The Apostle Paul recognized Priscilla and Aquila as vital partners in his ministry. He noted that they risked their own lives for his safety, welcomed a church into their home, and even provided him with employment. Paul remarked that all the Gentile churches owed them a debt of gratitude for their contributions (Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19, Acts 18). They were not just friends; they literally put their lives on the line, risking everything for the sake of the gospel alongside Paul. However, perhaps the most significant support they offered him during his missionary journeys was their constant and unwavering encouragement. Having said this, providing encouragement is the greatest way we can support the missionaries we have sent out from Oakhill Baptist Church.
This year, our team has journeyed on a short-term international mission trip to Lusaka, Zambia, with nine members. Additionally, a group of fifteen students and adults traveled to Decatur, Alabama, to assist a church with revitalization efforts. In August and November, we are sending a total of sixteen individuals to Tokyo, Japan. On all these trips, we are committed to being prepared to share the gospel message, with the hope that God will open hearts and minds to receive it and respond with repentance and faith.
On these trips, we will have canvassed neighborhoods, prayed with people on their doorsteps, shared the gospel, taught the Bible to adults and children, led a Business as Mission conference, preached the gospel in the streets and in a seminary, and planned for future partnerships. The most significant and lasting outcome of our efforts as a church community is that we have provided strong support and encouragement to our missionaries. These individuals have dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel and making disciples across the nations, fulfilling the mandate and call of Matthew 28:19-20.
What we cannot do when we go on a mission trip, no matter whether we are taking the gospel down the street or across the globe, is to make it about us. The best way to ensure we are not making missions all about us is to humbly ask the people on the ground we are serving on: What is your greatest need? By asking what their needs are and working to fulfill those needs, is removing our inclination to go and just do what we want. Our goal is to be a blessing to our missionaries, not to show up and be a burden.
I often hear stories about churches that plan mission trips to foreign countries where they don’t even speak the indigenous language, acting on their own agenda without consulting the local missionaries, and just doing what they want. When this happens, individuals who have responded to the gospel are often left without a local church to continue their discipleship journey. That’s why, when we go, the aim is to prioritize encouraging our missionaries by supporting them in the everyday aspects and rhythms of their lives. And if it’s evangelism that we are doing, when someone responds, they are pointed to a local healthy church to continue discipleship. I like to say, “Let’s just jump in with what you are doing and help there”. Seeing firsthand in person what our missionaries on the ground are doing and getting involved in those activities is one of the most encouraging things we can do to offer support and encouragement.
We can then come back home to the States and share with the rest of the church what we saw and experienced, share the prayer requests, and the needs of our missionaries. Let us have the same mindset as Priscilla and Aquila as we partner with our missionaries across the globe, offering constant and unwavering encouragement, as they have devoted their lives for the sake of gospel advancement.
If you would like to know more about how you can support our missionaries and prayer partners from OHBC, please do not hesitate to ask. I would love to tell you more about how you can get involved! (
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