You Are a Missionary

If you were a missionary—which you are—to the town you live in South Jersey, whether that’s Gloucester County, Camden County, or wherever you are, summer is a big time for you.

In summer, as a missionary, you’d be preparing for a major emphasis on meeting people, making connections, building relationships, and getting involved in other people’s lives.

Which only makes sense.

In a growing, family-friendly place like Gloucester County, for example, this time of year is the time when people get outside, play together, get engaged, and generally enjoy this beautiful part of the world we live in.

Since I’m a pastor, I’m called to “equip the saints for the work of missions” (a paraphrase of Ephesians 4).

Equipping means, among other things, giving you ideas on how you can build up the body of Christ by making new disciples.

In that light, here are some ideas for different “places” in our area. Think about these as you prepare your summer missions endeavors:

1. Your neighborhood.  Warm weather brings people outdoors.  Pick a time of day to spend outside being available.  Maybe sit in a chair by the sidewalk or choose a consistent time for a leisurely stroll.  Last week, my kids and I played a pick-up game of wiffle ball on our street, and some other kids joined us. You could try that. The point is that you do something that will give you an opportunity to meet people. This is one way God wants you to “love your neighborhood.”
2. Your community.  Attend community events. I read the paper every day looking for community events that I can attend: opening nights for art galleries, community days, club meetings I’m interested in, etc. Which brings up a question: do you subscribe to the paper? Why not buy a subscription to the Gloucester County times, the Courier Post, or the Philadelphia Inquirer. Christians see these as “records” of what God is doing in our world, in our community.
3. Local Establishments. I love the Barnsboro Inn, which is around the corner of my house. I know the servers there. I like them, and they like me. Do you have a place where you’re known? That’s a good habit for a missionary. As you frequent the same businesses and restaurants, learn the names of the people that work there. Let them know that you're glad that their business is in this town and that you want to support it. Polly and I went on a date last night to Carolina Blue. I made a point to introduce myself to the owner and thank him for creating an excellent atmosphere. I gave him a card and invited him to church. That’s something that anyone can do—and that a missionary (which you are, remember!) should do.

Whatever your approach, be curious. Be creative. Look for God’s leading. And as you do, show Jesus to the people you meet, and He will be honored.

(Thanks to Joe Holland, church planter in Virginia, for the idea for this essay.)