DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Our church's new budget includes a fairly large amount of money for our missionaries. But are missionaries even needed? It seems to me that we can reach the world much more cheaply and efficiently through the Internet. Why isn't anyone doing this?
-- R.R.
DEAR R.R.: Many organizations and ministries are delivering the message of Christ's love and hope through the Internet, often reaching people in parts of the world that have no other access to the Gospel.
However, missionaries are still needed. For example, some countries are now open to the Gospel that were closed only 15 or 20 years ago, and opportunities for evangelism and service in those nations have exploded. In addition, churches in those countries often need training and other skills that only missionaries can supply.
Also, many countries still have enormous medical, educational and social needs, and the opportunities for Christian doctors, nurses, teachers, agriculturalists and other skilled professionals have never been greater. Needless to say, such work cannot be done through the Internet. The Bible says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
Be grateful for the missionaries your church supports. Pray for them, support them financially and encourage them through letters and email. They often work in difficult and lonely places, and they need to know others care. Also, urge the young people in your church to seek God's will for their lives, including exploring the possibility of some type of mission service. Jesus' command has never been withdrawn: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15).
Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at
billygraham.org
HomeStyle on 06/28/2014