In North America, October is often known as the month of missions, so at this time many churches will host mission conferences to encourage believers to dedicate their lives in the service for missions. Last weekend, Rev. Cyrus Lam, director of Gospel Operational International, shared a message hoping to raise the understanding and dedication of the churches towards missions at the Long Island Harvest Life Church in New York City.
To better illustrate the situation of the Chinese church’s participation in global missions, Rev. Lam said that among the thousands of overseas Chinese churches worldwide the churches that participates in missions is considered an “endangered church.” He said that because less than 10% of the total number of overseas Chinese churches, which is around 1,000 churches, participates in missions.
“The present situation of the Chinese churches is far from its commonly perceived expression that the "21st century is the century of Chinese mission, Chinese churches shall continues the last baton of world missions,” expressed Rev. Lam. It is unfortunate that some churches are short-sighted, because they consider missions, which involves sending away money and people, as a loss.
“They don’t know that that mission is way for the churches to receive blessings and the proclamation of the gospel is the way to together with others to receive blessings,” said Rev. Lam. For example, Abraham followed the path that God told him to go and that can be thought of as the mission journeys. Although it may seem like Abraham lost everything by leaving behind his family, God will multiple his blessings.
In conclusion, Abraham received a total of eight blessings from God: blessings of wealth, blessings of a good name, blessings of the kingdom, blessings of descendants, blessings of protection, blessings of manifestation, blessings of a promise and the blessings to give blessings. Thus, mission is a path to receive blessings.
Referring to the story of the woman breaking the alabaster jar, Rev. Lam pointed out several special characteristics of mission. In Mark 14:7, Jesus said “have me”. This means that the essence and content of the gospel is Jesus Christ, so the essence of proclaiming the gospel and missions is to proclaim Jesus Christ.
In Mark 14:9, the verse that says “throughout the world” states clearly the special point of global missions. As the gospel does not belong to just the Jews, Chinese churches should also have a global vision, breaking the national barriers, walking beyond the four-walls of the church, bringing the gospel to all nations and all people, because the gospel is not for a particular ethnic group.
Furthermore, “The Gospel of Mark” did not record the name of this woman who broke the alabaster jar. This silently tells us that “The love of missions is hidden love, and the service in mission is nameless services.” Thus, we all need to become a nameless evangelist, silently offer up everything that we have for the Lord.
More so, the love of mission is highest love. Mission is the best thing that a believer can offer to the Lord, but this requires great sacrifice. Lastly, the love of missions is eternal love. Although our lives are short and we only have one life, when we offer up what we have, our lives will be remembers forever and they shall reveal boundless quality.
“I hope that the fire of missions can be ignited on all the Chinese churches and believers,” Exhorted Rev. Lam.
[Editor's note: Jonathan Quan from New York has contributed in this report.]
