When Jesus walked this earth and saw the spiritual condition of the people, He was moved with compassion. He said the laborers to reach them were few. It’s the same today in our world. People are still searching for the truth and for peace with God without much hope. The world’s population grows by 1 million per week. The task of the Great Commission is not diminishing. We need more people to surrender to GO and share the Gospel truth. We need new missionaries to join our aging force – fill their shoes and go places where the Gospel has not been proclaimed. Yet, we see a decline in the interest of world missions at a time when the opportunities are unlimited. We know that God is still calling people to go. So, what will it take to see more answer His call?

There are five parts to the answer. Each one is a part of the whole if we are going to see new missionaries go.

1. Churches who promote missions.

This will require pastors who will lead their people to have a passion for the lost around the world. It means pastors leading their church leaders with the same vision. It means leading church members to pray for those going to the regions beyond and praying for more laborers. This includes teaching and encouraging all members to be involved in giving so that others can go. Then, people in our churches need to be challenged to go. This needs to happen with the children all the way up to the seniors in our churches.

2. Parents who pray and give their children to the Lord’s service.

I have found that many parents are afraid for their kids to go serve the Lord for various reasons. They see the chaotic world in which we live. They want their kids to live the American dream. They don’t want to be separated from their grandkids. According to Future of Missions, a study from Barna: “Only 35 percent of engaged Christian parents of young adults say they would definitely encourage their child to serve in missions, while 25 percent are not open to the idea at all.” They continue, “Career success and physical safety are the top concerns. Nearly half said, ‘I’d rather my child get a well-paying job than be a career missionary.’” 

3. Bible college/mission training.

Our Bible colleges and Christian schools need to encourage and challenge our young people to strongly consider full-time service in the ministry. I am not sure this is happening like it used to. Chapel services need to be inspirational and challenging which would in turn motivate more to pursue a career in missions. It was said to me while in college, “If God has not called you to serve in America, then you need to go serve somewhere else.” Many surrendered to go somewhere else.

4. Mission trips.

Organized and intentional mission trips can make a difference. If you make it a ministry mission trip with a missionary ready to put people to work, it can be successful. It is interesting that, over the past 10 years, we always hear a number of our new missionaries give testimony that it was on a mission trip that God spoke to them about being a missionary. If they do not end up on the mission field, they will be strong advocates for missions in the church.

5. Praying for more missionaries.

Jesus commanded us in Matthew 9:38 to pray for more to go. I believe one reason for the decline we are seeing these days is because fewer of God’s people are praying for more. The harvest is huge – over 8 billion people – and the laborers are few. It is reported that since the year 2000 over 40,000 missionaries have left the field – this includes all evangelical groups. We need more to replace them. How can we do it? We start by praying. The BBFI Mission Office has been leading the way with Project 938 trying to get individuals in our churches praying. Churches around the world are joining in this effort. For more information go to www.Project938.world.

The trend we see across America is a decline in young people and couples surrendering to serve as missionaries in foreign countries. These five areas must be focused on and promoted so that we see more in 2024.

The world is in spiritual darkness. We need more people shining the light of Jesus Christ. They are searching for answers to their problems, burdens, sins, future and so many uncertainties. We have the answer for them. It is Jesus Christ.

-Jon Konnerup, BBFI Mission Director