How can your church support missionaries as seen in Acts 13:4? Seeing the Pattern in Acts 13:4 “So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.” The verse is short, yet it rests on a foundation laid in the previous three verses. A healthy congregation at Antioch heard the Spirit, prayed, fasted, laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, and then released them. That sequence shows us how a local church can actively stand behind its missionaries. Core Ways Your Church Can Support Missionaries • Spirit-led commissioning ▪ Cultivate a worshiping, praying environment so the Spirit can clearly direct (Acts 13:2-3). ▪ Publicly recognize and affirm God’s call on the missionaries, laying hands on them as a sign of shared ministry (2 Timothy 1:6). • Unceasing intercession ▪ Paul repeatedly asked churches, “Brothers, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25; Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:3). ▪ Maintain organized prayer chains, regular corporate prayer times, and real-time updates so the whole body joins the work spiritually. • Financial partnership ▪ “Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). ▪ Follow the Philippian model: “You sent me aid again and again when I was in need” (Philippians 4:16). Budget missionary support as a firstfruits priority, not leftover giving. • Practical logistics ▪ Help with visas, health insurance, schooling for children, technology, and furlough housing (Romans 15:24). ▪ Assign a stateside advocate to handle details so the missionary can stay focused on the field. • Consistent communication ▪ Encourage two-way sharing: newsletters, video calls, and on-site visits (3 John 6-8). ▪ Celebrate answered prayers and victories; grieve losses together. Mutual encouragement strengthens both the field and the home church. • Member care and re-entry support ▪ Plan debriefs, counseling, and rest periods when missionaries return (Mark 6:30-31). ▪ Offer opportunities to share reports so the congregation sees God’s faithfulness and is stirred to further involvement. Anchoring Our Efforts in Scripture • Matthew 28:19-20 reminds us that sending workers is obedience to Christ’s Great Commission. • Romans 10:15 asks, “How can they preach unless they are sent?”—linking the goers and the senders in one Gospel chain. • 2 Corinthians 9:7 encourages cheerful, intentional giving, a vital element of missionary care. Putting It into Practice This Week 1. Form a focused missionary care team that will own communication, prayer, and practical needs. 2. Schedule a church-wide fast and prayer time specifically for current and future missionaries. 3. Review the budget, ensuring that missionary support is funded first, not last. 4. Adopt a missionary family for ongoing personal encouragement—letters, birthdays, and needed supplies. 5. Share field updates in every worship service to keep the vision alive before the congregation. Just as Antioch released Barnabas and Saul under the Spirit’s direction, today’s church can joyfully replicate that model—praying, giving, and standing shoulder to shoulder with those who carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. |
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