How can we support missionaries in light of Colossians 4:3? Rooted in Colossians 4:3 “and pray for us as well, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” What Paul Reveals • Mission advances when God opens doors • Prayer from the church is the divinely appointed means for those doors to swing open • The message is the “mystery of Christ,” so every effort centers on the gospel itself Prayer: The First Line of Support • Set apart daily time to intercede by name for missionaries • Pray specifically for open doors, clear proclamation, protection, and boldness • Use passages such as Ephesians 6:19-20 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 to shape petitions • Unite with others for focused seasons of prayer, following Acts 12:5 where “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” Financial Partnership • Give generously and consistently, remembering Philippians 4:15-18 where Paul calls such gifts “a fragrant offering” • Budget missionary support before discretionary spending, treating it as worship • Help with special needs: emergency medical costs, language school, equipment, or travel Encouragement and Communication • Send regular emails, handwritten letters, or voice messages affirming their calling • Celebrate milestones—new believers, baptisms, completed projects • Share updates from home so missionaries feel connected to the sending body Material and Logistical Help • Ship care packages with hard-to-find items or books that strengthen their ministry • Offer professional skills remotely—graphic design, accounting, legal counsel, IT support • Host missionaries on furlough, providing housing, transportation, and restful space Advocacy at Home • Keep their stories before the congregation through newsletters, videos, or brief Sunday updates • Mobilize small groups to adopt a missionary family, mirroring 3 John 5-8 where believers are commended for sending workers “in a manner worthy of God” • Organize short-term trips that meet genuine field needs and refresh long-term teams Sustaining Fellowship • Schedule virtual Bible studies with missionaries for mutual edification • Remember birthdays and anniversaries with cards or online gatherings • Stand with them during crises, offering real-time prayer and practical counsel Obedience in Everyday Choices • Model gospel-centered living at home, reinforcing the message missionaries proclaim abroad • Speak with children about missions, planting seeds for future workers • Align personal and church calendars to mission rhythms—fasting on strategic dates, celebrating cross-cultural holidays alongside the field team Encouragement from Additional Scriptures • Romans 10:14-15 underscores the necessity of sending proclaimers • Philippians 1:3-5 highlights partnership in the gospel “from the first day until now” • Hebrews 6:10 assures that God does not forget work and love shown to His name Putting It Into Practice Today 1. Choose one missionary or family and commit to daily intercession 2. Set up recurring financial support through their sending agency 3. Draft an encouraging message and send it before the day ends 4. Share their latest update with a friend, inviting them to join the support team 5. Mark the calendar for the next church gathering to spotlight that missionary’s needs and victories Consistent, Scripture-rooted support answers Paul’s plea in Colossians 4:3 and propels the gospel to new doors God is ready to open. |
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