Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/80

Contributor - Rev. Wallance Stoepker

Title - Missions- Why?

Topic - Missions

Acts 26:18 "I send you to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."

There is one story that Paul liked to tell better than any other. He told this story wherever his missionary travels for Christ took him. This story must have had great significance, for it is the one story that is repeated three times in the book of Acts. That narrative the apostle rejoiced to tell was the story of his own conversion. He told it in the synagogues, in prisons, on the city street comers, and to pagan and Jew. In this testimony Paul tells the assignment he received from Christ. In it I find the "why?" of missions. Acts 26:18

Our denomination continues to spend millions on missions. We might ask, is the need still there? Mission work has continued for centuries and we as the RCA have done it for over 150 years. But, in spite of our noble efforts to evangelize the world, the pagan population is increasing faster than the Christian community. We must discover again the urgency n our Lord's command to go to the world.

Some Christians are still trying to decide if mission work is still necessary. Others need to be convinced to support it. To question the need for missions makes as much sense to me as a group of fireman called to a burning building questioning if there is need to put out the fire. Delay makes the task increase. Jesus said: "the field is the world". And up to today no nation is totally Christian; some places have scarcely been touched.

Why missions? Although our missionaries are not preaching a social gospel, they cannot help but be aware of the living conditions that exist where godliness and cleanliness are lacking. Visiting missionary persons show slides of the unsanitary conditions that prevail in many places.

Sickness is rampant and there may be but one medical missionary for a quarter of a million people. Ancient diseases such as leprosy are still common. Blindness also common and many children perish before the age of five. Some mothers do not know how to care for their children.

I am still amazed when I learn today that in some continents the witch doctor still holds a spell over the people. Missionaries tell us they are the closest thing to a demon-possessed person. His medicine is bitter, his "cures" often make the patient worse through infection, etc., but his hold over the tribe prevails. So, the pagan religion brings fear, tells of gods to be appeased, spirits to be dreaded who lurk everywhere, and in general, bring no peace of heart. They are "without God and without hope".

One man, in talking to the Duke of Wellington, asked what he thought about missions. The Duke replied, "What are your marching orders?" The answer is clear, "go into all the world". Christ's mandate is not a simple request, it is a command. To ignore is to disobey.

Yet our motive is not duty but desire, love for the lost. It must not be pity but compassion. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus may well picture our situation as Christians in Canada. We are rich in privileged,, possession of the Scriptures, opportunities to hear the Word, Christian education and means to spread the gospel. But, some who claim the name Christian merely let a few crumbs of the gospel fall to the pagans. I have no doubt but that we will be held accountable for neglect.

Mission schools must be established. All of us know that children are the most receptive. Here they can be influenced every day. Medical missions open doors that might at first be closed. Relief of pain opens hearts. Home life must be influenced. No other religion but ours tells husbands to love their wives and treat them with respect. Churches must be built. A new inroad today is agricultural missions. We teach the people how to irrigate, fertilize and produce better crops and cattle. Hunger is the number one problem today. Helping to feed the stomach creates a hunger for God's Word.

Pray for our missionaries as they teach the way of salvation. Pray that they may help these people through Christ to be delivered from their sin and superstition. Let them learn that God is love. Share with others our joy of the knowledge of Christ's coming and the thrill of the hope of heaven. Let us "lay up treasures in heaven" by being partners with Christ in the most urgent task. Replace the "why?" in mission to "go"!

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