The Kind of Missionaries We Want Dr. A. B. Simpson

Words that apply here and abroad What kinds of international workers are we looking for to establish prevailing churches (or holistic, Christ-centered communities of faith) among the least reached where all the odds are stacked against us? (Bob Fetherlin)‏

We want men and women who are thoroughly converted and know it. Is it possible to be sure you’re going to heaven (1 John 5:11-13)? Why would Simpson phrase this like this? What are some marks of a thoroughly converted person?

We want men and women who are fully consecrated to God, sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit—so saved from themselves that they are at leisure to work for others. What does Simpson mean by the phrase “saved from themselves”? How does Romans 6:11 apply here?

We want men and women who are burning with a love for lost people and are longing to lead men and women to Christ. Are all Christians burning with a love for lost people? Where does that love come from? (Mark 10:21)‏

We want men and women who have already begun to work for Christ and have led many to the Savior. One of the first questions asked a missionary candidate is, “How many have you led to Christ since you were saved?” The best place to begin foreign missionary work is at home. If you look at yourself and think, Ugh – I’ve not done this! what should you do?

We want men and women who can live simply, endure hardship, deny themselves, put up with every discomfort, who are not particular about their outfits, who do not want things “just so” for their wardrobes, who do not need two or three trunks and a great amount of baggage, who can travel with a knapsack like a soldier and sleep in their boots without grumbling about it, who have gotten over the romance and novelty of travel and are going to foreign countries for one thing only— to win people for Christ. Why would this perspective be important in missions work? (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)‏

We want men and women who are easy to get along with, who have died to self and self-will, who can keep sweet and can submit themselves to their senior missionaries until they have learned the language and become qualified to be leaders, who can keep rank as David’s soldiers did, who are adjustable, good-natured, ready to meet persecution and insult without getting angry, and who can live the gospel of Christ among the unbelievers even as the Master did. Why is it important that Christians who desire to proclaim Christ have these characteristics? (John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 2:12)‏

We want men and women who are strong, vigorous, rugged and healthy; or at least have such a hold of the Lord for their bodies that they are not afraid of climate, hard work, inclement weather and physical pressure; who now are having victories in their bodies and are able to stand strongly against exposure and hardship and do real work for God. Would this disqualify someone who had an illness from ministry overseas? (2 Corinthians 12:7)‏ Who might be disqualified? (Acts 15:36-39)

We want men and women who know the Lord so well they can have His joy under all circumstances; who will not be afraid of loneliness nor privation; who ask no greater recompense than the privilege of serving and pleasing Him; and who go out not wanting sympathy, but rejoicing in the name of missionary and the privilege of enduring suffering or shame for the name of Him who died for them. What first priority does Simpson want his workers to have? Does God require this of his disciples in general? (Matthew 6:33)‏

We want men and women who have such a distinct call to the mission field that they cannot stay back, and that even if we do not send them they will go somehow. Where does such tenacity come from? (Luke 9:51)‏

May the Lord send us a thousand such men and women. This is what Simpson hungered for in Let’s pray that we would see such ones. Let’s pray that we would be such ones.