“Missions Possible” by Larry Stout
“Missions Possible” by Larry Stout
I was probably asked the same question one hundred times – “Larry, what is like to be visiting Latvia?” To be honest, it did feel strange. After all, while living there for over fifteen years we had owned a home, raised three children, adopted another and for the most part held ‘regular’ jobs. Now I was there in Riga for a very limited time, living in an apartment house for professors, and had a schedule that gave me very little opportunity to do much outside of my assigned duties.
For two decades I have been doing mission work, both short-term and long-term. I realized that both serve an important function. There is a body of missionologists who claim that the day of the long-term missionary is over. From my perspective, I wholeheartedly disagree. Right now, there is a crying need for a resident director for the Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary, and it ideally should be by someone from Europe or North America. In Latvia alone, there are at least five positions I know of that would be greatly served by someone who would be willing to commit to a minimum of two to three years. Those who argue that these positions could be filled by nationals are right if we lived in a ‘perfect’ world – however in the real world, it often takes a pioneer who is willing to till the ground ahead of time so that the national can then take over.
When I was growing up as a Christian, missions was considered a very high calling. Pastors would exhort young people to consider serving the Lord in another country for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission. I tried to remember the last time I have heard such an appeal in the church today. Rather, the emphasis is on short-term mission visits. These are eye-openers for young people and I would never want to discourage them, but we should also be mindful in what it takes to actually produce a missions work opportunity for those just visiting.
My first such trip was in 1972 when my college music group, Joy Unlimited, traveled to the island of Jamaica for a week of ministry. I remember how exciting it was to play in schools during the day and at churches at night, and the tremendous delight in the Jamaicans with our music. We had a large number of people who made commitments to Christ that we passed along to the local pastors. By all accounts, this was a very successful short-term mission trip.
However, behind the scenes, there was a missionary who had worked for months preparing for our visit; working on accommodation, transportation, ministry schedule, etc., etc. I did not realize until years later just how much time and effort (and probably not a little money) he had poured into that one-week trip of twenty American college students. I remember at one point when we riding in a car together alone, I just asked out of curiosity about his work. I was astounded at how many tasks he had to do on a daily basis and these were obviously not getting done while he was babysitting us all over the island. My mind wondered for a few moments about how he was doing two things at once, but I left it go and did not pursue it. Probably in my mind, I wanted to believe that he was receiving such a blessing from our visit, his regular work would somehow just get done all by itself.
I learned by painful experience that this is not the case, when during the 1990s and even into the new millennium, my family and I had the privilege of hosting one group after another who wished to come to Latvia and ‘serve.’ I remember one particular group that I had to stop all my work for days as they made innumerable requests for assistance on everything from finding translators to where to buy aspirin. It took me weeks to catch up following their visit. Yet when I came across a copy of their mission report to their home church (it was not sent to us, we came across it second hand), it was filled with stories of how God miraculously opened doors and how smoothly everything went for them. Well, I am thankful that they the Lord the glory, but it also slightly misleading to act like a person only needs to step off a plane and suddenly everything falls miraculously in place.
At the same time, there were wonderful relationships built with groups like M.O.S.T. (Mission Opportunities Short Term) and our sister churches in Texas, who truly filled a vital need with their service of love. They were not Christian tourists but rather faithful servants who had networked with us who had linked into the local church – and together we did critical work for the sake of Christ’s kingdom.
I went on the mission field in 1991 because of short-term mission trips in 1989 and 1990. I realize the importance of both aspects – the long-term missionary who is able to put down a foundation that others can build on, and the short-term missionary who can supply vital support for specific projects. I know that all those who receive the PrayerNet have a heart for missions. I would hope that all would consider their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus did not say, “If you want to or if you feel led – go into the all the world…” No, he told ALL his disciples that they have a responsibility to go. If we are not physically doing so, we must be actively supporting those who are there on a long-term basis, either as a national or an expat serving those nationals, or those willing to go for a limited time for critical functions. The world is a big place, and we all need to work together in Christ to reach it for His name’s sake.
It is not a cliché…The most important thing you will do this day is pray! Your prayers make a difference!
I was probably asked the same question one hundred times – “Larry, what is like to be visiting Latvia?” To be honest, it did feel strange. After all, while living there for over fifteen years we had owned a home, raised three children, adopted another and for the most part held ‘regular’ jobs. Now I was there in Riga for a very limited time, living in an apartment house for professors, and had a schedule that gave me very little opportunity to do much outside of my assigned duties.
For two decades I have been doing mission work, both short-term and long-term. I realized that both serve an important function. There is a body of missionologists who claim that the day of the long-term missionary is over. From my perspective, I wholeheartedly disagree. Right now, there is a crying need for a resident director for the Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary, and it ideally should be by someone from Europe or North America. In Latvia alone, there are at least five positions I know of that would be greatly served by someone who would be willing to commit to a minimum of two to three years. Those who argue that these positions could be filled by nationals are right if we lived in a ‘perfect’ world – however in the real world, it often takes a pioneer who is willing to till the ground ahead of time so that the national can then take over.
When I was growing up as a Christian, missions was considered a very high calling. Pastors would exhort young people to consider serving the Lord in another country for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission. I tried to remember the last time I have heard such an appeal in the church today. Rather, the emphasis is on short-term mission visits. These are eye-openers for young people and I would never want to discourage them, but we should also be mindful in what it takes to actually produce a missions work opportunity for those just visiting.
My first such trip was in 1972 when my college music group, Joy Unlimited, traveled to the island of Jamaica for a week of ministry. I remember how exciting it was to play in schools during the day and at churches at night, and the tremendous delight in the Jamaicans with our music. We had a large number of people who made commitments to Christ that we passed along to the local pastors. By all accounts, this was a very successful short-term mission trip.
However, behind the scenes, there was a missionary who had worked for months preparing for our visit; working on accommodation, transportation, ministry schedule, etc., etc. I did not realize until years later just how much time and effort (and probably not a little money) he had poured into that one-week trip of twenty American college students. I remember at one point when we riding in a car together alone, I just asked out of curiosity about his work. I was astounded at how many tasks he had to do on a daily basis and these were obviously not getting done while he was babysitting us all over the island. My mind wondered for a few moments about how he was doing two things at once, but I left it go and did not pursue it. Probably in my mind, I wanted to believe that he was receiving such a blessing from our visit, his regular work would somehow just get done all by itself.
I learned by painful experience that this is not the case, when during the 1990s and even into the new millennium, my family and I had the privilege of hosting one group after another who wished to come to Latvia and ‘serve.’ I remember one particular group that I had to stop all my work for days as they made innumerable requests for assistance on everything from finding translators to where to buy aspirin. It took me weeks to catch up following their visit. Yet when I came across a copy of their mission report to their home church (it was not sent to us, we came across it second hand), it was filled with stories of how God miraculously opened doors and how smoothly everything went for them. Well, I am thankful that they the Lord the glory, but it also slightly misleading to act like a person only needs to step off a plane and suddenly everything falls miraculously in place.
At the same time, there were wonderful relationships built with groups like M.O.S.T. (Mission Opportunities Short Term) and our sister churches in Texas, who truly filled a vital need with their service of love. They were not Christian tourists but rather faithful servants who had networked with us who had linked into the local church – and together we did critical work for the sake of Christ’s kingdom.
I went on the mission field in 1991 because of short-term mission trips in 1989 and 1990. I realize the importance of both aspects – the long-term missionary who is able to put down a foundation that others can build on, and the short-term missionary who can supply vital support for specific projects. I know that all those who receive the PrayerNet have a heart for missions. I would hope that all would consider their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus did not say, “If you want to or if you feel led – go into the all the world…” No, he told ALL his disciples that they have a responsibility to go. If we are not physically doing so, we must be actively supporting those who are there on a long-term basis, either as a national or an expat serving those nationals, or those willing to go for a limited time for critical functions. The world is a big place, and we all need to work together in Christ to reach it for His name’s sake.
It is not a cliché…The most important thing you will do this day is pray! Your prayers make a difference!
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