Last night we took part in the Missions Convention at Hosanna Assembly of God Church in Baton Rouge. There was a poweful sense of "rightness" about the event and its goals.
I salute Pastor Don Williams and his leadership team for their steadfast vision for missions. Fewer and fewer churches have retained an active involvement in sending long-term missionaries. Some refuse to send anyone except for short-term teams believing that the internet can substitute for on-the-ground missionaries.
International businesses know better. They maintain a leadership presence guiding the success of local enterprizes.
Governmental foreign aid relying heavily on local administration does not do well at husbanding massive cash flows that seldom reach the needy people for whom they have designated their dollars.
Deciding which model is right is a "no brainer."
An aging foreign missionary corps is asking, "Where is the next wave of missionaries?" "Who will carry forward the training and equipping the local churches?"
I pray that pastors will bring back the altar services where burning hearts sing, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord..."
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Amen! We the church are responsible for local (Jerusalem), "nationwide" (Judea & Samaria), and the ends of the earth. Short term missions are great, but their deeper purpose is to usher in a new season of missionaries who are called to stay long term. We can't expect a bandaid to heal what needs constant and consistent attention and "therapy." I agree with you in prayer for the next generation of missionaries, that they hear and heed the call!!
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