Did you know there is actually a manifesto for African Americans and missions?!
I have talked to Christians who have never met an African American missionary. I have been to churches where members don’t remember ever having a cross-cultural missionary share at their services. And while it may not seem that a lot is happening among African Americans and missions, God is reviving a rich legacy in missions among those who are seeking to serve!
The Bible says, “seek and ye shall find.” A group of mission seekers came together to ratify the African American Missions Mobilization Manifesto. It crystallizes the vision and passion for global missions. It also includes some important history and statistics.
Here are a few quick excerpts:
How did three people look at the SAME thing and see something DIFFERENT?!
Once there was a single lady that was leaving work late one evening with one of her employees as well as a fellow co-worker. As they approached the lady’s car, the lady and the two men all noticed she had a flat tire. At this moment,
You just might be surprised at which of your friends, coworkers, or family members is looking for help, direction, and opportunities to grow in their service in mission.
Have you noticed that many Baptist churches have inserted “Missionary” in their name? So the revised name becomes, for example, Friendly Missionary Baptist Church. Why do you think that is?
Do you recognize these names:
Did you do pretty well with the first three names? Struggle a bit with the last three? Here is a little help …
William Sheppard – one of the first African-American missionaries, served in the Congo
John Marrant – ministered cross culturally to Native Americans in the 1770’s
George Liele – considered to be the first American overseas missionary, served in Jamaica
It’s not uncommon to hear about the great contributions of African Americans for secular contributions such as inventions, education, and civil rights. As believers, let’s also remember the service of those committed to fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord even amongst great challenges.
Bonus Question: Who is credited as the first African-American missionary to Africa? (Answer at end.)
William Sheppard: Congo’s African American Lingstone
By William Phipps
In this comprehensive biography of William Sheppard, William Phipps chronicles Sheppard’s childhood and his incredible journey to the Congo. Phipps details Sheppard’s efforts to challenge human rights violations, presents accounts of Sheppard’s life after he left Africa, and explores some of the reasons behind his departure. In addition, the book describes the African American missionary’s indelible impact on the areas of religion, human rights, education, and art. This important work tells the remarkable story of how an African American born in the South during the era of slavery emerged as on the most distinguished Presbyterian leaders in American history.
http://www.amazon.com/William-Sheppard-Congos-African-American-Livingstone/dp/0664502032
African-American Experience in World Mission
By Vaughn J. Walston & Robert J. Stevens
Venture into the world of overseas missions from an African-American perspective. This collection of articles takes you deep into the history of missions in the African-American community. You will learn of the struggles to stay connected to the world of missions in spite of great obstacles. You will read of unique cultural experiences while traveling abroad. You will feel the heart for fulfilling the Great Commission both in the African-American community and beyond.
Buy Now from the William Carey Library
ISBN 10: 0878086099
Bonus Question Answer: Lott Cary
I have heard this question more than once: Why go around the world with the gospel when there are people right here that need to be saved? If we followed the reasoning of “why go”, we would never send relief or aide to others until every American was well fed and well clothed.We wouldn’t bother to help those far away even if they encounter famines, natural disasters, or other hardships. But of course we do send help because we understand there are great physical needs.
Sadly, there are places in the world where people live in great spiritual darkness and do not have access to the gospel. They don’t have Bibles or churches. Billions of people in our world live in areas where they won’t hear the gospel unless we send someone. Jesus said the road to destruction is wide with many choosing that way. It is a myth that we can put off sending the gospel to others until all our people at home are saved. There are numerous practical reasons we should go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone (Mark 16:15). But the most import reason we should go is because Jesus asked us to go.
First, what is a missionary? He is one that is sent with a message especially to another people or country.
Was Jesus sent? Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven … to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)
Did Jesus have a message? Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God”. (Luke 4:43) Not only did he preach the message, he was the message! The word became flesh.
Did Jesus go to another country? Jesus came down from heaven’s glory, not just to another country but to another world! In fact at Christmas we celebrate his coming!
That’s great, but what does that have to do with me? When Jesus gave the Great Commission, did it apply to you and me? Did he charge our church, or just other churches? Is it part of our responsibility as Christians or is it optional? If we want to be like Jesus, we will be missionary people, not just in name, but in deed and action.
We have seen so many times WWJD: What would Jesus do? We see so vividly in the life of Jesus that he would pray, he would go, he would send. The real question now is WWWD: What will WE do?
“Do you know someone who needs this?” I was talking on the phone to a friend who is very active in serving the community. Her office was putting together a wonderful Thanksgiving basket, and she was wondering if I knew a family in need. My heart was warmed by the thoughtfulness, but as I hung up I wondered, “What about April?” I began to think about our churches and how we get excited about doing special projects during this season. That’s a good thing. But what about April? Don’t people need to eat in April? Or February or May?
We must be careful about taking a project approach to our ministry. We cannot be content to do just enough to make us feel better that we did a good deed. That shows concern but not commitment. Just as when we work we want a regular paycheck, the work of ministry requires regular giving to the church and from the church. As we come to the end of one year and start to plan for the next, let us think about how we can move our home and global mission from a project to a passion, something that we are committed to every month of the year, including April.
Have you ever shown up at an event and found everybody was really dressed up, except you? Or perhaps someone showed up at the door of your home unexpectedly and you were not properly dressed to answer the door. That's an awkward feeling!
If Jesus were to knock on our door today and invite us to the Annual Missions Banquet, would we be dressed and ready to go? Would our churches show up at the event grossly underdressed or well suited for the occasion? What do you think of Dr. Johnson’s take on this question?
I see African American mission efforts in a light similar to that of the narcissistic emperor from Hans Christian Anderson’s tale who hired a tailor to make him some fine clothes. Everyone in his fiefdom was afraid to speak against this ruler. His tailor weaved him a fine suit of clothes made of nothing. The emperor was very impressed by his fine figure, and went on to parade his naked frame in public completely oblivious of his nakedness. … No one would dare tell him he was naked except one bold little boy. This brought much shame of the emperor, but it did awaken him to his brazen, egotistical ways. The black church in America, like the emperor, has no clothes when it comes to mission work overseas (Making the Blind Man Lame, Dr. Michael Johnson, p. 19).
As an African American missionary, Dr. Johnson has great reason for this perspective. Over his many years of missionary service as a surgeon in Kenya, the folks on the mission field keep asking him, “Where are the African American brothers?”
I have been to lots of African American churches of various denominations. And I know that we know how to dress up and look good for service. But, when it comes to Great Commission service, do we have our swagger going on, as the young people say these days, or are we underdressed?
How are we to reach those living in countries which restrict missionary access? One approach is business as missions (BAM), or as it has been traditionally called tentmaking. Tentmaking may often be understood to refer to the economic factor: a missionary being financially self-supporting. However, tentmaking is not about money! It is about God and finding new ways of revealing God’s glory to the ends of the earth.
Jesus says, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) Jesus is still seeking fishers of men; some are to leave their nets, and others are to bring their nets with them! Business as missions is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to use their skills and talents to reach the otherwise inaccessible unreached. It is using daily-life strategies to tell people about Jesus, giving the lost a good look, and often a first look, at who Jesus really is.
To find out more about or prepare to engage in business as missions see Patrick Lai’s most helpful and practical book: Tentmaking: Business as Missions
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