Did you know that missionaries are leaving the field at a tremendous rate. For every 2 new missionaries that enter the field, 3 missionaries leave the field. And out of the 2 new missionaries 50% of those will leave the field with in the first 4 years. And the remaining 50% will leave the field within the 10 years. In fact the average length of missionary service is only 6 years.
One of the primary reason missionaries leave the field is the lack of prayer support. It has been reported that the average pastor prays only 7 minutes a day! A Christian on the average prays only 4 minutes a day and the average church prays only 2 to 3 minutes a week for its missionaries. Maybe that is why we are losing so many missionaries?
Missionaries are not leaving the harvest fields due to a lack of commitment or a loss of burden for the people. But the primary reason is the churches failure to pray. Do you remember William Carey the great missionary to India , said to a group of people, “I will go down [into India] if you hold the ropes.”
Likely we have all heard the story of that couple as they were preparing to leave for Africa known in that day as “The White Man’s Grave.” As they addressed their home church they said, “We are willing to take the risk and go to Africa if you, our home church, will promise to hold the ropes.”
In less than two years the missionary’s wife and child died of fever. The husband realized that his days were numbered and not waiting to send word of his coming, he started back home and arrived at the time of the Wednesday prayer meeting. He slipped in unnoticed, taking a back seat. At the close of the meeting, he went forward. Awe came over the people, for death was written on his face.
He said, ‘I am your missionary. My wife and my child are buried in Africa and I have come home to die. This evening I listened anxiously as you prayed for some mention of your missionaries to see if you were keeping your promise but in vain. You prayed for everything connected with your selves and your home circle, but you forgot your missionaries. I see know why I am a failure as a missionary. It is because you have failed to hold the ropes.’
If we are going to help advance world-wide missions than we must earnestly pray for our missionaries. Praying that they “do not grow weary in well doing” (II Theses. 3:13). But we must also pray;
Over the last week I was privileged to take a couple trips to other places of interest in the northeast. As we drove across the land to our destination, I looked out upon miles and miles of well-manicured corn rows. No land is wasted; every square inch is used to grow something that is useful for living; very little if any land is left to grow just plain grass. Everything… Read More....
“He that drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst again.”
HE THAT DRINKS OF THE WATER THAT I GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST AGAIN!!! HEY!!!
That is my freedom! What is this searching in my life? What is this restlessness? What is this thirsting for something more? Jesus is all that I need.
Lately I read about the Philistines capturing the ark &… Read More....
I had a good last-time with Class A on Thursday. We played Jeopardy with a review of things we had studied. They make everything fun and hilarious!!! It’s hard to explain it – just little actions like J & M slapping the desk (part of the game) to answer at the exact same time. I can’t even remember the super-funny thing we were laughing about. It was so cute! So… Read More....
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