At the LWML organizing convention July 7-8, 1942 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Chicago the delegates chose the name Lutheran Women’s Missionary League over the name Lutheran Women’s League. They noted that “missionary referred to the individual member, who would be encouraged and enabled to win and hold souls for the Master.”

We see from the very beginning of our organization that missionaries are not just “them”, they are “us”. I recently asked the LWML national officers to complete this phrase. I’ll share their answers. What would your answer be?

A missionary is …

… Me! I am a missionary. Sent by Christ’s command, I share the Gospel message, do servant events, and present educational opportunities and charity work as I am going throughout the states and while traveling abroad.

… someone inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate the salvation of Jesus Christ through word or deed.

… anyone who shares the message of God’s grace and mercy.

… someone who seeks relationship with others in order to share the Gospel.

… one who reaches out to the lost and erring to make a difference in the Lord’s Kingdom here on earth.

… someone who is called by God to go to unbelieving areas to bring the good news of Jesus Christ.

… someone who steps out their door and talks about Jesus.

… a messenger bringing the hope found in Jesus Christ to the nations, one soul at a time, using their gifts, words, and actions.

… a faith-raiser, not a fundraiser.

… A disciple of Jesus Christ who is called to go where God has called him/her to go to give a witness to the Good News that Jesus Christ has died on the cross for everyone’s sins and came alive and rose from the grave for everyone’s eternal salvation. Jesus Christ IS Above All!

…  in the strictest sense, someone who leaves their home to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the simplest sense, someone with a heart to spread the Gospel and does so by their best means: prayer, giving time, and when possible, resources.

Next week we finish this phrase,

My dream missionary job would be …