Hurting Heroes by John Avant

Donna and I just returned from an astonishing week of ministry. We joined hundreds of missionaries overseas who gathered in one place for the first time in five years.  Our vision at Passion Promise Ministries is to see the Great Commission fulfilled in the next ten years.   For this to occur, we have to have missionaries who go to the field and stay healthy on the field. Donna and I had the privilege of teaching marriage and parenting to some of these missionaries.  

We tend to glamorize the life of a missionary in our churches. There is no question in my mind that these incredible servants are heroes.

But many are hurting heroes.  

Many of these missionaries were very vulnerable with us during our time together.  

Here’s the three big ways you can pray for them:

They are lonely. 

They face personal opposition and conflict. 

They are overwhelmed.

We should not be surprised at this, though. The greatest missionary of all time, the apostle Paul felt the same way.  In II Timothy 4, Paul names three people who left him alone. In verse 16, Paul said that everyone had left him alone! You can feel the tension of not only the opposition of those who wanted to stop Paul, but even the conflict with believers who should have been supporting him.  Paul said Demas left him because he “loved this present world.” (Vs 10) Paul was also overwhelmed by being cold, not having the books or even the pen and paper he needed to write with. 

Yet, Paul trusted God through it all.  

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭

This is the same heart of these precious missionaries, who we just spent a week with, and who have now returned to difficult places.  

You can help! They are not meant to do this on their own!

— Join us in prayer that the same God who strengthened Paul will strengthen these missionaries in their loneliness, their opposition and their overwhelmed hearts. 

— Go to them!  I believe every follower of Jesus has the responsibility to know, love and support at least one missionary family. If it is at all possible, go with your church to serve a missionary family.  

You can even go with us! We are always looking for people to join us overseas to serve missionary families.  Check out our website calendar for our next trip.  

— Live a missional life where you are! Never take for granted the privilege of worship. These  missionaries are never able to gather with a large group where they live. To lift our hands and hearts with them over the last week was deeply emotional. No one is stopping you in this country!  Lift up your worship to the King and bring someone along with you!

“Missions exist because worship doesn’t.” John Piper

When you share your faith with someone, invite them to your church and see them become a follower of the King, you are a missionary too!

I wish I had permission to tell you the full story of what God is doing through one man in a dark place, who came to know Jesus less than a decade ago. I was able to meet him and worship with him years ago. Through his one life leaders are coming to Christ all across his country.  At least 13 churches have been started through this one life. 

One missionary lit that candle which has now become a roaring gospel flame. 

You never know what God might do with one person that you shared Jesus with this week! 

Missionaries are heroes. But they are hurting heroes. 

Maybe you are hurting, too. 

Remember today that these beautiful words from Paul will be your story one day too!

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬