What are the most effective tools for Mission?
A pith helmet and a machete? The KJV and a bumper pack of tracts? Or a bread roll, and a bottle of water? It depends, of course, on where you are and who you’re trying to reach.
It’s easy to poke fun at the stereotypical image of a Western missionary, hacking his way through the jungle to bring God’s word to the “heathen.” But if you’re fighting your way through thick undergrowth, a decent head covering and a sharp blade might well come in handy. And if you’re having conversations with someone who is genuinely interested in learning more about God, then a Bible and some learning resources might be exactly the kind of thing you need.
However, if you’re welcoming a boatful of migrants who have spent days drifting at sea, then a pith helmet won’t be much use. And as much as they might need to hear the Gospel message, a tract will do little to offset the effects of dehydration. In those circumstances, a little bread and water will speak more powerfully than even the very best of preachers.
In September, I visited Lampedusa with Tom Wilson (Lay Leader) and two of the Methodist Church in Ireland’s (MCI) Mission Partners; Barry Sloan and Fiona Kendall. We were there to visit a team from Mediterranean Hope, who work to welcome the thousands of migrants who arrive on the island each year. The trip was challenging for many reasons – you can read more about it in October’s Newsletter, or watch a short video on the World Mission Partnership (WMP) website. But in my role as WMP Co-ordinator, one of the biggest challenges was to my own concept of what Mission should look like in practice.
Read David Nesbitt’s article in full in our December edition….
