a ministry for independent, Baptist missionaries and pastors - Acts 8:31
Enjoying Your Pre-field Ministry
Hopefully no missionary would desire to be on deputation indefinitely, but this does not mean we should drudge through it either. The heart’s desire is to get to the mission field as quickly as possible, which it should be. If we are not careful, though, we will be so focused on ministering in the future that we fail to minister in the present.
1. Minister to your family - The last thing you want to do is race to the end of deputation and, when the dust settles, find that your family is not there. There will always be more churches to call, packets to mail, bills to pay, etc. Since missionary work is not a “clock-in” and “clock-out” job, you must be careful to change gears and spend time with your family. Here are some suggestions:
- Have family devotions and times of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)
- Stop at historical sites, zoos, parks, malls, etc. You and your family are sacrificing much on deputation so do not feel guilty taking time to do these types of activities. You do not have to be extravagant, just purposeful and creative. Annual family zoo memberships will often include free or discounted admission to other zoos and aquariums throughout the country.
- Spend time with your wife and be sure to know what she is thinking, feeling, and desiring (Proverbs 27:23). It is amazing how one can travel with and constantly be with one’s wife and yet not truly communicate with any depth of heart. Be sensitive to her needs and prayerfully consider how to meet those needs (I Peter 3:7). It is a sobering fact that missionaries have lost their wife and ministry before ever reaching the field.
2. Minister to others - Do not wait until you reach your field to minister. If you on on deputation, you will not be a missionary, you ARE a missionary. You have been called to be an evangelist. People in America need the Gospel just as much as those in the country you are desiring to minister. God will providentially give you divine appointments with people as you travel that need to hear the Gospel. Some will be seeds planted, other watered, and sometimes you will reap a soul for Christ. You may never arrive in the country to which you are desiring to go. You could have health problems, the country could close, or Christ may return. In light of this, we must make the most of serving Christ and others today.
- Carry and liberally hand out Gospel tracts while you travel. It is best to use tracts from the local church you are visiting. You never know whether you may have a direct influence in seeing someone saved and added to the church you are seeking support from.
- Be actively involved in soul-winning wherever you are and whenever you can.
- Seek to encourage the host families you stay with on deputation. Find out any special prayer requests they may have. If you have abilities in doing repairs or other services, seek to use them in ministering to them.
- Recruit and challenge others to be missionaries and be involved in missions. The need is great for more labourers in His harvest. Encourage and be careful not to discourage obedience to the call of missions.
3. Let others minister to you - Despite what others may think of you, you are human. You have like passions, physical limits, and spiritual trials. Be open and willing to let God minister to you through other people.
- Do not refuse gifts that God lays upon people’s hearts to give you. If you are used to being the one blessing other people, it can be difficult (or should we say humbling) to be on the side receiving gifts. The Bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive. Do not rob them of that blessing and joy.
- Listen to pastors and veteran missionaries. Take their advice and constructive criticisms and let them be tools to sharpen you for ministry. Deputation is a time of learning and preparation. Be a sponge and soak up all you can from other men of God (and your wife from the women of God).
- Read books that will equip you more for ministry and deepen your walk with God and knowledge of His Word. While you may never meet the authors face-to-face, they can still have a direct influence in ministering to you during your pre-field ministry.
Deputation does not have to be dreaded or regretted if you keep these three tips in mind. Your pre-field ministry may last a year, two, or more. Regardless of that time frame, you can be content and enjoy the season of deputation. Only heaven will tell the fruit that will come during those months and years before ever reaching “the mission field.”
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