A Word from a Mobilizer

February 16, 2009 – 5:36 pm

Missions Catalyst eMagazine recently shared some thoughts from Shane Bennett, a missions mobilizer that was “mobilized” by various people along the way. He makes the point at the end of his intro that

one one hand, we are where we are because God has put us here. On the other hand, we look back and see how God has guided us using various people, experiences, and events. If that’s the case, can we as mobilizers aim to be like those people, and arrange similar experiences and events (without being guilty of playing God)?

While I don’t think that attempting to imulate godly mobilizers runs the risk of “playing God” for people, Shane does make an excellent point. God is sovereign and does all things for his pleasure. But he uses people to accomplish his purposes.

To “arrange [mobilizing] experiences and events” is at the heart of Missions Mandate and SGI. We desire to mobilize people and churches to be engaged in God-centered missions mobilization. In essence, to help people move from point A to point B in their involvement in missions, so that they can, in turn, help others.

This ought to serve as a challenge to us as believers to help mobilize one another. And not just in the area of missions. As Shane points out, mobilizing often takes the form of encouraging people at different stages in life: an elementary kid encouraged by a girl to consider missions or a summer camper challenged by a verse about God’s sovereign plan for his glory.  In one sense, most people will not work as a full-time, vocational missions mobilizer (e.g. Director of Missions Mandate or serving as a rep for a mobilization ministry), but we can stir the young people in our church to love God so passionately that they’d be willing to do whatever he asks or plant ideas in a retirees mind as to how he can utilize his “golden years” for the advancement of the gospel or encourage young parents to instill a God-exalted view in their children.

As believers, we’re called to this ministry. Surely this would fall under the command that Paul gives to those in the Galatian cities: “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). This verse is set in the context of bearing one another’s burdens, especially when a brother is weary. We would be wise to heed this challenge and mobilize believers around us to faith and good works, one aspect of which would be the cause of the gospel around the world, which Shane highlights for us.

Entire “Shane Asks: How Did I End Up Here?” article.