reaching America with the Gospel.

      I believe the problem exists in three parts: Seeing, Sending, and Supporting.

1. At the get-go, on average only 1% of students attending Bible colleges today ever seriously consider the need for missionaries. (That’s not 1% being called – that’s one 1% only considering it.) Only a percentage of 1% of all highly-trained men and women surrendering to be missionaries would explain in large part why there is no workforce overseas; barely anyone caught the vision. They did not look upon the fields white already unto harvest – the fields that missionaries years earlier have sown and prepared people for God’s working in their lives. More people need to see the need!  
2. Second, 43% of the people who surrender, complete their training, and commit to God’s purposes for them never complete deputation. Nowhere in Scripture can it be found that deputation is a Biblical process, but it has been used in the past to provide a means of acquiring financial support. Something must be wrong though if nearly half of missionaries never even make it to the field. The lack of churches’ ability around the country to send off the chosen is appalling. You would think that we could sacrifice a little more as comfy Americans than that. 
3. Lastly, would be the issue of support. I know that your mind goes directly to financial support, but money existing in the bank account of the well-supported few will not keep those few on the field. As statistics show, 75% of first-term missionaries quit and never return to the foreign field to complete that four years. Not only is there something missing from how we support missionaries, there is something wrong with the way we view the area of support.

      Something, we must admit, is seriously wrong with the way most independent, fundamental Baptist churches partake in Missions. If we truly care about the Gospel reaching across the oceans to other peoples speaking different languages, we’re gonna have to change.

       Change is not easy – nor is it appreciated most times amongst fundamental Baptist circles, but obviously it is necessary. Whether you are a pastor considering what God will do in the lives of the young people in your church, or a college student considering God’s calling in your life, or a senior ready to graduate and wondering if your home church is ready, capable, and willing to take part in God’s purposes for you, or a church member who has realized that there is more to what needs to be done than giving your tithe from an 8-5 job, pray and to be ready do something Biblically different...

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