In the era of the Coronavirus people are afraid to cross town, much less to cross an ocean. What is the impact on us in the face of the command to make a difference with our lives?
Often we think of life in Christ for the benefits that accrue to us like the forgiveness of sin, walking in the fruit of the Spirit and the promise of Heaven. It is a real challenge to allow the Lord full access to our agenda when life is not going according to the expectations which often we dictate to Him. It is counterintuitive to respond like the prophet “Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food … yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. ” Habakkuk when circumstances disappoint us.
But in the midst of the pandemic, which does not appear to be letting up, the instruction to help, mentor, disciple others is not cancelled. So the charge is to press on in creative ways. The need to mentor is even greater now that nationals must step forward.
What are mission organizations doing about recruiting at this time? Know that they are working safe. Know that more workers are needed. Know that recruiting interviews, orientation and training is happening by means of electronic meeting. We are used to this now. Know that you are needed. Sign up at MissionNext to see how you fit.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
Nelson Malwitz, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer
Nelson is the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, raised in the C&MA, he attended Urbana ’67 in college. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and worked in R&D positions in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) and served in many leadership capacities of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext. Locally he attends a Torah study and is chairman of the sewer commission to serve among unchurched leaders.
1 thought on “The Coronavirus and Mission”
A missionary training organization reports:
Come. We’re still open. (With some obvious safety precautions)
One missionary training organization located in Georgia & Virginia is operating. However in the US we are investing in aspiring missionaries so that they have the knowledge, character, and practical experience to thrive on the field. We’re making disciple-making disciples among the people God is bringing to us as immigrants, refugees, and international students and showing our trainees how to do the same. Trainee numbers are down this semester but we’re still going. The ideal class size is 12-15 and includes singles, married couples, and families. Some are even experienced missionaries doing some continuing education while on furlough in the US.
We’ve aimed hard at reducing missionary attrition through hands-on, pre-field training and have been able to assess that.