9 tips for life on mission

This article was originally written by Sue Sprenkle and uploaded to imb.org

Retirement missionaries offer advice for the next generation.

The 20-year-old stopped letters. Within the old -fashioned communication style, there were encouraging words and advice for the missionary of the new international mission committee.

The letters confirmed the words that Zoe Hill in the first Baptist Church Columbia, Mississippi, from the retired IMB missionaries Tom and Gloria Thurman, who personally heard countless times:

1. The call of a believer is about giving up everything the world offers to follow Jesus.

2. His word is better and true.

However, Hill's favorite advice came when 91-year-old Tom pulled her aside before she went to mission training. She wanted to serve in an area of ​​the world in which Christianity is not always welcome. He knew that hard days came, so he advised:

3. If they hate you; Tell them to reject Jesus; Throw stones and dirt on the face and don't want to do anything with you, remember, Jesus is better. They are there to sow the gospel seeds. Let the Holy Spirit work in his timing.

“Here is this man who was a missionary in a country with civil wars, sin and a lot of hatred that I stick to something,” said Hill. “It means so much because he and Miss Gloria lived it and continue to capture them so firmly that 'Jesus is better.”

For Hill, it is important for their generation to learn from the missionaries who went before them. She was sitting for hours and picking the Thurmans brain courtyards and picking up information that could help down the street. “I'm not the only one [missionary candidate] You have invested in, ”she said. “You should go … get this advice first -hand.”

Columbia, Mississippi

The new wooden ramp in the carport of the Thurmans in Columbia, Mississippi, blew the smells of house cooking. Remains of more than 30 years in Bangladesh fill this red brick house-falling photos of friends and their children are scattered in the meticulous needle point scenes of life in South Asia.

Tom pointed to a seat next to a cabinet with jewelry and vases from all over the world. “What did Miss Zoe get us to do?” He joked.

With a turn of his stick, Tom became serious. “I hope we won't waste your time. We don't look after anyone. “Gloria put her head out of the kitchen, spooning her hand and adding:” We only answer questions and talk. “

But even when she tried to distract attention to the church on the other side of the street, in which Tom serves as a high -ranking adult minister, they dropped a grain of wisdom.

4. A missionary is never alone in his endeavor. The all-in support of Southern Baptist Churches is of the utmost importance for the health and longevity of their missionaries.

“We recognized on the way that this is a Baptist effort in Southern Baptist,” said Gloria. “If many people didn't do a lot of things, we weren't where we were.”

The churches bundle their resources through the cooperative program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® to send missionaries to the nations. But support goes beyond financial gifts. Churches pupils and schools potential missionaries. Churches offer emotional and physical support and go side by side with their IMB missions.

The connection between the Thurmans with FBC-Columbia was so strong that they were withdrawn from their support system on the other side of the street. Now this couple is doing everything to support the next generation of missionaries.

Nextgen Council

Gloria lovingly touched a photo on the fridge when she healed through the kitchen and made breakfast. “This little girl is something special,” she said, touched her heart. Despite the distance, the missionary and the retired missionary have a special bond and speeches.

At the next pass she touched a photo of Zoe Hill. Photos of missionaries with whom you are directly connected are plastered on three sides of the fridge. Ministeries from all over the world are represented in this collage, and Gloria can tell you a story about any person.

Tom has a similar exhibition in his office in the church. For Gloria it is a visual memory to pray. For Tom, the display helps to search for discussions about missions.

“When a student comes to me and expresses a certain interest in missions, I ask the first thing I ask:” How many people did you tell about God today? “, Said Tom,” because …

5. Missions start at home. Be involved where you are. The big commission begins from there.

Gloria took a look at Tom to prevent him from preaching a whole sermon before 7 a.m. when she picked up her phone. She smiled. Hill's text to tease the couple over “good advice” could not have been more perfectly coordinated. The three tried back and forth when Hill brought them to the latest through their service and their life in Africa.

With their refrigerator collage of people through text, signal, WhatsApp, various social media outlets and even e -mails, the Thurmans step. Immediate communication with “at home” was not possible for most of the time in Bangladesh. Gloria pointed out that this has advantages.

6. Keep your church and prayer knead up up to date. There is nothing comparable with thousands of Southern Baptists who pray.

At the same time, she warned new missionaries to be “connected to home in connection with” and to miss what is in front of them.

7. Participate in the local community. It will be a feeling of belonging and the possibilities to share the gospel.

Life in the community with those who have never heard the name of Jesus is one of the best ways to share the gospel. This means being involved in a local church, whatever the look. It means sharing life and burdening with neighbors.

“One of the best things we did for our service and our quality of life in Bangladesh was to be active in our community,” said Tom. When he remembered what it took to go through a rough civil war, he added: “Your friends in this community will give you a wise advice. You want you to be successful. “

Gloria kept her phone up to show a picture that came from Europe that morning. A young missionary smiled in the camera with a group of women at the table. The missionary shared her excitement to study stories from the Bible.

8. Celebrate the heights! Remember why you are excited and write it down. You won't remember it later, but you will need it on the low days.

“Make it a habit of thanking God for a positive thing for the day,” added Gloria to her advice.

Missions DNA

The Thurmans, who were still convinced that they “not look after”, went across the street to FBC-Columbia. Gloria discovered a young mother who came to church to help her children with food. When the two women went to food vouchers, they spoke quietly.

Tom waved Brett Frazier, the main pastor of the church, to join the discussion about advice. Frazier remembered that Tom and Gloria taught a class about spiritual warfare as a summer mission in college.

“I have never forgotten the advice and mentoring that they gave us,” said Frazier with a smile. “It is what you do.”

The pastor explained the Thurmans together with another retired IMB couple and missionaries, who remained in the church's mission house, their community in organic ways. They sit at the dining table and talk to the youth. You teach Bible courses and take part in activities. They keep the focus of the Commission's big task.

Frazier looked at Tom and offered a last tip.

9. Churches, hosts and partners with them. These missions rubbed off. It opens a biblical worldview with a heart for the nations. It will not be long before they are a church that sends.

Some names have been changed for security reasons