Who Sends Missionaries?

     We understand that the Holy Spirit calls people to do mission work. Sometimes that call is to go next door and offer kindness in Christ’s name. Sometimes the Holy Spirit calls on us to get involved in the community and work with an organization like “Heart to Heart” over in Robertsdale. Sometimes His call is to national action through the Red Cross. In each case, the Holy Spirit is the One to send missionaries.

Where Do They Go?

     The Holy Spirit does put a call in the heart of some people to go abroad where the Name of Christ is unknown or dishonored. Nate and Rhoda Jore and their two kids, Elijah and Judah, understand the Lord’s calling to Uganda. They will be working under the auspices of AFLC World Missions. It will cost $60,000 a year to put them in Uganda and take care of their needs. Other AFLC missionaries have gone with other mission groups, being “on loan” from the AFLC. Last week we highlighted AFLC missionaries Darwin and MaryAnn Jackson working with the World Mission Prayer League in Mexico. A number of you will remember AFLC Pastor Don Richman and East European Missions Network--the AFLC has a number of AFLC folks on loan to EEMN, and so it goes. People sense where the Lord wants them to go on a mission and they get associated with a sending agency. Think of Ed and Eva’s son Gary getting connected with a church building-mission--it is the same idea for long-term or short-term missionaries.

Who Pays?

     When Zion Lutheran Church was part of the ECLA, there was little or no emphasis on mission. The tradition from back in Augustana Synod times and into the LCA and ELCA is that the national church sends missionaries with the national church paying salaries. Zion’s first pastor, Pastor Benson, was called to China on mission and was supported by the Augustana Synod. Unfortunately, that kind of mission work is nearly dead in many historic Lutheran churches. In the AFLC world missions work differently. Yes, our national AFLC church serves as a sending agency for missionaries. But going is not a church decision, but a personal one. By this, I mean that our AFLC missionaries are responsible for generating their own support, the dollars needed to maintain their mission work--the national church body supports their mission with prayer and management expertise, but the wherewithal to be a missionary must come from personally-raised funds.

     Here is how the Jores describe it: “We’ve had a few people ask us why we need to raise $5000/month. There are costs that an overseas missionary has that are different than the average American. The $5000/month covers several areas. First, 10% of every gift sent in for us goes to the World Missions Department to help cover administrative costs. A salary, housing allowance, pension, and health plan are also included in the total amount. There is also a fund set up that involves ministry-related expenses that can be used for various needs both on furlough and when we arrive on the field. Plane tickets and start-up costs are also factored in. We want to express our appreciation to the individuals and churches who have committed to supporting us financially. [The Jores’ mission is about two-thirds funded at this time. Think of Social Security taking 15% of whatever salary is. Then think of another 15% going for typical pension plan and perhaps a portion of health care. Then think of the buffer needed to cover the cost of money-changing and dollar value fluctuations--you get the idea of the intricacies of sending a missionary or being one.]

How Long Is A Mission?

     A mission can be a day, a week, a month, a year, and more.

Wycliffe Bible Translators

     On September 10, 2006, we heard from Jeremy and Bethany Honiker, a young couple who are building their funds for their mission. Wycliffe is a Bible translation ministry. Bible translators require unique and special training to accomplish the goal of providing the Bible in the heart language of people. Bethany is the Emberson daughter of the family that visited us in 2004.