"Called to a mission"

On Sunday, June 25, 1865, J Hudson Taylor wrote: “I was unable to bear the sight of a thousand Christian people rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing.” That was when Mr. Taylor said yes to the Lord concerning going to China & Mongolia to lead missionaries. For 51 years he served in the interior of China, all the while raising millions of dollars, seeing 30 thousand people converted to Christ and bringing over 900 missionaries to the field. He was a man who had a great mission.

I believe everyone who claims to be a child of God has been called with some type of a mission. Everyone may not be called to a foreign land such as J. Hudson Taylor was, yet I believe all have a mission to fulfill.

I know that I was called by God at an early age to spread the "good news" in song, as well as in word. I said yes to the Lord and dedicated my life for the sake of his call. I have never been on foreign soil yet have carried out my mission to many various areas of our wonderful country. I have ministered to thousands in auditoriums, been on national television and radio, yet I have also ministered to churches with only 5 or 10 in attendance.

I remember one church in Kentucky specifically. The lighting consisted of 1 light bulb hanging in the center of the church. Yet it didn't seem to matter to God if there were 5 or 10 or 500 to 1000 people, because He was and is always faithful to come to where we are.

Many have been called as I am, to Pastor or travel as an Evangelist in this great country of the United States of America, but countless thousands have carried the call to minister to those who have never heard the gospel messages. I believe there will be a great reward for those missionaries who have served God, giving their lives to those who without them would have never heard of Jesus.

There are many great churches & denominations who for many years have given much to get this wonderful gospel message out to the entire world.

The Assemblies of God is an organization that was birthed with a great missionary call; the Assemblies of God were organized just before World War I.

They had a great desire to spread this gospel to the ends of the earth; and to do it quickly because they believed that Christ’s return was very soon. Mark 16:15-18 was one of the scriptures that compelled many to accept the missionary call.

J. Roswell Flower was the first missionary secretary/treasurer. In 1919, he had the responsibility of Coordinating over 200 missionaries and had many other challenges facing him during his time in office. By 1925, there were 250 missionaries to the mission field's to find those who have never heard the GOOD NEWS about Jesus.

It is hard for us to believe that there are still those who have never heard about Jesus but you don't have to go overseas to find them. There are many here in America who have never heard the real story about our Savior. Therefore, I believe where ever we are is our mission field, be it foreign soil or the Wal-Mart parking lot.

A few years ago our air conditioner needed some repair. As the A/C repair men were working on the unit I began to tell them about Christ. One of the two men had recently received Christ as his Savior, but the other one was not born again. I shared the wonderful message of Jesus and asked him “would you like to know Christ?” As we stood there over a broken down A/C unit I had the privilege of leading him in the sinner’s prayer. It's funny how a broken down A/C became a mission field.

God will often bring opportunities to share the Good News to those who need to hear. However, we don't recognize it because we are looking for the sensational, the pulpit, TV broadcast, radio show or the foreign soil; but God has given us all a mission. Sometimes it is in our own back yard, our living room, or even a grocery store.

Anywhere there are people who are lost or hurting, that can become our mission field. Acts 1:8 says, "but ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses." You may say “I'm too bashful to witness” or “I don't know what to say.” The Holy Ghost is what the church needs to be a successful witness. He will help you fulfill your mission as a God called child of the King. Don't ever overlook the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, for He is the power source we need to finish our mission. With his help we can go to the utter most parts of the Earth.

God Bless, Pastor Michael Senn