Christian Discipleship Course 31.

Question and answer: “Is mission work the same as evangelism?”

Evangelism is usually witnessing in your own area or country, mission work is witnessing in another country. Some people become missionaries and move to another country for many years, others go on short-term mission trips, perhaps for a few weeks, a month, or a year.

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said, "All Authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even to the end…”

Jesus was the greatest missionary who ever walked on earth. He left His familiar surroundings (heaven) and identified with mankind. He learnt their language and culture, and then shared God’s message.

Wisdom: Don’t allow fear of the unknown to stop you from moving into God’s plan. There is something worse than failure; that is to live in the regret of never stepping out in faith, and losing God’s plan for you.

You could go on a mission for a few weeks, a year, or even become a missionary. If you are willing, God will use you. He does not look at your ability, but your availability. God needs agents that He can send out to preach Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:20. If you are faithful to share the gospel in your own country, God may want to use you in other nations.

Fact: Every hour approximately 7,000 people die and go to hell.

You may not be called to become a missionary, but you do have responsibilities to pray and give money to missions. If you are willing to give a few weeks (or even a year) to God, you could go on a mission trip, and be sure it will change your life! When you go on holiday, you could take some tracts with you to leave them in an appropriate location and give out as God leads you Matthew 9:38, 10:1-42, Luke 10 1-20, John 4:34-38.

Think: Am I praying and giving to missions? Am I prepared to go?

More Info: Lamentations 3:27,28, Isaiah 28:9-10, 55:8, Hosea 4:6, 6:3, Matthew 10:7-8, John 14:15, 15:14, Acts 8:14, 13:1-5, 18:3,18-28, 20:27, Romans 10:15, 1 Timothy 4:12, Revelation 5:9,7:9. The book of Acts is the Holy Spirit empowered mission book.