Forty-one years ago, as a young man only recently saved, I attended a conference on missions in Urbana, Illinois. 14,000 people gathered to learn the state of world missions and the challenge the church faced. I vividly remember many of the sessions. 

The challenge to reach the Muslim world was a focus, as it was identified as a cultural powerhouse about to be unleashed upon the world. At that time, most Americans had little knowledge of the influence and potential of Islam upon world religions. For example, if you watch movies from the early ‘80s, the terrorists weren’t Middle Eastern; they were from Ireland. The influence of many aspects of Islam has grown exponentially as predicted.  I was ready to sell all (actually I didn’t have much) and go to the front lines of missions. 

I found a recording of Billy Graham speaking, which I vividly remember. Interestingly, Russia had just invaded Poland and the world was on the brink of war. How eerily similar it is to today, as Russia is invading Ukraine and the world again is on the brink of war. Billy Graham's message was that the answer to a world in need of peace is the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You can listen to the message at this link: https://bit.ly/urbana1981

I fervently prayed concerning my response to the call of missions at the conference. God spoke clearly to me: “You are not to go, but to send.” I was ready to go full-time as a missionary to any country. But my calling was not to move and become a missionary, but to send others and resources. I have obeyed that calling consistently. During my ministry with New Day, we have sent and/or supported long-term missionaries to many countries: Japan, Peru, Israel, Ireland, Burma (Myanmar), Haiti, Uganda, China, Malawi, and others. The number of countries that we have sent short-term missions to is too long to list. I cannot even begin to calculate how much money we as a church have sent to resource the Great Commission over the past 40 years. 

Reg Layzell, a leading revivalist in the mid-20th century, would often say, “The purpose of missions is to produce churches, and the purpose of the church is to send and resource missions.” My next season of ministry, as I step down as lead pastor, will enable me to continue this focus. I will continue to build New Day but will have more freedom to assist church planting and missions. Never think that you have to leave your town or your church to be effective. Embrace wholeheartedly what God had put in your hand and use it to build Christ’s Kingdom. As you do so faithfully, God will open doors. My life is a testimony of this truth. My willingness to stay and send has opened up countless doors of opportunity for me to visit and assist those called to long-term missions and church planting. Church, we have the Good News—let’s share it!