The Great Commission: Keep the Go-ers Going

“Vocational missionaries to foreign, remote areas face enormous challenges,” explained a 16-year mission field veteran. “They are hungry for any opportunity to grow spiritually because they deal with overwhelming obstacles.”

When it comes to fulfilling The Great Commission, these precious servants are called Go-ers. They leave their homes and go to isolated regions to share the gospel. While Senders (people who provide support and encouragement for those who share the gospel) and Converts (those who find new life in Christ and continue to grow) are also essential in The Great Commission equation, Go-ers fill a unique role. They get out of their comfort zone physically, emotionally, and spiritually to obey God’s call.

A Go-er’s Unique Struggles

This special group undergoes these unique struggles on the mission field:

• Separation from family, friends, church relationships
• Cultural differences: language, food, gestures, and even behaviors
• Spiritual warfare
• Disease and sickness
• Lack of creature comforts
• Isolation, inaccessibility
• Financial challenges
• Political unrest
• Physical danger

What a Go-er Craves Most

Interestingly, Go-ers are more than willing to accept the above challenges, even when serving in remote areas, provided they have one thing: spiritual support. This is where the rest of God’s people can step in with help.

Go-ers are on the front lines of the battle. God’s people are their support chain. Even the most passionate and adaptable Go-er can be disheartened by stress, conflict, and lack of progress. They need both offensive and defensive weapons to not lose heart and keep fighting. Training, materials, prayer, encouragement, on-site visits, and words of affirmation are powerful spiritual tools that allow Go-ers in remote areas stand their ground (Ephesians 6:13).

Other believers play an incredibly crucial role for Go-ers by providing tools and emotional, spiritual, practical, and financial support. Without them, Go-ers burn out, get discouraged, and give up. But with God’s people actively behind them, we can keep the Go-ers going.

Growth Point

• Spiritual support keeps the Go-ers going.

Scripture

• Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)

Prayer Points

• Why are vocational Go-ers to remote areas so vital to The Great Commission?
• Name reasons why a vocational Go-er might value spiritual tools, training, prayer, and encouragement more than any other kind of support.
• If you’re a vocational Go-er, identify how you’re cultivating spiritual support. If you’re a not a vocational Go-er, identify someone who is – and offer spiritual support.

More About The Great Commission

Senders: A Hearing, Cheering Squad
Converts: More Than Just Numbers