In 2001, my father was asked to go overseas and present an evangelistic series, using what is now called "Share Him." He was shown a map and asked where he wanted to go and do this series. He and my mother chose Kenya because they had a friend who had grown up there and could lead our group to the location.
My whole family went, and for nearly two months we worked in a small village on the eastern coast of Kenya. My father spoke each night, my mother gave health talks and worked with the local doctors and nurses, and my sister and I gave nightly children’s programs.
As a 12-year-old, this had a monumental impact on my life. Leaving the safety and comfort of the U.S. and going to a truly poor country was life-changing, to say the least. Witnessing people with nothing, struggling to survive, yet overcome with joy and happiness as they gave their lives to Jesus still remains vivid in my mind all these years later. That trip lit a fire in my soul for mission evangelism.
I went on every mission trip that was available from then on. Traveling to Peru, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Australia to speak about my love for Jesus and how others could get to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
I dreamed of being an overseas missionary, living in rural and wild places and getting to tell people about Jesus. As I aged, the challenges of traveling outside the U.S, began to sink in, and my horizons began to feel smaller.
I became frustrated that I wasn't going to make it out of the U.S. or to other countries as a missionary. However, as I continued in the pursuit of pastoral ministry, I began to see that there were plenty of truly daunting and large mission fields even in my backyard.
I want to stop here briefly to say: I am truly in awe of the dedication and sacrifice of overseas missionaries. They are truly selfless and God-filled to do what they do and live in so many challenging and dangerous places just to try and reach people for Jesus. I often think of and pray for them, and I'm honored to be part of a denomination that values overseas mission work.
The reality remains, though, that many, including myself, just can’t go overseas full-time to do mission work. This can leave us feeling as though we aren’t missionaries. But this couldn't be further from the truth.
Each Christian who lives their life dedicated to Jesus and is willing to profess that to others is a missionary. Some are old, some young, some women, some men, some professionals, some tradesmen, etc. Each true believer of Jesus can be and is a missionary each day where they live and work.
Is there someone better equipped to understand and minister to the people in your city, town or neighborhood than you? Can you be a missionary in your hometown? Of course, and frankly you should be.
God has placed you where you are for just a time as this. He has given you opportunities to witness about Him to the people you see each day and week. Don’t just wait for the faraway opportunity; make sure you pay attention to the local opportunities.
Jesus’ words should ring in our ears no matter where in the world we find ourselves witnessing.
Matt. 28:19–20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus has called each one of us to share His love and salvation with all nations, all peoples, all countries, all cities, all neighborhoods.
This includes your own city, town, neighborhood and street!
(fill this out for yourself)
I, ________________________________(name), am a missionary/witness for Jesus Christ.
As a _____________________________________ (occupation or current status),
I am a missionary to _____________________________________ (main group you are around),
and I share Jesus through my _____________________________(actions, prayers, attitude, etc.)
