The Church’s Witness and Worth

Alex Leononich, the director of SMS from 1958 to 2013, wrote in his biography the following words concerning the need for continued prayer for Christians in the Slavic countries. "Multitudes of Russian believers prayed fervently and kept the faith, even under great persecution. Their greatest desire was to remain faithful to God in the place where He had put them. The need to pray for Slavic Christians has not evaporated because communism no longer reigns. While grateful for their new freedoms, Russian believers also recognize the potential problems which accompany liberty and ask for prayer to remain faithful to God even while enjoying greater freedom."

God’s purpose in this day is to reach to the uttermost parts of the world those people who need to hear the Gospel so that they might be saved. More people can be reached with the Gospel now than any other time in history because of modern methods of technology.

Pray that God will give SMS workers readiness to witness about salvation, wisdom to answer any questions and skill in keeping the conversation centered on Christ who died for the sins of the world. Pray that God will speak through His Word to the listeners in order that the Holy Spirit may convict and convince them of their sin, and plant faith within their hearts in order that they might repent and believe the Gospel.

Unless the pastor of the church is burdened by the Spirit of God for missionaries and for lost souls around the world, then no missionary program of the church will ever prevail. But the responsibility for accomplishing God’s purpose goes far beyond the pulpit of the pastor. The Word of God is a personal letter to every Christian in the church. As a born-again and blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ, the Christian is a vital part of the program of God.

Why missions? Witnessing is a direct command of God. It is the believer’s responsibility. Why missions? The world is lost in sin. Men will be “cut off” from God forever, unless they turn to Him in repentance and believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior. Why missions? The love of God must be shown to all peoples at all times in all countries. “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). Why missions? The church of Christ must be complete before He returns again. Send a missionary wherever you cannot go. Be a missionary wherever you are!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Never wait for the lost soul to approach you and ask about the way to salvation. He or she seldom comes. The method of our Lord Jesus was to seek the lost. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). All around us are opportunities to witness about “new life” in Christ, if the believer will allow the Holy Spirit to assist him in sharing that marvelous message. People should be given a choice. Pray that all of the SMS missionaries will present the Gospel to anyone who is willing to listen to the “Good News.”