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DEFINING 21ST CENTURY MISSIONS
The word missionary comes from the Greek word “Mitto” and is defined as, “one who is sent out”.
Traditionally speaking, a missionary is one who lives in a nation other than his own, learns the cultures, the values, the languages and customs of the people, spending his life reaching that nation. He is defined as a resident missionary. These men and women are highly regarded as heroes of faith that many look up to and admire.
However, in the last few years, another type of missionary has emerged. The catch phrase, “non-resident missionary”, has been coined specifically to identify these men and women who are just as dedicated to the cause of missions, but live in one country and minister in another, usually several others.
Our world is quickly becoming a “Global Village”. All over the world, one can find companies, such as McDonalds, FedEx, Nokia, and even 7-Eleven. Just as secular companies have grown and diversified world wide, so has the world of missions. Missionaries, both resident and non-resident, have become very mobile through modern transportation and technology. By using tools such as the Internet, cell phones, Skype, and email, we are changing what we do and the way we do it. We can now communicate in a matter of seconds, where communication used to take weeks, even months.
The role of the missionary is changing. For decades, it was he who held crusades, planted churches and Bible schools, discipled new believers, and organized outreaches. National church leaders looked to him to reach their nation. The missionary was the one who possessed the vision, the education, as well as the funding. Now, in many nations, local Christian leaders have taken ownership of the vision to reach their nation with the Gospel.
As a 21st Century missionary, we are learning new ways to impact nations. Our role now is to serve as a friend, a mentor, and as an encourager. We provide tools of ministry, training and funding. By spending time with church leaders, talking and dreaming, we can assist in defining their vision and help to set goals in achieving it.
A missionary should serve as a liaison between the American church and the people around the world. It is vital that he educates the church and gives a global perspective, communicating the needs of the world to the people. He is to be a “voice” for the lost and the unreached! If the church is not regularly made aware, it will lose its fervency to reach the world.
As missionaries, we have the privilege of defining what the future of missions will be and imparting that in churches around the world.
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