A Life in Exile

The call is clear. At my local church, it is proclaimed every Sunday following the closing prayer: “Go, and make disciples.” Many, hearing that great commission, have left the comfort of home to serve among the nations. I’ve been a part of that group, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to disciple women and girls overseas and in my native land.

What happens, however, when you feel called to make disciples among a majority of your new country, but end up spending most of your time working with those already in the church from the minority population of Christians? Is working with Christians making an impact among Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists?

It is easy to get into this discipleship malaise when we don’t feel like our efforts are meeting expectations. So, the question we ask first is, “Whose expectations are we talking about?” Sometimes what we think we should be doing is not the same as what God desires. Spend time pondering and praying over that question, and then perhaps you can better answer these as well.

What is discipleship?

We’ve all heard sermons and explanations of the Great Commission that emphasize the point of the imperative, “go.” They talk about the process of going. “As you go,” make disciples. You can then ask yourself, “As I’m living and moving in this new place, am I making disciples?” Even if you’re in a Muslim-majority country and are actively discipling Christians, then you can answer yes. You’re discipling as you’re going.

What does discipleship look like? It’s teaching and empowering believers to follow Jesus. You’re teaching them the things Jesus taught, like what prayer looks like for a believer, and what God expects of us when we pray (the going into your closet type, with humility and a repentant heart). We’re doing what the apostles did with the early church, in teaching about Jesus and expounding on the Word of God, helping them to see how it relates together as a whole and to their lives. We’re showing them authentic worship and the importance of fellowship with other believers.

Ultimately, we’re making disciples who will make disciples. We are all products of the active witness and discipleship of those first twelve men, over two thousand years ago. What they passed down has been passed down. What we pass down will be passed down.

You may never see it, because seeds take time to grow and multiply. Sometimes, we’re not long enough in one place to witness the fruit of our labors for the kingdom. We have to be satisfied that we were found faithful in pouring into the life of the one or a few, trusting God to take our efforts and multiply them like the loaves and fishes in His time.

Am I modeling God’s love for the nations?

Even if I never have the opportunity to disciple a new believer from the majority population group, am I modeling to the Christians in my country what it looks like to desire what God desires for their souls? When I disciple a Christian and practice prayer with them, am I praying with fervency for the Muslims of our city to be saved? Am I praying with longing for our churches to be lighthouses to the lost and welcoming stations to the sick in heart?

When my late husband discipled Christians in Muslim-majority lands, he often took them out with him (one by one) as he met Muslims in businesses or on the road and witnessed to them. He also taught them how to go out in pairs to witness in their neighborhoods and then come back to report what the Lord had done.

I remember one woman was so apologetic as she arrived at the church for a training. When my husband asked her why, she told him that she had led a Muslim to the Lord while on her way. She was sorry that she had not waited for the training! When we model God’s love, even for our enemies, the Holy Spirit pricks the hearts of those open to growth and change. It may not be the majority, but even one or two Spirit-filled disciples can make a huge difference for the kingdom.

Is this a season or long-term commitment?

As missionaries, we know that our time is limited on the field. Doors close for a variety of reasons, and then we move on. Therefore, our goal should always be the training up of those we leave behind. They may be from the native Christian population or converts from the majority religion; either way, their discipleship is crucial to the continuation of the witness and growth of the church in that land.

So, the question we ask ourselves is this: “Is my work to disciple those from Christian backgrounds just a stepping stone to later work among the majority, or is the Lord asking me to pour all my energy into seeing the local church filled with strong disciples who are then reaching the majority for Christ?”

Only God can answer that question for you. There is no right or wrong here, but watching where the Lord is at work and joining Him in it. If God has given you an opening in the local church, because you see the hearts of people ready to grow and be challenged, then jump in with gusto and see what God will do. If there is one person who has come to faith from the majority religion, and you are the person connected to them, don’t neglect the opportunity to help them grow in Christ.

You may be able to do both. This is a big-time commitment, either way, but oh, the joy of asking your Christian-background believers to pray for the other new believer you’re discipling, and vice versa. We want new believers to pray for the local church and for the day when believers from every background can safely gather in worship together.

Do not grow weary in doing good.

It is easy to get depressed when we don’t think we’re making a difference. Satan loves for malaise to set into our minds and hearts. Push back. Evaluating your work is important, but never lose sight of God’s greater purpose—for us to make disciples as we go through our days, that all nations might proclaim Christ as Lord.

There may be times when we step back for a season of working with one person or group in order to seek God’s guidance. That’s okay too. However, don’t give up. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the one or few who are looking for help, wanting to grow, needing a challenge, and then boldly step in and make disciples.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts making disciples: Making Disciples, Faithful Saints, The Purpose of Discipleship, Multiplication, and A Cord of Three Strands.