Don't missionaries normally go to places like Africa, Asia and other developing nations? Surely you can't mean Australia of all places?
I think it's wonderful that we are led to travel overseas on mission trips to help the many nations that are in great and in many instances dire need. I know a number of people that have been and some who still are on mission trips around the world. It's great to hear how so many lives are being changed through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we have all been called to go and make disciples of all nations [Matthew 28 verse 19]. We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do [Ephesians 2 verse 10]. We are called to deeply love one another, offer hospitality and use the gifts given to us to serve others. If we serve, we should do so with the strength God provides so that in all things, God is glorified through Christ Jesus [1 Peter 4 verses 8-11].
Which ministry is of greater importance?
Sometimes people make it seem like overseas missions are more important than other local ministries. They make it appear like you have only truly been on a mission trip if you have done it in another ["less privileged"] country. Maybe it's because the trend is to go to countries that are impoverished (and of course, there is nothing wrong with this - we are indeed called to help the poor and those in need).
But are local missions of less importance than overseas missions?
It is a fact that some are called to serve overseas and others are called to serve in their local community. However, this doesn't mean that one ministry is more valuable than the other. Is it more important to be a paramedic than it is to be a school teacher? I don't believe so. They both serve their purpose in the community. We all have different gifts (e.g. teaching, healing, and helping others). We can't all be teachers and we can't all be pastors. We have differing gifts for a purpose and these gifts complement each other. So maybe the question is not which one is more important, but how are we using our gifts to serve God.
Consider this: - When was the last time you called a friend or relative just to check how they are doing? Have you made an effort to get to know your neighbour? Do you ever pray for those relatives that don't know Christ? Do you ever offer to help at your local church? Do you ever seek to help those in need in the community? Do you ever encourage and pray for your local Pastor? Are any of these things of lesser importance?
So where should I serve?
At this particular moment, I believe that God has placed me right here on the Gold Coast for a reason. Australia may not be in economic or political dire straits, but there are a lot of people in need. Stress, depression, ill health, unemployment and hunger, believe it or not, are things that also exist in my own backyard. It's not just physical, financial and psychological needs that people require, but there is most certainly a great spiritual need.
There are still a lot of people right here on the Gold Coast that need to hear the gospel and be shown God's love and compassion. Everyone needs forgiveness. I can also encourage my fellow Christian brothers and sisters in their walk, pray for them and be there to provide a helping hand when required just as the bible encourages us to do.
Furthermore, it's important I have the right motive when I exercise my gifts. I should be using these gifts [in love] to glorify God and not for self praise.
So really, it doesn't matter whether you are overseas, at work, at home or at your local surf club. I think the important thing we need to ask ourselves as Christians is - are we reflecting the light of Christ in our lives to glorify God? Do our lives testify what God has done through His son Jesus?
I am not undermining the work of the many missionaries around the world. It is indeed great that we have so many Christians that are willing to step out in faith and spread the good news of Jesus Christ in lands so far away from their home. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the American missionaries that came to minister to me while I was living in Zimbabwe.
But I think we still need to remember that there is a mission field just across the fence. So for now, my mission field is right in my backyard - Australia.
Kandima Awendila was born in Mozambique and lives and works as an IT Service Desk Engineer on the Gold Coast.
Kandi Awendila's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/kandima-awendila.html