How Much Longer 'Til We Get There?

by Clint Morgan

Dragging ourselves out of bed at 3:15 a.m. on June 14, we abbreviated the morning stretches and yawns, dressed, closed suitcases, and made the 45-minute trip to the Atlanta airport. We caught the 6:45 a.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale, then on to Cartagena, Colombia, South America.

Our family was attending the wedding of Adam, our second son. While teaching school in Barranquilla, Colombia, he fell in love with a Colombian lady. As wedding plans unfolded, they decided it would be great if our family journeyed to celebrate the wedding, then took a few days for some super family time.

The trip from the States went well, even though we were all extremely tired from the early morning wake-up. After arriving in Cartagena, we loaded in a van for the 90-minute trip to Barranquilla. Eyes drooped, heads bobbed, and the conversation ebbed and flowed.
Then someone asked the infamous travel question, “How much longer ‘til we get there?” We laughed, and reminisced about other family travels.

Trips Past

I recalled the many times we set off on a long journey in Africa, and before we’d barely started, one of the kids asked, “How much longer ‘til we get there?” The children scarcely comprehended we were traveling from point A to point B. They certainly did not grasp all that was involved in preparing for such a journey, or the variables that could totally change the course of events.

As parents, Lynette and I prepared for the trip, planned the route, and clearly defined our destination. Yet, even we could not predict what would happen along the way. Roads were often rutted by rain or in such poor condition that a short trip of 50 miles became a three-hour, all-terrain challenge. Flat tires, broken mufflers, and dodging free-grazing animals presented constant challenges. We knew the variables existed, but we could not predict when or where they would come into play.

How Much Longer ‘Til They Can Leave?

Drawing parallels between life experiences can be risky. They are typically affected by one’s perspective. However, I will take that risk.

The International Missions’ Board meeting of December 2011 was one of the darkest days we have faced. The financial crisis compelled the board to mandate all missionaries in the States remain here until our situation stabilized. I had to call each missionary family to relay the decision. I will never forget the humble silence and quiet tears that followed each conversation.

As I’ve traveled around the denomination, one pressing question has been voiced in every service: “How much longer before the missionaries can leave?”

The Board’s Mile-Markers

Each response has been the same as I enumerated three mile-markers set by the board. First, we had to see liquid assets reach a minimum of $610,000. Second, we had to sustain this level to keep us out of crisis mode. Last, we had to experience an upward trend in monthly support. Once we knew where we were headed, the journey began.

An African proverb states, “Put your faith in God, but tie your camel tight.” Free Will Baptists had to do our part while petitioning God and trusting Him to provide.

One of the major obstacles on this journey was to get financials back into shape. We didn’t get in trouble overnight, and we didn’t expect to get out quickly. The whole world has been affected by the current economic crisis. Again, we prayed. God moved in the hearts of our people, and you responded. We prayed faithfully, worked tirelessly, and moved forward in faith believing the World Missions Offering (WMO) would be a record breaker.

Passing Mile-Marker One

We are still in awe of all God has done. We did have a record-breaking WMO. We wanted 650 churches to participate. But God had greater plans than we imagined. He led more than 700 churches, 19 from international mission fields, to contribute to the WMO. Income totals shattered previous records, with a total of more than $950,000. God is truly awesome.

Our missionaries lit up with joy when we told them we had passed mile-marker number one by reaching $610,000 in liquid assets. We could sense the excitement in our missionary force as WMO offerings kept coming, and the totals kept rising. Each one continued fundraising while waiting anxiously to see an increase in monthly income. They rejoiced as one unit when we informed them we had noted a steady rise in monthly commitments. And a shout rang throughout the land when we said to our missionaries at the National Association in Memphis, Tennessee, “You can go home now.”

So, How Much Longer?

We have passed all three markers set by the board. If you were at the national convention, you, along with several thousand Free Will Baptists, heard us give our missionaries the answer to that nagging question. By now, some of our missionaries have heard their children ask, “How much longer ‘til we get to Nantes…Hokkaido…Montevideo…” or wherever home is to them.

I know this: you have pumped life back into our missionaries. You have confirmed your trust in International Missions and our missionary force through your generous monetary gifts. You have affirmed our missionaries in their task by hosting them in your churches, homes, and youth groups. You have staked your claim alongside them by partnering with them through monthly financial commitments. You have said to them, “carry on,” for you know God has chosen them to take the gospel to the regions beyond. You have been obedient to God’s moving.

We know you are rejoicing that your missionaries are getting to go home and back to work. National believers in each country will celebrate the return of their missionary friends and coworkers. We see our missionaries returning with a renewed fervor. We anticipate a greater harvest than ever before. Also, we firmly believe lost people are waiting for the return of the missionaries, and they don’t even know it.

Mile-Markers Set by Christ

We are anxious to get our missionaries back to their fields to continue ministry. But other mile-markers are still ahead.

Billions of unreached people populate the earth. We cannot let up until they have heard. In Matthew 24:14, Christ set a significant mile-marker we should strive to pass. He stated, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Christ clearly declared that the gospel is to be preached to all nations.

Mile-Markers Passed

Through recent travels to four of the fields pioneered by Free Will Baptists, where others continue the work, I have come to realize just how much has been accomplished. In January, I had the joy of being in Panama and Uruguay when the national churches and our missionaries celebrated 50 years of ministry. It was inspiring to hear that all the churches planted in Panama by our missionaries are now under national leadership. My excitement hit another level when I was told that every one of our churches is planting at least one other Free Will Baptist church. I found a similar scenario in Uruguay.

In February, my travels took to me Cuba. Since I met pioneer missionary Pop Willey when I was just 12, I have longed to go there. The national church celebrated 70 years since they established themselves as a legal entity. Cuban churches have a burning desire to reach their nation for Christ. Over those 70 years, the church in Cuba has grown to more than 10,000 believers gathering each Sunday to worship the King of Kings.

In the month of March, I made the long, long journey to India where Free Will Baptists have ministered for 77 years. Carlisle Hanna is the only missionary serving there with International Missions. He has given 62 years of his life for the people of India. His creative methods and unquestionable commitment have led to the establishment of a vibrant and growing church. Every Sunday nearly 18,000 believers gather in Free Will Baptist churches across India.

Our history is rich, and our future is bright. Currently, we have five new couples and a single missionary ready to reach out to new areas with the good news of salvation. We have veteran missionaries with their hands to the plow, helping prepare the soil for more planting and watering as God prepares for His harvest.

Many people groups have been reached through the efforts of Free Will Baptist missionaries. For this we must rejoice. However, many more still wait. We must press on.

Mile-Markers Ahead

Many frontiers are yet to be penetrated with the gospel. Free Will Baptists must come before God and seek our role in reaching those still unreached. Perhaps God will use our denomination to make an impact on fields yet to be harvested.

Latest statistics on world evangelism reveal:

• Over 1.6 billion people have yet to be evangelized.
  

• 26 countries are “closed” to the gospel. Personnel cannot get into these countries on a missionary visa, and it is illegal to try to convert people to Christianity.
  

• Only 5% of the evangelical missionary force is working in creative access countries.
  

• Of the 16,653 people groups in the world, 7,026 have not been evangelized.
  

Matthew 6:21 says, “ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” What do these stats indicate about the heart condition of the evangelical world? We want to be a part of the believing world giving our best to reach those without Him. Free Will Baptists must seize every opportunity to reach “all nations.” We can let others know our treasures are in the right place.

We Can Go Farther Together

We have come a long way in our missionary efforts, and we have done this together. Still, there is a long way to go before “all nations” hear the Good News. I sincerely believe we can do much more together. Together, we can develop long-lasting partnerships where we have strong national churches. Together, we can penetrate the borders of the 26 closed countries. Together, we can set the example for other evangelical groups by sending a higher percentage of our personnel to unreached peoples. Together, we can keep our missionaries on the fields and see new fields open up among those 7,026 unreached people groups. Together, we can make a real difference on the world stage of missions. Together is the key to this journey we have started.

How much longer ‘til we get there? Only God knows. But with His help, we will keep moving in the right direction.

About the Writer: Clint Morgan is general director of Free Will Baptist International Missions. Learn more: www.fwbgo.com.