QKAG: Issue # 57

PAST ISSUE # 57
Questions Kids Ask About God

Question: What does a missionary do?

Answer:
A missionary is someone who plants churches to expand the Christian faith in new frontiers, such as a foreign country or even a local town which does not have a church. In the Book of Acts, we read how the apostles went out to many parts of the Roman Empire to preach the gospel. Many people came to know Lord Jesus, and churches were set up in these towns and cities. We also read in the New Testament that the Church grew and expanded from Jerusalem to Rome. These days, missionaries are still being sent out to preach the gospel to the unreached people groups in Asia and Africa. They also help to set up churches in regions which does not have any churches.

Key Bible verses:
Malachi 1:11; Matthew 24:14, 28:18; Mark 16:15; Acts 13:13, 47

My views:
I have just returned from my first mission trip with my pastor to Jakarta, Indonesia. Our purpose was to help the local Christians expand their churches to other parts of Jakarta. The trip was a real eye opener for us. While I was there, my heart was burdened by the great need of the Indonesian churches, especially the ones which I visited. Due to the economic recession in Indonesia, many Christians were laid off and they are unable to support their churches financially. Inspite of their poverty, I could see that the Christians in Jakarta were on fire for Lord Jesus. I saw many young people coming to know God and desiring to serve Him in a greater capacity. I saw how hungry and thirsty they were for His Word and Spirit.
I visited a small church in one of Jakarta's low-income housing estates. This church was set up in a small room (about 48 metre square) on the ground floor of a government flat. The exterior of the flats was in a very sad state; graffitti and rubbish were everywhere. The impression I had was of decay. However, when I entered the small room which housed the church, I was astounded how well-kept the interior was. The small room was packed with many people that they had to put chairs outside the room. During the church service, the congregation worshipped in truth and spirit. I saw a joy and a renewing spirit in them, eventhough, they were surrounded by decay. In their hardship, I saw the unity and love for one another. It was wonderful how mightily God visited His people even in such poor surroundings. Sometimes, it put me to shame that we can grumble and take for granted the well-kept and well-endowed churches in Singapore. The Christians in Singapore have a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters in Jakarta. Eventhough, the Christians in Jakarta are poor economically, they are rich in many ways (2 Corinthians 8:9). I will tell you more about my Jakarta mission trip in the next QKAG newsletter.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me a wonderful church to worship every Sunday. Please forgive me when I have grumbled and complained about how "poor" my church is. Right now, I ask that you bless my church to be a blessing to churches which are poor and needy. I ask that you give the people in my church a compassionate heart and burden for missions and evangelism. Please use us to be instruments for the expansion of Your kingdom on earth. We thank You and exalt You over my church and the churches in Indonesia. Please continue to shower us with Your blessings and love. In Jesus' mighty Name, Amen.

Last words...
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
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