Answering God
Coming from an immigrant background, academic prestige and career success are high on the priority list. When I graduated from chemical engineering, it seemed everything was lined up for me to accomplish those ideals and achieve the Canadian Dream. Despite all this, I felt God leading me to more — to the call of the Great Commission.
God first planted the seed of a heart for missions when I was 18 years old. After 4 years of studying engineering and 1½ years of working in the oil and gas industry, some may think that I must have grown to dislike engineering, and thus made the decision to go into ministry and missions— but actually, that is not true at all.
I loved my work. But with a few blinks of an eye, somehow a year flew by, and I seemed to barely make a difference. It became increasingly clear that I needed to commit to global missions and bring the gospel to where there is currently none. I enrolled in Radius International, a 10-month training program for International Workers, and set my focus on heading to the field. Fast forward a couple of years, and I have now been accepted by a sending organization and am preparing to go overseas.
Almost 2000 years ago, our Lord and Savior Jesus gave the Great Commission:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
From Revelation 7, I also see a beautiful image of “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9 NIV) worshipping God.
As I reflect on the words of God, I feel a sense of responsibility for both myself and the global church. Looking back on church history, it is evident that God uses His people to push the gospel message forward. Even the gospel in the English world came to us with a price paid by many, such as the contribution of William Tyndale (executed at 42 years old) for the English translation of the Bible.
On the surface, it may seem that the more famous, well-known missionaries were the ones who made significant contributions to the spread of Christianity and the translations of the Bible across the world. However, in reality, behind each gospel worker is a body of brothers and sisters who are united with them in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6 NIV)
Behind every step of this journey, I have brothers, sisters, mentors, and leaders who encouraged me and help me discern. Though I desire to be on the frontlines, I am simply a small part of the body of Christ. The mission of God is not given to individuals on their own, but rather, it was given to the collective church. I live as an extension of the body. Even right now, preparation for International Work would not be possible without my home church and others who surround me with power and love.
As you, the reader, journey through life with Christ and with the church (the body and the bride of Christ), you have certain roles, responsibilities, gifts and talents that further the Great Commission as well. We were given the promise of power in Acts 1:8 NIV “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This promise was given to the whole body…and that includes you!
So… what is God asking you to do with His power as a part of the body? Is He calling you to more? How will you live out the Great Commission in power and unity with the church, in your own life?
Written by H.Y
International Worker preparing to go to S.E Asia
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