Witness Spring 2022 Contents Editorial: The Call..................................................... 2
The Call EDITORIAL | Vic Wiens
Wherever, Whenever..............................................4 Ask God Which Town............................................6 Three Decades in Portugal..............................10 Don’t Go....................................................................... 12 When the Sent are Sent Away........................14
Staff Managing Editor..................Mark J.H. Klassen Layout & Design..........................Darcy Scholes Illustration & Design..................... Colton Floris Prayer Mobilization..........................Nikki White
Is some special call required for missionary service? Perhaps you have asked yourself that question, or you’ve heard it being asked by others, such as your children or grandchildren, or those you are discipling. If so, how does the call happen? How can someone be sure it’s God calling, and not just their own thoughts or feelings? You have probably heard colorful quotes like these regarding God’s call to service: “If God hasn’t called you to stay, you are called to go!” (Keith Green); “If God has fit you to be a missionary, I would not have you shrivel down to be a king!” (Charles Spurgeon); or “Don’t bother to give God instructions, just report for duty!” (Corrie Ten Boom). These may inspire you, or intimidate you, or infuse you with more questions than answers, but let’s take a minute to explore this matter further.
Story Research..................................Eric Geddes Circulation.......................................... Robin Lesser Media Director................................ Daniel Lichty
How can someone be sure it’s God calling, and not just their own thoughts or feelings?
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In our last edition of Witness, we trumpeted the “Macedonian call” which highlighted the request from peoples and regions beyond to “come over and help us.” The original story is found in Acts 16 where this call for help came in a dream to Paul and his team, inviting them to bring the Good News to Macedonia. We are hearing a similar call today from many countries. However, there is an even more basic call we must consider. It is the call to leave, to go, and to serve. Some call it the “missionary call.” Regrettably, this matter has generated lots of questions and even confusion, as the quotes above remind us. Below, I will offer some thoughts for your consideration, thoughts that I’ve gathered over my forty-year journey in mission. First, I would encourage you to start with the Scriptures. There are certain calls in the Bible that are for all of us. We’re all called to trust and obey Jesus. We’re all called to go and make disciples. We’re all called to pray and to give. No need for any special call here. However, the Bible also records on numerous occasions God’s call for some extraordinary assignments. Abraham was called to leave his homeland, and to go to Canaan, where he would be blessed in order to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Jonah was called to go and preach to Nineveh, and then he was called again after he disobeyed the first call! Barnabas and Saul were “set apart” for an assignment that was yet to be revealed (Acts 13:1-4). Do missionaries need a call? Most of those who have been missionaries, or oversee missionary work, would answer “yes.”
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