July 26, 2016
by Dr. Dan Schafer
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2
Many have questioned whether the modern missionary movement has run its course. They point to the growth of national churches all over the world as evidence that missionaries are no longer needed from the West. While I agree that the Church is growing and maturing all around the world, and, thus, is and must continue to take an ever increasing role of reaching the world for Christ, it is not the decision of the Church (West or rest) as to when we stop sending missionaries. The missionary movement was initiated by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2) and only the Holy Spirit can decide when it is time for it to end.
There is no doubt that the traditional role of the missionary is changing in many areas of the world as the Church in those nations grows and matures. We can also see clearly that God is calling missionaries from the non-West areas of the world and sending those individuals out to other areas of the world, including sending some of them to the United States as missionaries.
But these realities don’t change the fact that there are no signs that the Holy Spirit is stopping the calling of missionaries or even slowing down that calling of missionaries. And, as long as God calls missionaries, WGM will continue to facilitate their ministries around the world.
Rather than seeing a slowing down of the Holy Spirit’s missionary movement, it would appear that we are on the cusp of the greatest expansion of missions in history. Therefore, WGM is preparing itself to be ready for this expansion. God is calling WGM to be a growing instrument for His kingdom. I believe God wants WGM to double the number of missionaries it deploys in the next 5 years.
Please join with us in praying that God will send forth the workers into His harvest field through WGM and that we will prepare them and support them so that they can have a great harvest for His kingdom.
Dr. Dan Schafer
President
World Gospel Mission