dictionary definition: “a person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote christianity in a foreigncountry”.
in the last weeks before leaving wisconsin, I began to notice patterns. one specifically was the word “missionary”. more and more people began to use the phrases “you’ll be a missionary so soon!” or “when you come back you’ll be a missionary!”- but it was only ever in future tense. it made me think, since when did you have to travel internationally to become a missionary? isn’t the “job” of a missionary to love people, and share about Jesus?
in the last month since living in ecuador i’ve noticed that while at ministry or talking to locals on adventure days they often ask us, “eres estudiante o misionera?” (are you students or missionaries?). we always answer “nosotras somos misioneras” (we are missionaries). but it seemed weird to me that all the sudden because we are “foreigners” we also ‘become’ missionaries.
this week the gap squad has been staying at Casablanca with us, which means- new conversations, new friends, new stories, and new definitions of community living (44 people is much different than 15 people). i felt like this was the perfect opportunity to find some answers to my questions. so, i decided to ask a mixture of semesters and gap squad people the following question and share their answers with y’all.
question: in a sentence or two, describe either what it means to be a missionary or what a missionary is.
- “a person who has the Holy Spirit living in them and working alongside the Lord to be a light to the community around them”
- “just because i’m out of the country doesn’t mean I all of the sudden became a missionary. the mission starts after committing to your “YES” in the Lord”
- “a missionary means going wherever it may be (your hometown or india) and showing whatever love it is you have to give. it’s not about pride and its not about selfishness. it’s about love.”
- “being a missionary to me is the call of my life, and the call of every other Christ follower. it’s something I can do overseas or in my own neighborhood, and its so much simpler than we make it out to be. to be a missionary is to live your life on mission. love Jesus, love people. simple!”
- “a missionary is someone who purposely goes out of their way to share God’s love with other people”
- “a fervent follower of Christ who follows Him where He calls, no matter where, no matter how. period”
my question for you is this, what does a missionary look like to you?
if your answer is similar to the dictionary definition, then my challenge for you is to think about how you could be a missionary in the United States. to your family, your neighbor or your friend.
sure, the Bible says to “go and make disciples of all nations”-BUT it also says countless times to love our neighbors, to share the word, and to follow the Lord no matter what. we can’t do those things if we are waiting for “the chance to go international”.
the time to follow through in the “yes” you committed to the Lord is now. go and share love, share scripture, follow Jesus. say yes to being a missionary.
