Define MISSIONS please!!! I said to a dear friend after hearing a wrong definition. For some time now we have gotten our definition of missions, mission, and missionary wrong, to the point that when we speak about them, it becomes a lion…
Inemeno Udobang
24 July 2025 · 20 min read
Define MISSIONS please!!! I said to a dear friend after hearing a wrong definition. For some time now we have gotten our definition of missions, mission, and missionary wrong, to the point that when we speak about them, it becomes a lion trap for some, sounds like hell to others and a bitter pile to some. Only to be tossed to a minute few who are presumably specially called to be shipwrecked : missionaries. I have been thinking about a proper definition.
The response people will have towards a concept will depend on their definition of the concept. “If we can define many a what we can explain many a why”, said the postmodern mind. Why do most people respond negatively to missions? Is it because we have not been taught, or we have been taught wrong? What we may have been taught in different circles, may neither be correct nor wrong. It is not totally correct, but it is not also totally wrong. It may also be that what may have been taught may have been correct but not current. It may have been correct in previous generational context but not applicable to our present generation’s reality. The wrong flys on eagles wings while the bad creeps. “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually, they will believe it”, Hitler once commented.
There is no wrong definition depending on the context and perspective of the speaker. We will try to do justice to all those varieties. Hope and trust God, this one will be very simple and down to earth.
Some persons have defined missions as a cross-cultural evangelization, the Assignment. It is a typical vision that must be fulfilled, given to a person or group of people. Mission as an assignment can mean different things to different people. First it could mean, establishing the King’s kingdom on earth, taking territories at the King’s comman, movement until the nation’s declare He reigns, a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work a set of tasks that fulfills a purpose or duty, And an assignment set by an employer. These are all wonderful definitions, but the truth most be told. If we stop at any of them, we will be neither wrong nor right, incomplete truth, partial truth, which will be found wanting.
Missiologically, there is a world of difference between mission and missions. The mission without the “S” and the missions with the “S”. The dictionaries do not give these distinctions but they do exist. Having a clear understanding of these distinctions, gives us a clearer vision and purpose for living.
Mission is Gods own personal desire to recognized, known, accepted and worshipped by all the peoples, tribes, nations, ethnic groups, languages and tongues of the earth. This may sound strange to some ears but this is Gods eternal purpose. The first purpose which is His waking thought even for creation. The creatures were not created for the sake of creation but for the purpose of God himself. Saint Augustine said we will find no rest in ourselves until we find our rest in you. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:7
Archbishop William Temples gives us a definition of worship which I think is most appropriate. He defined worship thus: Worship is the submission of all our nature to God, the quickening of our consciences by his holiness, the nourishing of our mind by his truth, the purifying of our imagination by his beauty, the opening of the heart to his purpose. All these gathered up in adoration is the greatest expression of which mortal mind is capable of.
Creation came because of Gods need for a community of worshipers, and that has been typified in Rev 4:10- 11. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”.
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands… Saying, Amen! (So be it!) they cried. Blessing and glory and majesty and splendor and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might [be ascribed] to our God to the ages and ages (forever and ever, throughout the eternities of the eternities)! Amen! (So be it!)” Rev. 7:10, 12
Worship is Gods utmost desire, and it will be fulfilled. Revelation 15:4 “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest”. Throughout the Scripture, we find this singular thread, connecting the various divergent strands. Whether in the historical, poetical, deutronomical or doctrinal aspects of Scripture, we carefully find Gods overriding purpose fused into them.
Every sacrifice made, every law given, every prayer prayed in history, every war fought, every temple built, even every temple demolished, every people scattered, kings ascension and descension. All will show the purpose of God – God on a mission, Gods desire to be personally recognized, known, accepted and worshipped by all the peoples, tribes, nations, ethnic groups, languages and tongues of the earth. “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. But he never left himself without a witness; there were always his reminders—the kind things he did such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and gladness”. Acts 14:17
Our ignorance of this singular fact will land us in a headlong collision against our maker. A historian had rightly said that history is the attempt of men, nations and people to rule the world of God without power and word of God. Biblical history he said is the attempt of men to thwart the purpose of God.
As a final note, mission is Gods part of the game. The sovereign will, the divine purpose, eternal plan, the perfect will of God, and He has all within his resources to make that a reality. His trinity of trinities – omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. God is purposeful with his words, it will not fail, it will not change. Not a jot or tittle shall fail… Scriptures cannot be broken. Its only a privilege for man to join him in fulfilling that purpose and that is what is called MISSIONS.
Missions is therefore mans privileged participation, partnership, pragmatic and strategic purposeful engagement in fulfilling the mission of God. Which is Gods desire to be personally recognized, known, accepted and worshipped by all the peoples, tribes, nations, ethnic groups, languages and tongues of the earth. So missions is not a man centric effort or reality but a theocentric reality.
Missions is a privilege to man, its not a right. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble…” Isaiah 57:15. Can we imagine such a privilege, that even the psalmist questioned in Psalms 8:4 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
Its our voluntary participation and partnership in the actualization of the purpose of God, when we come into partnership, we begin a pragmatic and strategic engagement. Basic questions beg to be answered. Is my life supposed to be a part of something bigger than my lifetime? Am I supposed to be a part of this? Can’t I play a significant role in this partnership? Can my life not contribute to the over all actualization of the eternal purpose of God? What can I do to see this fulfilled? What part was I selected to play in this large mapped out puzzle? What resources do I have intrinsically and extrinsically to play this rule? Which part of the earth will I effectively fulfill heavens demand for my life? We were not all designed to work in one part of the globe for strategic placements have been made. Where am I to stand?
With the above definition, every Christian is supposed to be involved in missions. We preach, pray and do all sort of things because all the sons of men are not worshipers of the true God. If they were, there would be no need for preaching, no need for evangelism. The only need will be worship and fellowship as it was in the pre-sin era “the time before the fall In the garden”.
For God’s purpose to be reached, missions comes in to play. We reach forth to play our part in that over riding goal. Every one believer has a distinctively specific tasks that is supposed to culminate in the fulfillment of the purpose of God. The scripture says “…and He gave some…” Not everyone doing the same thing but different people doing different things for the actualization of the same goal.
How do I work towards the goal I don’t know about, even when I know the goal? What then is my part, what is my work? The knowledge of the goal is great, but what am I to do? The question, what am to do, is the purpose for our existence. It is the Me discovering ME in Gods plan.
What was written concerning me? Jesus opened the books to see what was written concerning Him, not what the crowd wanted, or what the religious leaders wanted of him, not even what his family members wanted but what God the Father wanted, and had written that concerning him before his bodily incarnation. Most times we tend to become what people think we should be, not actually what God has desired us to be. I will purse to share a story I heard from a missionary to Burundi.
He was a successful businessman as a typical eastern Nigerian man is inclined. After his conversion, God told him to stop his business, and come over to serve him. This he did promptly but not without criticism from parents, church leaders and family. He joined himself to a nondenominational religious body, and he was doing well. At a point in his journey. The leader called him aside, and told him go and ask God what he will want you to do for him. This did not make sense at all. After leaving his successful business, lost all and he was working with this agency, he was still asked to go ask God.
As he did, God spoke to him about missions, an opening was made, he serves in Burundi, touching even the political power of that nation. What if he didn’t know his part in Gods missions? What if the leader had made him to remain within that circle? He would have been working in another mans vineyard, his own vineyard would have been left unkempt. “Don’t stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard”. Song of Songs 1: 6 NLT. I pray for leaders such as this , who will realize that every believer has a specific task within the body of Christ, that every body is not supposed to do everything in the body just because they are members of the body. Leaders who will also be ready to release those who have discovered their lot in Christ body. Please am not speaking of ignorant enthusiasts, no, but those whom God has so-called, the as many as the Lord our God has called.
Partaking or being a part in Gods missions does not mean, 24/7 preaching or praying. Its that strategic activity that God has called different individuals into, in which he will be revealed and then glorified by people within his sphere of influence. Revealed through his representatives and then glorified by the onlookers. If I will be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself. This is missions.
Specific persons have been given specific graces, which we have to discover it and work with it. Some have areas of missions activities are:
Techno-evangelism: the social media have made itself a hub, one of the most important place in this information age. God needs special software designers, programmers, computer specialist, ICT specialist, designers, technologist and technocrats who will step into those spheres and become lights just by their presence.
Academic evangelism: the schools, the literate community. There is an increasing and a growing demand for educators in different fields of study for different ethnic groups. Teachers are needed at different levels, some as language teachers, counsellors, subject teachers, in places where the gospel have not penetrated. Education has always been a bridge in which the power of transformation had come to many communities. When education reforms the mind, the power of the gospel transforms the mind.
Medical evangelism: this mostly seen during free medical treatment. I have observed personally as I have also been privileged to serve with some medical teams, that people who will naturally will not listen to a preacher who has a bible in hand will listen to the gospel from a medical practitioner. Why? He is not just speaking to the soul but will also have an answer to the pains of his body. The gospel found flying on the Wong’s of proclamation and the the wing of demonstration, in the mouth of a medical practitioner. As ailments increase and doors to traditional missionary works closes, those same doors are opening to medical practitioners with the bible in their heart and drugs in his hand.
Agricultural evangelization: food is essential for human survival, its the basic need of man. The man who holds your food will determine your next line of action. Christians who are well trained either formal or informal farming system, will step into agrarian communities, with the bible in heart, but with his farming skills and tools. While the people will come to learn from him as their Extension Office, he will lead them in prayers and bible is taught. Yes the farming goes on but yet discipleship is also going alongside.
Fashion, Entertainment and Media Evangelism: these three I will call the FEM EVANGELISM. The fashion world is changing drastically to the detriment of the end users. The saleable ideas and styles are against the Christian worldview. The entertainment industry which encapsulates movies and films are increasingly in high demand, hence their growth. Most of what is poured out of totally sensual. Can we have Christians who will step in the fashion industry only to produce clothes that will appeal to the glory of God. Actors and actresses who will write scripts that will lift up Christ, save souls and bring glory to the Lord. The media is also calling for our journalist, mass communicators, trained personnel media consultation, that will with their professionalism will use it to propagate the gospel instead of spreading propaganda.
Certification for Glorification: the academic or formal certification that you carry is a tool for which Christ can be glorified through you. He has given you that certification for his glorification. He has given you the opportunity to be certified so that he through you will be glorified. What ever your qualification, am speaking specifically to the literate community. Whatever your qualification, he has a plan to be glorified through it. There is a place for you in his missions. God does not waste investments, he is specific and directional in his investment on every single human being. A young man who was studying for a double doctorate, was asked what he wanted to do with his life. Without a blink of the eyelid, his response was, “I am studying for the double doctorate, so I can use the certificate to work and earn some money, which will be used to preach to others and get them to heaven.” Double doctorate on earth but heaven was his gaze, a place worthy of his investment. I am academically certified so he can be eternally glorified.
Skilled to Showforth: whatever skills we posses are to be a means to an end. Our skills were specially acquired so as put forth the glory of God. Talents, skills, gifts are Gods means to His ends in man. What grace and gift do I carry that will he harnessed for the glory of God? If I don’t do that u will be chasing shadows, working in another mans vineyard. So this work is to wake up the believers, get each and everyone of us to see what God had already put in the inside of us that we are not seeing.
Every one was not called to be a church man, pastor or in church or even an outdoor preacher. We all were specifically called to specific task within God’s kingdom project. God will give us light Knowledge is progressive.
How can we strategically be a part of Gods missions where ever we are? This question is answered in six ways. I will be brief with the details.
Learn: reading this material shows you already a learner. I trust God he AHS given you light in areas you not have understood before now. Learning can take place anywhere and at anytime. We are expected to be students. Paul’s admonition to his disciple was to study. There are several materials on missions which can be gotten from missions journals, sites, conferences, trainings etc. Learning gives us knowledge, and knowledge brings us to wisdom, while wisdom guides our action.
Go: this is the category of people whom God have earmarked them to be field workers. They are the front liners. They represent God on foreign field. We also call them the field evangelist. While some will go for a protracted period of time, others may go for a short period. This we call the short-term missions and the long-term missions.
Send: there are those who are specifically called to be senders. Senders are those who help others to get to the field. They prepare the goers for the field. The financial, psychological and preparatory supports come from the senders.
Pray: this is the mightiest weapon in missions arsenal. The deadliest of all to the host of darkness. It has the capacity to demolish ancient altars and let lawful captives go. Prayer is too great a tool to be neglected by any missions endeavour. The kneeling posture in an enclosed room can do much change situations in near or distant lands.
Mobilize: these are the prophets of the end time, that call the church to its responsibility of touching the world, shining as light, salting the earth. They awaken the sleeping church, fire up the lukewarm church and herald the triumphant church to its victory. Mobilizers tell people, enlist, equip, empower, and expose believers to field.
Welcome: these are people who stay back at home basically for two reasons. They welcome foreigners who arrive their country. As foreigners arrive, they are available to take them in, show some level of hospitality and care, with the intent of sharing the gospel with them. Secondly, they welcome back missionaries who are returning from the field. They help them settle down and prepare for their reentry.
They are those who are supposed to go to distant lands. Others are to pray for those in foreign lands, still in their homeland. Others are to get into business, make money and send them to those in the field. Others are to talk others into going to the field. Give them necessary tools and equipment that will help them survive the hard days in the field. Even those that go to the fields, while others are sent to towns, some are sent to villages. So, that’s why we need every body, every one has a specific part to play in missions. Every one is to the missions mindset.
Who is a Missionary?
What’s the difference between the Evangelist and the missionary? A Missionary is an Evangelist, but an Evangelist may not necessarily be a Missionary. The Missionary evangelizes, the Evangelist does the same. The Evangelist labours within his church, environment of the same culture but the Missionary goes beyond that. He goes beyond his church, familiar culture, familiar environment to a strange culture, and environment. He has to labour to learn new cultures and lifestyles in new environments.
Worship is the very reason for creation and redemption. The absence of true worship is the reason for missions.
Bill McChesney, a missionary in the Congo, was martyred by the rebels in the Stanleyville area in 1964, when he was 28 years old. He had been beaten on a truck and his back was bleeding at the same time as suffering from malaria. Then he was beaten to death by an angry mob which was instigated by the revolutionary army.” Before he left to be a missionary he had written this poem entitled, MY CHOICE.
I want my breakfast served at “eight”, with ham and eggs upon the plate; A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at “one”; and dine again when day is done. I want an ultramodern home, and in each room a telephone; Soft carpets, too, upon the floors, and pretty drapes to grace the doors. A cosy place of lovely things, like easy chairs and innerspring, And then I’ll get a small TV – of course, “I’m careful what I see.” I want my wardrobe, too, to be of neatest, finest quality. With latest style of suit and vest, why shouldn’t Christians have the best? But then the Master I can hear, in no uncertain voice, so clear, “I bid you come and follow Me, the lonely Man of Galilee.” “Birds of the air have made their nest, and foxes in their holes find rest; But I can offer you no bed; no place have I to lay My head.” In shame I hung my head and cried. How could I spurn the Crucified? Could I forget the way He went, the sleepless nights in prayer He spent? For forty days without a bit, alone He fasted day and night; Despised, rejected – on he went, and did not stop till veil He rent. A man of sorrows and of grief, no earthly friend to bring relief – “Smitten of God,” the prophet said – Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red. If He be God and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be For me, a mortal man, to make; I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake. Yes, I will tread the path He trod. No other way will please my God; So, henceforth, this my choice shall be, my choice for all eternity.
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