Missionaries face many unique, physical risks. That much is plain to anyone who has ever lived in a different country for any amount of time. Societies move at different paces, with different schedules, different culinary trends, and different mores.
In most of the countries where we want to go as missionaries, there are far greater challenges too. Typically, the parts of the world where the gospel has not spread are characterized by at least one, if not both, of these two things: frontier society or hostile religious society. Both present immediate, tangible difficulties to Christian missionaries.
Knowing that the missionary endeavor is a dangerous one, how should we think about risk? How should our recognition of risk shape our lives as Christians, and as those training leaders in the local church?
First, we must distinguish between real risk and what can be appropriately called folly. Folly is simply the lack of wisdom as it works itself out in specific actions in ones life. Those who practice folly are called fools (cf. Proverbs). Fools are those who fail to seek counsel (Prov. 12:15), who are arrogant and careless (Prov. 14:16), who fail to learn from past mistakes (Prov. 26:11), and who lack self control (Prov. 29:11). All of these apply to the work of a missionary, who should seek the wisdom of elders, carefully research specific mission fields, and learn from previous failures. Once these and similar things are taken care of, folly can be mitigated, or at least guarded against by means of the Scriptures and the church.
Nevertheless, real risks will remain for those who wish to travel abroad for the sake of Christ. No amount of preparation can remove all the dangers of ministry in a hostile society. Make no mistake, taking a white, American family into the heart of Africa would be a risky endeavor! In such circumstances, there is no hiding from violent opponents to the gospel. Let’s face it—what human culture is not opposed to the gospel, whether in the pagan outback or in the secular cities? The opposition might take the form of spears and machetes, or it might be legal and financial, but in every circumstance sinful people will fight to oppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). It is the world in which we live.
So how should we think about the risks of the mission field? Here are some thoughts for those who struggle to commit to such a ‘risky’ endeavor.
First, you can die as easily at home as abroad. Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone, whether they live in the Australian outback or Akron, Ohio (James 4:14, 1 Peter 1:24). Do you think that life in 21st century America is without risks? If you think that by staying home, you are protecting yourself or your family from risk, you are mistaken. The risks are of a different type and degree, yes, but they are no less real. Staying home does not guarantee that you will not die violently, or soon, or that your family will grow to maturity. We do not like to think about these things, but we should. The bare word, ‘risk,’ should not prevent anyone from undertaking the work of a missionary, because life in a fallen world is risky. We are fragile creatures and are easily snuffed out. This is what the Bible teaches (Psalm 144:4).
Second, though the risks of the mission field are often more tangible than at ‘home’, there are unique risks to not going out as a missionary as well. Consider this question: which is more dangerous, an AK-47—or a life of ease? Considering that the love of money is called a root of all sorts of evil (1 Tim. 6:10) and the warnings of Jesus regarding wealth (Matt. 13:22, Luke 6:20-26), can your soul afford to live in the midst of such danger? I am not saying that no one can be saved if they are rich (cf. Luke 18:24-27), but that it is a path of great difficulty at the very least. In some ways, the mission field is less risky, because the temptation to ease and luxury will not be as pressing. One wonders how many people Paul knew of who, by longing for money, had wondered away from the faith and pierced themselves through with many griefs (1 Tim. 6:10).
Third, God is God. There is no such thing as risk in His plan. He works all things after the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11), and causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). This even includes the suffering He grants to the saints, just as He also grants them faith (Phil. 1:29). It was no different for the suffering in the life of Christ—the misery of beatings and crucifixion were God’s will and plan (Acts 2:22-23, 4:27-28). Suffering for the sake of the gospel is joy (Acts 5:41) and blessing (1 Peter 4:14). God brings persecution and death for the sake of our joy and our glory (Rom. 8:17-18). I firmly believe, then, that the path of the sniper’s bullet is as ordained by God as the rising of the sun. When it is our time to die, the Lord will provide the means to take us and will, until then, preserve us. John G. Paton, a Christian missionary from the past, said it well: “I realized that I was immortal till my Master's work with me was done.” (HT: Piper)
Finally, the risks of Christian missions are real and are very great—but so is the reward. The blessing of preaching the gospel to an unreached people group is immeasurable. Why? For your sake? Yes. For the sake of the people you minister to? Also yes. But even more, the blessing is immeasurable because Jesus Christ is worthy of eternal fame. It is not enough that He should raise up the tribes of Jacob; God made Him a light to the nations so that His salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Is. 49:6). It is the global nature of the redemption that Christ accomplished that makes Him worthy to break the seals of God’s book (Rev. 5:9). The reward is sanctification for us and salvation for others, but even more importantly (!), the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The risks pale in comparison.
Let us then endeavor to be bold and courageous, to follow the will of God around the globe wherever He would call us, and to encourage others to do the same. Those who stay home must be as part of the missionary endeavor as those who go—both through spiritual and material support, and through their own participation in the preaching of the gospel. Why? Because it is safe? No, because Jesus is worthy.
--Dean of Admissions
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