The 9 CRUCIAL FACTORS that made the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years one of the greatest of all times.
Dr. Andrew Jackson
www.DrAndrewJackson.com
1 – THE ISAIAH FACTOR: Pioneer (Trailblazers) Missionaries
(Isaiah 6:8) I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me!
Throughout the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians (men and women) were called by God to become PIONEER (Trailblazers) MISSIONARIES and lead new advances in world missions. What we witness is that God used ordinary and flawed Christians to do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. These pioneer missionaries demonstrated supernatural obedience to fulfill the Great Commission. What we learn is that a few dedicated Christians, who are led by God, can make a big difference in the world.
2 – THE PASSION FACTOR
(John 2:17) Zeal for your house will consume me.
(Romans 12:11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Throughout the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain
Christians were deeply compelled by a contagious BURNING PASSION of the Holy Spirit in their hearts to reach all peoples with the Gospel. Dictionary definition: passion (zeal) is an intense, driving conviction that compels a person to act. There is a big difference between having a general INTEREST in something, and having a specific passion for it.
3 – THE OVERCOMING FACTOR
(2 Timothy 2:3) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(Revelation 2:7) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Throughout the modern Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians, filled with passionate conviction, endured great sacrifices, and overcame numerous obstacles. The fact is, nothing can really be accomplished in world missions without overcoming hardships and obstacles.
- loneliness
- disease
- long, hard travel
- lack of finances
- death of family members
4 – THE ISSACHAR FACTOR
(Proverbs 19:2) It is not good to have zeal without knowledge.
(1 Chronicles 12:32) men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do
Throughout the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians, although lacking formal education, were ferocious learners, and they engaged in serious and comprehensive research for world missions (now called Missiology).
Missiology is the “science” of mission. It employs theology, linguistics, social sciences, and other academic disciplines important to the training of missionaries and the effective formulation and implementation of mission strategy.
5 – THE VISION FACTOR
(Romans 15:20-21) It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
Throughout the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians discovered a fresh way of seeing the unfinished task of world missions during times of historical change, which led to significant mission advances. They discovered new ways of seeing the world, through God’s eyes.
6 – THE PRAYER FACTOR
(James 5:16) The prayers of righteous men and women are powerful and effective.
Throughout the modern Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians united in fervent and informed prayer for church renewal and world evangelization.
7 – THE MEANS FACTOR
(1 Corinthians 9:19, 23) Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
Throughout the modern Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians intentionally formed organizations/agencies (sodalities) for the purpose of advancing the gospel throughout the world.
8 – THE STRATEGY FACTOR
Throughout the Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, certain Christians thought of, and developed, new ways on how to best complete the unfinished task of world evangelization based on the new historical challenges. New and fresh movements of God contain new flexible and varied strategies of accomplishing the task. It is the practical element. The strategy factor is the how factor. How can we practically work out the will of God?
9 – THE RENEWAL FACTOR
(Matthew 9:17) Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.
Throughout the modern Protestant mission movement of the last 200 years, God has birthed several contextual mission movements to extend the Kingdom of God. However, it is very important that we do not idealize them. They all contain mistakes and shortcomings. It is always vital that we remain postured for vision renewal, when we leave the old behind for something new that God might want us to do. We must always ask ourselves, “What is God doing today?”
The first mission era went to the coastlands, but eventually a new vision for the inland territories was needed. The second mission era went to the inland territories, but eventually a new vision for the distinct unreached peoples of the world was needed.