Missions

I am still part of the same church a small group of us started forty-four years ago. Since the church began, several thousand people have gone out in summer missions. Consequently, our congregation is filled with world Christians who know our missionaries personally, pray for them regularly, and give to missions more generously. The eternal dividends far outweigh the short-term costs.

Over the last year through their Fill the Stadium campaign, Compassion International has been working to provide urgent support for children in crisis around the world. They say, “COVID-19 has left nearly 70,000 children without a sponsor. That’s the capacity of the average NFL stadium!"

Randy was interviewed by his local church, Good Shepherd, for their annual Global Outreach weekend. He shares some of his family's experiences visiting missionaries.

COVID and the resulting economic devastation have taken a horrible toll on many poorer countries around the world. The following report from my friend Kurt Nelson with East-West Ministries, about a country in the Caribbean (specific name withheld for security reasons), is just heartbreaking. 

COVID-19 has brought many challenges to all of us, but the challenges have been amplified for those in prison. What a reminder of the tough times these men and women are dealing with. May more of them than ever be drawn to Jesus, and may God’s people pray for them and look for creative ways to minister to them.

That statistic on 130 million people being on the brink of starvation by the end of 2020 hits me hard, and as the months go on it gets more serious. I encourage you and your family to consider giving generously to some of the following ministries in their efforts to help alleviate suffering.

Bringing everyone the “good news of happiness” about Jesus shouldn’t be seen as a grim duty, but as a sheer delight and a privilege. After all, the gospel is the best news there has ever been or ever will be!

My friend Doug Nichols sent me the following as advice to new missionaries. But as I read it, it struck me that 95% of it is good advice for all believers. So I’m changing the title and commend this for the reading of both missionaries and all the rest of us.

When I was a brand new Christian in 1969 I heard the story of the five missionary martyrs in Ecuador. Some years ago Steve Saint (Nate Saint’s son) and I became friends. He came to my home church and I interviewed him and Mincaye, the former warrior who speared to death both Nate Saint and Ed McCully. Mincaye came to Christ, and for many years now he has been a transformed man.