Me, The Vanguard of Missions?
When Jesus charged His disciples to go "into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), He delegated them as the vanguards of world evangelism. They became the first line of troops moving out to the forefront of soul-winning. With the apostles leading the way, the first century of believers soon spread outward all over the Roman world with the good news of salvation through Christ. Luke records that as a result of persecution, "they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). The succeeding generations of believers became a forerunner of the gospel movement in their own right as they headed into places where the apostles had not gone. From this perspective of missions, I want to share how every believer becomes a soldier at the front of the battle.
The Vanguard of Your Circle of Acquaintances
You join the ranks as co-laborers of the missionaries on the homefront when you begin in your neighborhoods to reach out to those around you. Obviously, this means unsaved people you meet each day. You will witness to others verbally and with your lives and to people with whom your own pastor can never minister. Whenever you meet someone without Christ, then you are in a frontline battle for that person's soul. At the same time, your missionaries will be reaching people with the gospel that you can never contact by virtue of your human limitations. Hence, the gospel is going out BOTH to your Jerusalem and around the world.
There is the story of the Sunday School teacher who won Dwight L. Moody to the Lord. Struggling within himself, he determined to be a witness to his pupil who was working in a shoe store. This teacher took the time to reach one student, and the Lord honored his efforts. Little did he know that God would use Moody's ministry to shake two continents for the sake of the gospel. Though you may wrestle when you need to share God's Word to those around you, you must claim the victory that is yours through Christ.
The Vanguard of Your Consecration of Prayer
Missionaries are a very specialized vanguard of the gospel to wherever God has called them, and they know the value of prayer from their supporters. They face spiritual conflicts that many people never have to confront. Yet as they are encountering the enemy, each of us must do our part to aid them on the common ground of prayer. When you go to the Lord, you are at the front of the spiritual battle and in the thickest and hottest part as you meet your soul's adversary on your own home turf. Success or failure of your missionaries is very much dependent upon your prayers.
The following story emphasizes this importance: A young couple surrendered to go to Africa, the "White Man's Grave." They went on the condition that the people at home would continually uphold them in prayer. Within two years, the husband returned home a broken man, having buried his wife and baby in Africa. Coming in unannounced for the prayer service, he found to his dismay that there was not one mention of him in prayer. It was as if they had completely forgotten him. He arose in rebuke to the church and declared his reason for defeat, " It is because you have failed to hold the ropes!" Be sure to be a strong vanguard of prayer for your missionaries.
The Vanguard of Your Communication of Fellowship
If there ever was a church that was in the forefront of missionary communication, it was the Philippian church. Paul gave this church his highest praise possible: "Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction" (Phil. 4:14). Your letters become the tangible evidence that you are regularly praying for your missionaries. Even the home church-planter needs to hear encouragement from his supporters that shows concern for him and his family.
Staying in touch with today's missionaries is so much easier than before. Whereas letters often took weeks or months in the olden days, e-mail zips through cyberspace at the speed of light. Ideally, missionaries can post prayer requests, and within moments, supporters can be petitioning the Lord for that need. Of course, there is the old reliable telephone that is more ubiquitous than ever. Taking into account the time zones, you can encourage your missionaries far more by the sound of your voice. Pastors might like to call during the church service and broadcast the conversation to the audience. What a wonder is technology to the communication of our fellowship!
Place yourself in some of Paul's difficult situations. What if you were that missionary who was facing a tremendous burden in his ministry? What could you do to alleviate some of his difficulties and pressures? God could allow you to be an immediate blessing to this family when you contact them by phone, letter, card, or e-mail. For you to ask, "What are your needs so that we can pray for you?" lets them know that they are not alone after all. Of course, the Lord is with the; but so are you through your recent contact. By communicating with your missionaries, you have extended and enriched Christian fellowship more than you may realize.
Yes, YOU at home remain at the forefront of missionary activity as you hold the ropes through prayer. Battles have been won or lost by those fighting on the frontlines, and often the tides of the battles were turned because they refused to run or surrender the fight. But there could never have been a victory without your help! Even so, within our sphere of ministry, the Captain of the Lord of Hosts leads to evangelize the world through you by our acquaintances, your consecration of prayer, and your communication of fellowship. Please don't disappoint Him by failing to stand at your post.