Send and Support a Missionary

Send and Support a Missionary

Acts 13:3

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Thoughts for Today: Previously, while Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul were worshiping and praying, the Holy Spirit came upon them and told them to set aside Barnabas and Saul "for the work to which I have called them". As is the case in most encounters with the Holy Spirit, He doesn't tell the group about the specifics of the mission only about their role, and that is to simply send them off. A few Sundays ago a family came forward at church to dedicate their new born baby. The young mother and father were joined by grand parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and several friends. It was quite a large group and it was the right picture of how all of us should go through our Christian life, including every mission we are called to by the Holy Spirit, and that is with the full support of our Christian family. All of us watching knew this baby was going to be brought up, nurtured, prayed over, educated, directed, encouraged and corrected with Jesus Christ at the center. I think that is exactly what should happen before and after we lay hands upon one of our missionaries as they are sent into service by the Holy Spirit. We are not only "dedicating" and commissioning them for service, but also committing ourselves to supporting their work as well. We can't go on or be involved in every mission; however we can support our missionaries with our prayers and finances. One of the things that's so important to a missionary is the knowledge that their work is remembered and valued by the people back home and the church body remains in prayerful support and encouragement. Questions to Ponder: Can you name two missionaries from your church family? Did you come forward to lay hands upon them when they were commissioned for service? Did you come forward to lay hands upon our young people as they went off to high school or college? Why or why not? How have you supported these people from our body the church who are on missions? Do you pray for them regularly? Will you start now? How will you start?