Some people say that an individual calling to become a missionary is unnecessary. Because to them, "every Christian is a missionary."
I can't stand that phrase. Really, really, can't stand it.
Here's the thing: We're all called to spread the gospel. But are we all called to uproot our lives and move somewhere else to do it? Are we all called to a full-time ministry of sharing the gospel and making disciples? Because that's what a missionary is. That's what a missionary does. We have been sent out with a specific task to bring God's Word across world borders and across cultural boundaries. Not everyone is chosen by God to do that.
Think of it this way:
Everyone is called to share the gospel, but not everyone is called to be an Evangelist. That is, not everyone is equipped and gifted by God to do the full-time ministry of proclaiming the Good news.
And, everyone is called to care for and help build up their brothers and sisters in Christ, but not everyone is called to be a Pastor. That is, not everyone is equipped and gifted by God to do the full-time ministry of caring for and spiritually leading the church.
And yes, everyone is called to be involved in missions, but not everyone is called to be a Missionary. That is, not everyone is equipped and gifted by God to do the full-time ministry of bringing the gospel and making disciples in a different location.
I'll be honest, I'm very possessive of the word, because it's the only word to describe this very specific calling that God has given me and others. Claiming that every Christian is a missionary devalues something which God has chosen for certain people. And, let's get real here, it actually undermines what we do. If every Christian is a missionary, then where's the distinction in what we are doing verses what you are doing? If we leave home, family, friends, everything that we know and are comfortable with in order to cross world borders and cultural barriers for the sake of the gospel... then what are we? What word, if not "missionary", defines us and separates us from those who don't do those things?
God sets apart certain people for certain tasks. And it's not because we have something more to offer than our brother or sister in the next pew. It's simply because God chose us. In other words, He called us.
What keeps me here in Zambia? It's not my husband, not my own desire to help the vulnerable, not my love for the people here. It's my calling. My calling is the only constant, reliable thing I have to fall back on.
Otherwise, when we were chin-deep in culture shock, I would have called it quits.
Otherwise, when I was being driven by ambulance two hours away to check on my failing pregnancy (baby loss #6) on the same day that I learned my grandfather in the States had died, I would have high-tailed it back to the US to be with family.
Otherwise, when I saw everyone on social media living the easy life in America while I struggled through life in Africa, I would have given in to the jealousy and flown back to the life I once knew.
But instead, I look back and remember clearly the moment our church congregation sang the words,"for some have never heard the message of salvation from God's own Holy Word." I remember when God sat me down on my butt in the pew and the tears came pouring out as He told me, "That is why I'm sending you."
And I remember the little note that one of our church members gave to Nicholas (I still carry it in my Bible): "Time is short. You need to go. Trust God." And the words she said to him, "I think you and Alyssa are supposed to be missionaries."
I remember walking along the sidewalk with Nicholas at SWBTS in Fort Worth after spending time alone in prayer to discern what part of the world God wanted us to move to. Hubs had always been drawn to South America, but I knew God was pointing me to Africa. Go figure that He would change Nicholas's mind and heart and point him to the same place, right?
And I remember trying to pin-point exactly where in Africa we would go. There were so many positions in that binder that we flipped through. Nicholas had a method to narrowing it down through prayer and marking the ones that piqued his interest. But I kept going back to the same one and praying, "Anywhere but there, God." I knew. There were no marks in my binder. So when Nicholas finally said, "I think this is the place," I said, "Yeah, I know." And very shortly after that, our consultant with the Mission called us to say, "I think you two should pray about Zambia." Confirmation, once again.
So to say that a call from God is unnecessary because every Christian is a missionary? That just negates the actual calling that God has chosen particular people for. If every Christian is a missionary, then why did God bother to speak to me in church that day? Why did He bother telling a sister-in-Christ to give us that particular message? Why did He bother showing us exactly where we needed to go with added confirmation from a brother-in-Christ? If every Christian is a missionary, then all of those events in my life were pointless!
Look, mission work is non-negotiable. But, mission work does not make you a missionary. Unless you have been chosen and called by God for the distinct purpose of being sent out to cross borders and/or cultural boundaries for the sake of the gospel and all that entails... you are not a missionary. And that's ok.
Preach the gospel. Care for the vulnerable. Reach out to other cultures. But don't you dare move until God tells you to move. Don't you dare take on a role that isn't yours to take on. Because trying to do something in your own power? Trying to be something that God has not equipped you to be? It can only end in failure.
I am called. I am sent. I am a missionary. Are you?