Willing to Invest

Our Moderator’s theme this year is, “To the ends of the earth… together.” To reach the ends of the earth together, the Lord needs a new generation of missionaries, not only sold out for Christ but also sold out for His Church. The Church is the vehicle that carries missions! Yet, many such believers are coming from a background of brokenness where an emphasis on church and grounding in faith are increasingly rare. During the time of the apostles, the Gospel spread most easily through families, but it also shattered families, often orphaning those Greeks and Jews who became Christ followers (Luke 14:26). The Church became family for young Christians, providing a place of belonging and mentorship, as each generation of new believers elevated the next into leadership. 

In raising a new generation of missionaries, church leadership should consider investing deeply in mentoring relationships, helping them become future ministry leaders. Consider, for example, how before David ascended to the throne, his dearest friend, Jonathan, covenanted with him and gave David his robe and armor (1 Samuel 18:3,4). Or how, before becoming the first of 12 disciples, Peter, the fisherman, was found by his brother Andrew, and brought to Christ. In Christian ministry, many want to be a David or a Peter, but we need more Jonathans and Andrews. 

It is hard to be an “Andrew.” Andrew gets 11 mentions in the Gospels. Over half of those refer to him as, “the brother of Simon Peter.” It seems like everywhere he went he would shake hands and say, “Shalom, I’m Andrew.” “Who?” they would respond. “You know, Peter’s brother.” “Oh right, Shalom, Peter’s brother! How’s Peter doing?” Living in the shadow of a sibling or parent is difficult – especially for those in ministry. 

Yet, with Andrew, the Gospel writers communicate that his greatest contribution was bringing Peter to Christ (John 1:40-42). In this singular act, not only did Andrew bring to Christ one of the greatest disciples of all time but also, one of the greatest apostles of all time. You do not sense any jealousy on Andrew’s part, and the same is true of Jonathan. The common denominator between these men is deep, relational investment versus professional competition. In each case, the lesser-known person is content to elevate the one who would become the prominent leader. 

These examples reveal the humility of Christ, as seen in Philippians 2: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” In fact, Paul remarks one of Timothy’s greatest strengths is his genuine care for others, unlike wanting only to elevate themselves (Phil 2:20-21). 

During my college years, the pastor of a large church was discipling me and three other young men, twice a month, over two years. The pastor, “Buster” Brown, an extraordinary communicator and brilliant Bible scholar, introduced me to Reformed theology. What was most impressive about this incredibly busy man were the hours he took out of his schedule to patiently answer questions, gently speak into our personal lives, and pray for us as brothers in Christ. 

Toward the end of my college years, I was uncertain about what to do and determined, half-heartedly, to enter the military. I shared this with my pastor. His quiet, gentle response was, “You might be good at that, but have you considered foreign missions?” That was all he needed to say – just five simple words. I took this, not only as advice from a man I respected, but as the calling of God, from a man who had taken years to love, guide, and build me up. Pastor Buster’s investment gained him the right to discern God’s calling in my life. 

Buster was an “Andrew,” deeply desiring to elevate God’s people into ministry through patient, relational investment. Truthfully, I never became a “Peter,” but I have hoped to be an Andrew, investing in others to bring them to Christ and new ministry. It is the responsibility of every church to have a cadre of Andrews, whether they be Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, elders, deacons or pastors, who identify young people with whom they have one-on-one time, genuinely investing in their lives and helping them seek their calling. 

Whereas every church’s search for new pastors and missionaries begins with prayer, it is often the weekly or monthly investment in the lives of young people that God effectively uses to call people into ministry. As we look to raise this next generation of missionaries, consider encouraging your pastor, or yourself, in identifying a young man or woman in whom to invest. Become an “Andrew” to help find the next “Peter.”