Look what God is doing in the life and family of my friend, Cindy Hunter. Cindy is the Director of Children’s Ministry & International Missions at my church. Check out this phenomenal interview:
1. I am quite aware that missionary work is your passion. Why are missions so important?
In John Piper’s Let the Nations Be Glad, he says “missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” My passion is worshiping God and glorifying His name. Missions flow out of that passion, yet I also pray for the day that there is no longer a need for missions. The day will be when all nations, tongues, and tribes know the name of Jesus and are glorifying His name. Revelation 15:4 declares “all nations will come and worship before you.” So, I guess my answer is actually that missionary work is not important, but instead worshiping God in a way that leads to such a love relationship with Him that you want every nation to know the God that loves you.
2. What does it mean to be “called” to the mission field?
We are not called to the mission field, we are called to take up our cross and follow Christ. In following Christ we desire to be obedient to his teachings and in Matthew 28:19, He commands everyone to go into all the world. Missions should naturally flow out of our love relationship with Christ. Our family has surrendered to full time missions because of a realization that there are people in the world who need the Lord and who do not have an opportunity to hear His name or know of His love. God called us to Him and through His eyes we have seen a hurt and lost world.
3. How has this call affected you and your family?
The most obvious affect on our life is that we are selling everything we own and preparing to say, “Good bye” to family and friends, but that is just the surface issue. This “calling” has drawn us each individually and as a family corporately closer to God. I regularly hear our children praising God and giving Him credit for ordinary things that prior to this surrender they would have missed. My husband has become the spiritual leader in our home in a way that he never was before. Our family has changed priorities – relationships have moved to the top of the list. We pray together and share insights from our quiet times together more than ever before. Everything we are giving up is worth it because of its effect on each of our individual relationships with Christ and with our relationships together.
4. Why Spain?
That is the most frequent question we get. There is an assumption that Spain, as well as most of Western Europe, is Christian. “They have a strong Roman Catholic background, and foundation so why send missionaries?” Spain has rejected religion and because of their post-modern mindset, they believe there is no need for Christ. The deception is that they are self sufficient. And yes, although they have a strong Roman Catholic culture, 78% of those who claim Catholicism as their religion go to church less than 5 times a year. 0.02% of Spaniards profess a personal relationship with Christ. The 2nd largest and fastest growing religion in Spain is Muslim. Spain is often referred to as the “grave yard for missionaries” because the spread of Christianity is slow and rejected.
5. Several months ago I read Vaughan Roberts book entitled, “God’s Big Picture.” There he stated, “Mission is not an option for the keen few; it is an obligation for us all.” Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
I wholeheartedly agree with Roberts. Repeatedly throughout scripture we are told to share Christ with others. If you truly love Christ you can’t keep Him to yourself. The problem, however, is that our definition of missions is warped. You do not have to sell all your wares and learn a foreign language to do missions. You can share Christ in your workplace here in America, with your neighbor, on the soccer field, or at school. But yes, we must also have a global mindset and be heartbroken for those who have never heard the name of Christ. Romans 10:14 -15 says “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Teaching and sending are all part of missions.
6. How can we all become more informed concerning missions?
Pray for God to open your eyes to opportunities. He will always answer that prayer. Read. Begin with scripture then I recommend Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper as a great starting point. Ask questions. Talk to people who are involved in missions, both, in America and abroad, in social missions as well as church planting, in your denominational sending agency and in non-denominational places. Those actively involved in sharing God’s name love to tell you how God is making Himself known. Partner. Connect with some of these missionaries and partner with them – thorough prayer, financial donations, work, and friendship.
Natasha’s Comments: Follow Cindy’s family missionary journey here. Cindy also led our Honduras mission team this summer.
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Not all Christians will have an opportunity to serve on an international mission. How do you make disciples?
© Natasha L. Robinson 2010
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 