Wait, Are We Missionaries?

by Dec 28, 2022

First, Dinner…

Recently, I was reading Everyone A Child Should Know with my family during dinner (our children love this book!). We learned about C. T. Studd (1860-1931), a famous cricket player who left the game after his brother nearly died, causing him to grasp the preciousness of life and the nearness of eternity. “He gave up cricket; he gave up fame; he even gave away all his money – and went to China to tell people about Jesus.”

Then a Map…

After dinner, we walked over to our framed family map (thank you, Zach and Cassidy Cann!). I had the kids help me find England, where C. T. Studd lived. Then I moved with my finger all the way to China and then back to England. Then we traced Studd’s second missionary endeavor from England to Africa. The kids were sufficiently impressed that Studd loved Jesus enough to go such long distances to tell people about him.

As we talked about Studd’s missionary zeal, I asked, “Who else is leaving their home to travel to a far away place to tell people about Jesus?” 

Obadiah: “The Canns!”

Me: “Yes, the Canns are missionaries. They went far away to Papua New Guinea to tell people about Jesus. And who else is going to go somewhere far away to tell people about Jesus?”

(The oldest four thought hard…but were mostly distracted.)

Obadiah: “We are!”

And an Epiphany

Suddenly, Chloe gasped. Her mouth was open and her eyes were wide. “Wait, are we missionaries?”

Even though, we’ve used this language before with our children, somehow, a children’s book and a brief conversation in front of a map seemed to connect some new dots for our oldest. The question initiated a sweet, brief conversation about what a missionary is and why church planting and missions are nearly synonymous terms. Without sound churches, missions work doesn’t exist (Ti. 3:12-14). And missions exists for the sake of establishing sound churches where God is worshiped by those being conformed to Christ-likeness (2Cor. 3:18).

So, are we missionaries? Yes! We are missionaries being sent to the city of New Orleans.

Latest Articles

Nineteen Proper Responses to God and His Word

In his musings on practical atheism, Stephen Charnock reminds his readers why they must prize and study the Scriptures: “When the revelation is despised, the revealer will be of little esteem.”* This captures the basic truth that esteeming the Scriptures is the means...

How Do I Know God’s Word is My Delight?

The writer of Psalm 119, at times, expresses his own personal delight in God’s word (v. 16, 35, 47, 70). At other times in this mammoth portion of Scripture, the psalmist asserts that God’s word is his delight (see v. 24, 77, 92, 143, 174). The former is a statement...

CANCELLED: 09/11/24 MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

Due to the expected landfall of Hurricane Francine tomorrow afternoon, our usual Midweek Bible Study has been cancelled. Lord willing, we will meet again on Wednesday, September 18th to continue our study on The Home. All the earlier messages in the current series can...

My Heart Behind the Reading Guide

One of my heroes from church history is Thomas Bilney. There is much to say about him (maybe another time), but one reason I love Bilney is because he is most well-known for the significant impact he had on others within his spheres of influence. Whether through bold...

The 2024 Reading Guide

Our first (Lord willing, annual) reading guide is here! The goal of the reading guide is to encourage interaction with God's Word as well as sound extra-biblical resources. Find a copy online at the following link - 2024 READING GUIDE. We hope this resource is a...

CANCELLED: 04/10/24 MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

Due to the inclement whether occurring in New Orleans and the street flooding near the Mileses' home, tonight's Bible Study has been cancelled. Lord willing, we will meet again on next Wednesday, April 17th, to continue our study on The Home. All the earlier messages...