My pitch for Small Groups to Adopt a Missionary.

Today I had a chance to speak at the end of a luncheon to about 35 “Serving Coordinators” who are part of small groups. Missions Conference theme this year is “FINISHING THE TASK.” I was glad for a chance to have a part in the day.

I’d been texted the Local Outreach Director the day before, to see if she could use any last minute help. She wrote back with an invite to the lunchone, and then this spot opened up to share because another speaker had gotten sick. It was my birthday yesterday, so preparing for a little sharing was a gift. It was also a therapeudic gift to write out my thoughts, and then share them the next day. You’ll see when you read why…

She introduced me last, as a long time friend of the church.

This weekend you’ll see some of our missionaries at tables, representing their work around the world.

Not all of them call RHCC their home church. 

Some have good work we’re partnering with, 

Others are Nationals we support.

Their “home church” is somewhere else.

Some of these missionaries grew up here.

They call this church their “home church.”

They are our “sent ones.”

And your small group could have a great "outreach ministry" to them.

On the rare times they back in the USA.

They're feeling a little like foreigners.

It would be so encouraging

If you invited them to your familiar circle of fellowship.

Share a meal with them.

Or two.

Be new friends in their RHCC family.

Be some people who know who they are.

To let you know how important this small thing is,

I'm going to read you a story,

It’s a true story, from one of our "homegrown"

missionaries who left to serve overseas 21 years ago.

It’s story about what it’s like to come home:

Some things haven't changed over the years. 

There’s the friendly parking volunteers waving us in.

That tall bell tower.

The crossroads of people passing between Welcome Booth

donut holes,

and

the 290s.

And that funky kids' drinking fountain.

In the warm lobby, 
Ken Bouma, head usher, is still here shaking hands

and passing out worship folders.

We head through the double doors to the "Sanctuary,"

Into the slightly darkened worship center.

Finishing up a sound check. Must be that new worship leader.
(Probably not so new anymore, but new to me.)

Stage manager Mark Cramer readjusts something on the stage.

And stained-glass-Jesus 

still reaches out

with care.

In the 1980's and '90's we were much, much younger.

This campus had been our ministry training ground.

For 12 years.

A giant family for love, and life, and growing, and serving.

Pastoring.

Singing.

Serving on Commissions.

Planning this Missions Conference.

Christmas programs.

Baptisms.

Weddings 

And Funerals.

And then when kids finally came for us,

Our babies were dedicated right here in this worship center.

This is the community who took a vow to partner with us

in raising these boys “in the ways of the Lord.”

Soon after that dedication, 

We left this home, with those small boys 
(who are now grown men).

This church sent us out.

Financial support was raised in record time.
There were commissioning services.
Farewell parties.
And so much hope and expectation.

But here's the sad reality... 
Our “send off" that was hundreds in 1997,

Had no fanfare two years later in 1999.

The hosts and the one guest who came

Tried to be positive about the uneaten piles of food,

Lamely apologizing that "people are so busy."

We stayed in touch.

Twenty-one years is easily 200 monthly newsletters sent.

And soooo 

Many 

Thank you notes.

But never, never enough.

We came “home” every couple of years.

It helped the grandparents

Who missed us so.

It also helped to try to keep track of all the changes taking place

In the shifting social sands of American transient culture.

And the changes at church.
Just who is it who’s our rep now on the Global Outreach Commission?

But in 21 years how can one not become out of touch with "home"?

We had thrown that same enthusiastic heart for ministry

Into people and churches 

15 time zones away.

Adding to our formally stellar ministry resumes:

Loneliness

Isolation

& what felt like 
Failure.

Plus GRIT.

And deeper, much deeper, love for and dependence upon

Our Savior and provider.

The one who does the work. 
HE does it. 
And we are just his servants to use in finishing the task.

And no matter what has changed at home,

HE is the one who is still cheering us on.

Woah. I know. Kind of depressing. I’m sorry. But I’m glad I got this chance to read it to you….
And tell you...that missionary is me.

Not to make anyone feel guilty about what has been my story, but to tell you that your Small Group can do something to change that experience for our Sent Ones.

As you meet the missionaries here this weekend,

BE INTERESTED IN THEM.

Ask them,

“What has been highlight in recent months?”

Or what they've learned about faith 

By taking the road less traveled.

Try not to let your eyes glaze over

Fifteen seconds into their answer.

Don’t interrupt to tell them

About this one time you went on a mission trip.

Or how you know another missionary

“Who does all this really 

Meaningful 

Stuff.”

No, try to be interested. 

And pray about whether the Lord might be calling you, or your group, 
to adopt one of them into your circle of friends.

It would be AMAZING if as a group 

You all decided to 

subscribe to their updates.

And included praying for their needs 

During those times you pray

for one another.

Invite them in.

Invite them along.

Take a few minutes the week before they come,

to brief yourselves up on the 

nature of their ministry,

And look at a world map,

(Google's made it easy now,)

And do a search for

Mozambique

or Singapore

or Romania

or Turkey.

Find out where exactly it is.

Share some of your love on them

And send them back wherever they are serving

filled up and fueled 

knowing that their home church

Is still their home.