Faith Comes through Hearing
The focus of home service for missionaries is to reconnect with family, thank and update our supporting congregations, and seek out new or additional support through congregations or individuals by visiting them! If you were not aware, all LCMS missionaries are responsible for raising 100% of the funds it takes to get us to the field and keep us there (read more here). God has granted faithful supporters over my five years of missionary service, and the opportunity to thank these churches and individuals is priceless. Each visit looks a bit different, but usually includes a presentation which ranges from five minutes to a full hour. My main presentation this year highlighted this text from Romans:
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,
‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,
‘Lord who has believed what he has heard from us?’
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:13-17)
photo: Elizabeth Elaine Design
For chapel or children’s presentations, I sometimes used the same text, or I shared with them my confirmation verse:
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16)
photo: Jamielynn Tinkey Flores
In both texts, the Gospel, the Word of God for His people, the story of hope, is pronounced, emphasized, and re-iterated as the means by which faith is given. Through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, we believe the Holy Spirit has the POWER to create FAITH in the hearts of those who HEAR it. THIS is why missionaries are sent. THIS is why pastors and deaconesses are being formed at Seminario Concordia el Reformador in the Dominican Republic. THIS is why we settle into one area, create relationships, and plant churches!
Your missionaries work to spread the Gospel,
plant Lutheran churches, and show mercy.
We spread the Gospel because that is what we are called to do as Christ’s followers – share His story. We plant churches so that as people hear the Word of God through the spreading of the Gospel, we then have a place to invite them to where they can continue to HEAR the Word of God being preached and receive the gifts He has there waiting for them. We show mercy, because after we have received mercy ourselves from God, we cannot help but turn to look to our left and our right at our neighbor and share that same mercy with him or her.
photo: LAC Communications
This is part of the story that I shared during home service this year. I am now back home in Santiago and am so grateful to be here. I will continue sharing the work God has prepared for us (Eph 2:10) as we finish our time in the Dominican Republic over the next few months and move to serve in Chile. Stories may be shared here and/or through our newsletter list. You can sign up for those here.
Honestly, the hardest part of my home service this time (aside from the solo-driving and busy travel schedule) was being separated so long from Rafa. We did really well, but long-distance marriage is definitely not for the faint of heart! He did come along with me via video, though, and made a surprise appearance toward the end of my full-length presentation (usually done on Sundays). You can watch his short video here:
Moral of the story – God is good, God is faithful, and God uses His people in all places for His glory!
My two encouragements for you today:
1) If you hear of a missionary heading to the US on home service, reach out to them, host them, encourage them, and pray for them!
2) How has God placed you to be a witness for Him through the spreading of the Gospel message or the sharing of His mercy and love?
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