The Best Thing About Being a Missionary

Stephen Langley • Apr 04, 2016

The best part of being a missionary is following God on a journey to bring him glory among the nations, an endeavor that cannot fail. Photo by TEAM in Mozambique.

Today we welcome Stephen Langley, an appointed TEAM missionary to South Africa, to share his thoughts on what motivated him to choose missions as his career.

It may seem presumptuous for a missionary who has not yet left for his assignment to claim to know “the best thing about being a missionary.” But bear with me. I think I’m onto something here, and I invite any of my veteran missionary friends to tell me if I’m wrong.

Last week, I was vacuuming one of the hallways in my church and pondering my family’s future. I had just finished listening to a John Piper sermon on world evangelism. As usual with Piper, I found it at once challenging and inspiring. It got me reflecting on my chosen vocation: missionary.

Being a Missionary is Fail-Proof

The word “missionary” holds so many different meanings for so many different people. For some, it merely means “foreigner.” For others, it means “hero” or “fearless Christian.” Still, others hear the word and think, “colonizing, culture-wrecking, society-meddling, proselytizing dummkopfs.”

For me, “missionary” symbolizes something I’ve always wanted to be and always doubted I could be. Nonetheless, I’ve pursued this career diligently, drawing encouragement from the fact that nearly every missionary I have ever known or read about has likewise doubted his or her ability to serve God in an intercultural context.

“Missionary” means men and women I know personally who have spent decades in another country, giving up every conventional idea of normality and comfort for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It means serving God in a way that forces me to depend upon Him completely, for absolutely everything.

It means going where I think my gifts and passions fit best, knowing it will mean that I never quite fit in anywhere ever again. For many — perhaps someday for those I love and even myself — it means martyrdom.

It means joy, anxiety, passion, fear, excitement, uncertainty and trust.

It means many things. But what struck me on this day with more profundity than ever before is this:

Being a missionary means following God in a vocation in which we cannot possibly fail. That is the best thing about being a missionary.

It is the only job I know of in which you are guaranteed to be absolutely, 100 percent, gloriously successful in your career goals. That is, if your goals are the same as God’s. Herein lies the key: If our goal is God’s goal, then it will be achieved. There is nothing else about which we can be more certain than this resounding scriptural truth: God will accomplish all His purposes!

God’s Goal Can’t Be Missed

In Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV), God says, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”

What are His purposes? Ultimately, He has but one: Nothing less than His own glory, consummated in the receiving of the worship and honor due His name from every tribe, tongue and nation under heaven.

Once again, I have John Piper to thank. It was he who showed me how the Scriptures are absolutely replete with this marvelous truth. He in turn credits C.S. Lewis and Jonathan Edwards for opening his eyes to this core scriptural theme in their monumental works The Weight of Glory and The End for Which God Created the World respectively. I commend their writings, along with Piper’s, to anyone and everyone.

Piper has helpfully compiled a survey of the biblical evidence for this doctrine in this magnificent article. For brevity’s sake, I summarize his work here, and I think you’ll agree:

The weight of the Bible’s emphasis on this theme is staggering.

God chose his people for His glory. (Ephesians 1:4-6, 12, 14)
God created us for His glory. (Isaiah 43:6-7)
Jesus sought the glory of His Father in all He did. (John 7:18)
Jesus told us to do good works so that God gets glory. (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12)
Jesus warned that not seeking God’s glory makes faith impossible. (John 5:44)
Jesus said He answers prayer in order that God would be glorified. (John 14:13)
Jesus endured the cross for God’s glory. (John 12:27-28)
God gave His Son to vindicate the glory of His righteousness. (Romans 3:25-26)
God forgives our sins for His own sake. (Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 25:11)
Jesus receives us into His fellowship for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son of God. (John 16:14)
God instructs us to do everything for His glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Jesus’ aim for us is that we see and enjoy His glory. (John 17:24)
Everything that happens will result in God’s glory. (Romans 11:36)
Even God’s wrath serves to make known His glory. (Romans 9:22-23)
God’s plan is to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory. (Habakkuk 2:14)

This is what excites me. God has ordained all that was, is and is to come for the purpose of His glory.

Our chosen vocation as missionaries is to tell of the glory of God to all the earth, and God’s intent is to fill all the earth with His glory. And once again, He says, “I will accomplish all my purpose.”

This is job security at its very best. When your goal is God’s goal, you can’t miss it.

This edited post first appeared on the Langley’s ministry blog, A Fire in Our Bones, and can be read here. Since publication, Stephen and his wife Jessica have been serving faithfully with TEAM in southern Africa.

Are you ready to discover if a career in missions is for you? Check out missions opportunities with TEAM today!

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Hospitality, Help, and the Hope of the Gospel

By Suzanne Pearson • 16 Apr, 2024

TEAM Canada provides warm welcome and trusted friendships for diaspora populations living far from their native countries. As TEAM Canada workers Peter and Ruth (names changed) drive from their home to a nearby community center, they pass numerous apartment buildings and townhouses. Most of the families who live there are immigrants. They’ve left their countries of origin due to political unrest, trauma, and other difficulties. They’ve left family, friends, homes, jobs, and personal wealth behind. They search for peace, justice for the oppressed, and rest from fear and weariness. And as they adjust to a new country and a new language, they are often very isolated from others around them. “The sad reality is most immigrants are never even invited inside a Canadian home,” says Ruth. Peter and Ruth and their team try to change that reality. For the last nine years, the team, which includes workers from partner organizations as well as volunteers, has held English classes at the community center. Three days a week, over 60 students from more than 20 countries come together to learn English as well as to fellowship together and receive practical help in assimilating to a new normal. Meeting Needs and Building Trust That practical help may come in the form of procuring furniture, clothes, or dishes for newcomers, assistance with creating a resume and finding a job, or teaching people how to navigate Canadian laws and the medical system. As these tangible needs are met, relationships are built. “We invite them into our homes for meals and games,” Ruth shares. “We take them on hiking trips, picnics, outings, and out for coffee.” This is particularly important in this type of ministry because most immigrants come to Canada from cultures that value hospitality. Conversely, Canadians do not typically prioritize hospitality and consequently many newcomers feel lonely and isolated. Inviting folks to various gatherings and outings allows the team to spend extended time hearing people’s stories, struggles, hopes, and dreams. When she speaks about building friendships, Ruth’s heart for the people she serves is evident. “Hearing their stories, it’s easy to love them, and many have become close friends,” Ruth says. “We recognize the value of steady one-on-one relationships.”

Meet TEAM’s Next International Director – Part 2: A Vision for the Future

By Suzanne Pearson • 19 Mar, 2024

Previously on the TEAM blog, we sat down with Justin Burkholder (pictured above at left, with TEAM's Executive Director of Communications, Aaron Catlin). Justin will become TEAM’s next International Director on July 1, 2024. Justin shared about his background, family, and the journey that led him to TEAM. Check out that interview here . Today, we pick up the conversation as Justin shares how God called him to the role of International Director, and what he sees for the next chapter in TEAM’s work in the global Church. Q: How and when did you first consider applying for the position of International Director? How did the Lord reveal Himself to you as this opportunity presented itself? A: For some time, I have been evaluating how God wants me to use the gifts He has given me. Jenny and I have had a fruitful ministry in church planting in Guatemala and would happily continue doing so as God leads. However, as God blessed my efforts in TEAM leadership, there were friends and family who expressed that I should consider using my gifts in the International Director role. I don’t believe that everything necessarily rises and falls on leadership, but I do believe that it is a core component in the body of Christ. Using the gifts God has given me is a way that I want to bless the body of Christ in TEAM, making my contribution to the global purposes of God’s mission. Jenny and I spent a lot of time praying about this and decided that I should put my name in for consideration, trusting God’s guidance. We had a tremendous amount of peace throughout the entire process and were blessed by the prayer-filled process that the board undertook. Q: This is a key role in a large and complex organization, and I’m sure this was a big decision for you and your family. What were your fears or concerns? Why did you ultimately decide to accept the position? A: You say “were” like the fears have passed! I still am quite aware of my youth and inexperience - of the responsibility and weight of this role. Mostly, I’m afraid of leading an organization like TEAM in the flesh. Many of the fears that I have faced have been fears rooted in fleshly desires and concerns. I have no desire to succeed in the world’s eyes and fail in the Kingdom of Jesus. Why did I ultimately decide to accept the position? I’m convinced that the Good News about Jesus is true. The tomb is empty, Jesus is King, and the world needs to know, because Jesus is coming back. He will put things in order. He will establish righteousness, peace, and justice for all mankind, and He has commissioned His Church to proclaim and demonstrate His rule and reign. I want to use my gifts to do whatever I can to amplify the proclamation of this message and the multiplication of His Church around the world. Q: What are your goals and vision for the future of TEAM? A: This is something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. I’m certainly not ready to present a fully-shaped vision and goals for TEAM’s future without the input of other people in different contexts in TEAM. But, I will share a few things that I think are important: First, we need to model God-Dependence . I am hopeful that as leaders in TEAM, we can continue to model God-Dependence. As Hudson Taylor said years ago “…God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” I am hopeful that we can increase our sense of faith in God, prayer, and seeking direction from the Spirit. Secondly, we must strengthen our relational fabric . Due to the changes that we have experienced by decentralizing our home office functions, and the challenges from the pandemic, we have experienced a loss of relationships. It is imperative that we intentionally prioritize the building of relationships with one another. I plan to visit our workers and staff, and I am expectant that other key leaders and staff will be doing the same. Third, we must pursue the greater presence of the global Church. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ doesn’t look like any single geopolitical, ethnic, or racial culture. If we want to truly see the Kingdom of Jesus come on earth as it is in heaven, then we as citizens of this Kingdom must learn from one another, submit to one another, and grow with one another. The missional potential of the global Church has been unleashed by God’s Spirit since Acts 1, and we have an opportunity to learn from many brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us to better model and proclaim the Kingdom of Jesus to those who have yet to believe. Lastly, we must increase our Gospel boldness . There are still many places of great spiritual blindness and spiritual brokenness around the world. The apostolic impulse of cross-cultural organizations should call us to the to the edges of where the Kingdom of Jesus is not penetrating. Whether spiritual blindness and brokenness exists because of lack of access, idolatry, injustice, or any other myriad of reasons, I prayerfully hope to see more and more TEAM workers continue to move into spaces of great Gospel need.