I once attended an evangelism seminar where a peculiar view of missionary work was taught. According to the presenter, one is considered a missionary only if they leave their vocation and professional work to go to unreached areas to evangelize and found churches. To me, this sounded overly simplistic. I was left contemplating, if “every truly-converted soul is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary,”[1] should we all then leave our professions and head into conventional mission fields? That viewpoint felt wrong, prompting me to examine more deeply what it means to be a missionary.
Whether a teacher in a classroom, a nurse attending to patients by meeting both physical and spiritual needs, a truck driver ferrying relief supplies to feed hunger-stricken families, or even a woodworker in his workshop, all are missionaries. Ellen White expresses this idea when she says that God’s followers “may spend their lives within the circle of the home; they may engage in life’s common vocations or go as teachers of the gospel to heathen lands; but all are alike called to be missionaries for God, ministers of mercy to the world.”[2]
Being a missionary is not a career chosen by a few but a call from God for all who believe in Him.[3] God commands us to prioritize this call over our ambitions and plans, no matter where we are or in what occupation we find ourselves. Like Isaiah, a missionary eagerly responds, “Here am I! Send me.”[4] While some may be called to go to unreached places, like Paul’s mission to reach the unreached gentiles,[5] every believer is called to make disciples.
Our misunderstanding of missionary work may largely issue from failure to perceive work as something sacred. God Himself created man in His own image[6] and gave him an occupation,[7] thereby sanctifying work and establishing it as a part of our divine purpose to glorify God.[8]
In Jewish society, there was no separation between work and religion.[9] True spirituality arises from the heart and extends to all facets of life. For the Israelites, religion wasn’t an accessory, but rather the foundation upon which everything else rested. It wasn’t merely an inner disposition divorced from external activities, nor were external activities divorced from inner spirituality. The Jews understood a critical truth: True religion springs from a deep relationship with God and governs every aspect of life.
By their way of life, Israel preached a greater sermon to the surrounding nations than any evangelistic series.[10] When the queen of Sheba witnessed the achievements of Solomon, when she saw his lifestyle, she blessed the name of the God who placed Solomon on the throne.
I know many individuals whose faith goes beyond their homes and church circles, even entering into their workplaces. For example, Ms. Changu, who serves as a judge in Zimbabwe, received training in lifestyle education, and led a seminar for her colleagues on combating lifestyle diseases naturally. She tells her colleagues that her health decisions are guided by her faith in God, and through her efforts, the light of the gospel is gradually increasing around her. Kay, another friend of mine, loves to share her faith. She works in a non-Adventist school in Zambia, but seeks to share her faith with her co-workers by offering them literature. After reading When God Said Remember by Mark Finley, one of her co-workers chose to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These are just two stories, among many, of individuals who have accepted God’s missionary call and take their religion to their workplace, showing that missions is not just a career, but a lifestyle.
Openly sharing the gospel is not always possible, but living with integrity, selflessly serving colleagues, and promoting a loving environment at work are things that can be done anywhere. In The Desire of Ages we are reminded that “He [Jesus] was perfect as a workman, as He was perfect in character.”[11] Just imagine the profound impact if all church members carried our faith into our workplaces. How swiftly the gospel commission would be achieved!
Young Adventist students, entrepreneurs, and professionals, we must strive for excellence in our respective fields as we carry the torch of the gospel in our diverse spheres of influence.[12] We should aim to excel and set an example as diligent students, teachers, nurses, doctors, or craftsmen. Our mission is to transform classrooms, workplaces, businesses, and relationships. But how do we achieve this goal?
“True education is missionary training. Every son or daughter of God is called to be a missionary. We are called to serve God and one another.”[13] A revival of mission emphasis in our schools and churches is essential to prepare young people to accept Christ’s call. Education intertwined with practical missionary efforts, such as visiting the sick, aiding the elderly, and organizing evangelistic series, both locally and internationally, is crucial. If our education fails to equip young people to become missionaries, then we have failed to achieve the objectives of true education.
Missionary work isn’t a one-time subscription but a lifelong commitment to all-encompassing obedience to God. This commitment shouldn’t be defined solely by what we avoid doing but also by our actions and attitudes towards others. We must allow our beliefs to motivate our interactions with others. We are reminded that “[w]hat He [Jesus] taught, He lived. . . . Thus, in His life, Christ’s words had perfect illustration and support.”[14] It is only through our relationship with Christ that our influence will truly inspire others to come to Jesus and experience Him as a personal Savior. When this relationship is true in our lives, we won’t have to wait to go to foreign countries to preach the gospel. Whether at home, work, or school, in relationships or business, our lives will demonstrate that “[t]he strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”[15] Thus our life will lead people to Christ, step by step. Is this your desire? Do you accept God’s calling on your life to be a missionary?
[1] Ellen G. White, “Results of the New Birth.” The Signs of the Times, November 30, 1891.
[2] Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1905), 395.
[3] See Matt. 28:19-20.
[4] Isa. 6:8
[5] See Gal. 2:8.
[6] See Gen. 1:26, 17.
[7] See Gen. 2:15.
[8] See Isa. 43:7; 1 Cor. 10:31.
[9] See Deut. 6:6-9.
[10] See Deut. 4:6-8.
[11] Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 72.
[12] See Matt. 5:14.
[13] White, Ministry of Healing, 395.
[14] Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903), 78.
[15] White, Ministry of Healing, 470.