KENYA 2023
Stanford E. Murrell
We go in gospel obedience to the commandment of Christ.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
We go to evangelize the lost.
God has a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Those whom the Father has given to the Son will be drawn to Him, but they will be drawn by the Spirit, and by the Word.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:14, 15).
“Some want to live within the
sound of church chapel bells.
I want to run a rescue shop
within ayard of Hell.”
~C. T. Studd
We go to make disciples.
After receiving the gospel, individuals need to be discipled. New Christians need to be taught the whole counsel of God. It is the will of the Lord. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20).
We go because the love of Christ compels us to go.
“For Christ’s love compels us” (2 Cor. 5:14). As a youth I attended Galilean Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, founded by the pastor and evangelist, Dr. John R. Rice. Week after week I saw a poster in the sanctuary that asked a good question.
“Why should anyone hear the gospel twice,
Before everyone has heard it once?”
We go because we have heard the Macedonian Call, “Come and help us.” (Fiji)
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9-10, NIV).
While ministering in Fiji, the pastor said to me, “I am so glad you came. I have not had any time off in seven years.” Sometimes, even a short trip can be of help to a pastor and people in a foreign land without many resources.
When we go, we not only preach the gospel, but distribute Bibles and gospel literature, without charge. We also show how a Bible Institute can be started and provide initial resources for continuing education for those who want to know more about the Word of God.
We go to be within the geographical will of the Lord.
God has a linguistic will for His people, what He wants us to say. God has an occupational will for His people, what He wants us to do. And, God has a geographical will for His people, where He wants us to be.
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:29-35).
We go because we are more afraid of God than man.
There are individuals who are opposed to foreign mission ministry. I have been opposed myself, so I speak from experience. However, if, after prayer, God has opened a door for ministry, then no man should close it (Rev. 3:8).
We go because we want to be useful in the work of the kingdom. Here am I Lord, send me.
“Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me?” (Isaiah 6:8).
I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord, if you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord, if you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
~ Dan Schutte
We go to use the spiritual gifts of God.
God has given to the Church “some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:11-15).
Why we do not go.
We do not go because we want an exotic vacation. We go to the poorest of the poor, and often endure primitive accommodations, compared to Western standards.
We do not go to save money. A foreign trip can turn into a substantial expenditure, especially if books, Bibles, and food is provided for the people, without cost to them.
We do not go out of any feeling of spiritual superiority. We glory only in the Cross, and the great things Christ has done for us.
We do not go for better health. God uses broken vessels, and we can testify to that. In our weakness, Christ is made strong.
We do not go to find excitement and safety. Some of the places we travel to can be dangerous. Many countries have travel advisories. In Nigeria, in 2022, more than 4,000 Christians were killed by the followers of Islam. These religious zealots believe they are doing the will of God, as Jesus said would happen. While I was preaching in Port-Harcourt, the Church was protected by armed guards with AK 47 rifles.
On 29 February 2004, a Haitian coup d’étatin took place, after several weeks of conflict. The result was the removal of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from office. I was in Port-au-Prince during that event. There is nothing exciting about leaving a safe environment in America to go to a faraway land filled with hatred, bloodshed, and violence.
Nevertheless, as the Lord leads, we will go.
“Behold, I have set before you an open door,
and no man can shut it.”
~Revelation 3:8
