How to Get There—and Make a Lasting Difference

By Elliott D. Stephens, Global Facilitator of Field Equipping for Pioneers International

• Just last month, I met a worker buying a camel so he could ride with unreached nomads across the desert in North Africa.
• I recall my first trek into the mosquito-infested jungle of Papua New Guinea to see the gospel penetrate a dark tribe: sleepless nights, malaria, loneliness, tropical heat, accusations and threats.
• I think of our teams working in Muslim areas facing jihad riots, missionary kids being evacuated, spies planted to destroy the advance of the gospel, team members facing death, and the gnawing feeling of being watched… and wondering when they will be expelled.

What Does It Take?

What does it really take to go and stay in hard places? To never give up. To not quit. And most importantly, to leave behind an eternal change in dark places where everything within you must fight to make it through another day. How in the world can you stay long enough for the gospel to take root in the lives of those who have never heard the name of Jesus? To answer that question, we asked those serving in hard places. Why did they stay and what advice do they have for others coming behind them? We were surprised by their answers.

1. A Fierce Faith in God

Overwhelmingly, they spoke about clinging fiercely to God because of His pursuit of them. There was no man-centered grit, but a tenacity in faith that refused to leave the grasp of God. A grit fully founded on the character of God… even when nothing made sense and progress seemed minimal. A tenacious faith in God pushed them to take risks, speak with boldness and press through ‘impossible’ obstacles. Faith that can withstand hammering and testing and the toughest trials.

2. Deep, Lasting Humility

But what really got our attention is what came from our African brothers and sisters. They said they would send missionary candidates to live with their field leaders for four months. And during that time, they looked for one thing. That captured my attention! What thing were they looking for? For mavericks or great preachers or exceptional leaders? No… they were looking for humility and teachability. I was speechless. Our research across the world attests that broken people who understand the cross—and live out their faith as vulnerable people—make a difference. People who understand failure. Authentic humility.

3. Grace-Infused Endurance

There were many other factors that surfaced as we interviewed missionaries about what it takes to go, stay and make a lasting difference. I’ll close with one more: grace-infused endurance. A picture of resilience that rested on the grace of God alone. Paul encouraged young Timothy in his final words before his imminent death, to be “strengthened by grace…endure everything for the sake of those coming to faith” (2 Timothy 2).

This, too, marks our enduring missionaries. We can’t do it! The task is humanly impossible! Only God can accomplish the work we are called to do. Those who cast themselves upon God’s grace are the ones who make it. They don’t quit. Because they know it is all God. They know it is all because of the grace of God. They take no credit for what is accomplished, wanting only Jesus.

Tenacious faith clings fiercely to God because of His pursuit of us.

Deep, lasting humility.

Grace-infused endurance.

What does it take to go to the hardest places? A life that can say with the Apostle Paul, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

Is God leading you to the hardest places?

 

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Next Steps

• What makes a place one of the hardest? It may not be what you think. Watch the video Some Jungles Have Wifi.
• Read an interview with one of our candidate coaches, So You Think You Want to Be a Pioneer.
• Talk to your pastor, a leader or one of our mission mentors about what holds you back. Find someone to pray with you about ways you can grow. The worksheet Charting Your Course to the Nations may help.
• Read our article Trusting God in Times of Peril.

This article was first published by Pioneers Australia. Elliot Stephens has served with Pioneers for 40 years. He completed his Ph.D. work in the retention of overseas workers and has served in church planting, leadership development and training.