I’ve been pondering the types of people, professions, and perspectives that might best write to the Christian church in the coming years. No Christ-follower can look at the world around us without seeing it unraveling at an astounding pace.
Thinking back to the 1990s when Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye created the first books of the fictional Left Behind series, they would have been roundly mocked if they included what is happening now in 2023. But as Mark Twain wrote, “It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.”
Who are the people already among us who can be of great help to Christ-followers with different perspectives on living in a hostile world?
A few weeks ago, I suggested one group could be those with a military background. After all, they have been trained, thrust into the breach of an uncomfortable world, and ordered to deal with it.
Today, I suggest another group that could be very helpful for all believers to consider giving attention: those who have given some or all of their lives to Christian mission work, domestically or abroad, have a battle-tested faith, and are worth giving some attention to. Why?
They have a purpose:
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT).
They know what it is to live as an exile. They know their citizenship is not on this earth:
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19, NLT).
They know more than most people about the cost of discipleship, considering everything loss compared to knowing and serving Christ (Philippians 3).
They know who deserves their complete loyalty:
And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12, NLT).
They depend completely on God. If they are not trusting God for their next breath beforehand, they certainly end up growing in dependence while serving.
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:23, NLT).
They act as Christ’s ambassadors:
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35, NLT).
Missionary writers still need to find ways to help sell their books, but they certainly have a perspective that might be of substantial help to other Christ-followers. If you have a strong media platform, you might consider “adopting” a writer with a missionary or military background, amplifying their message.
Like those in the military, missionaries are equipped and sent out to fight a battle, but not against flesh and blood.
(Photo credit: Lydia Matzal on Unsplash.)
The Cost of Permissions vs. Fair Use
A friend of mine blurred the line between missionary and mercenary. It might have been a good story.
There are those most silent men
who choose to sell their heart and sword,
risk it all, then risk again
in service of the holy Lord.
It can be difficult to square
protection with “thou shalt not kill”,
and one’s daily made aware
that due may come chastisement-bill
for violent interpretation
of Christ’s injunction to defend
the little ones from desecration,
and no-one should therefore pretend
to understand God’s final truth
that judge the choices made in youth.
Wow, Andrew! Powerful stuff, there! You instantly gave me a different perspective on a few missionaries I know and with whom I served! Food for thought!
My youngest daughter feels called to travel the world and make video documents of missionaries. She has a degree in video editing and is using that for her church right now, but she’s working to put things in place where she can go and do what she feels passionate about.
Not exactly writing, but pretty close. I’m going to forward this blog post to her.
Thanks, Dan!
Amen to this, Dan! Missionaries have powerful, life changing stories to tell. Thanks for understanding that and for sharing this today. Grateful.
Yes!
But… the children.
Who writes for them today?
Look up MSWL for any literary agent who accepts middle grade manuscripts. Most likely you will see that they are seeking LBGTQ materials. For middle grade!
My heart is heavy for the burdens placed on little children today. As a writer I am at a loss. In the query trenches, with little hope,
Terry Scarborough
As a Christian writer who works in a public school elementary library, I share your burden for the children. I want to encourage you, because I see God at work on a daily basis! I was happy to see “domestic” missionary listed in this blog post, because that’s exactly see myself.
Just a few examples of things I’ve witnessed/been a part of: A Vietnamese Christian 2nd grader literally wept because her Muslim seatmate didn’t know Jesus and she happily checked out a Katherine Paterson biography, JESUS–LIGHT OF THE WORLD to show her; a boy picked up a children’s Bible from a used book sale table and asked me if it was a good book (and then he happily plunked down his quarter after I told him I read my Bible every day); many children who check out a Manga Bible series just because it’s manga! I could go on and on. What a blessing to be the one there, to hear these questions and concerns!
Not all Christians work in a library with an open-minded, secular librarian or admin, but I’m grateful that my own middle grade novels are circulating right before my eyes. What joy! A new edition of the first book in my Sophie Topfeather adventure series is due out later this spring, with black line illustrations (SOPHIE’S QUEST). I can hardly wait until my students have the opportunity to check out this Holy Land friendship journey between an owl and a mouse.
I hope this all gives you hope, Terry! I’ll be praying for you to make the right connections. I know how discouraging it can be.
Thank you! I have joyful tears on my face. I will look for your books. Thank you, thank you for remaining in the teaching trenches. God bless you. I so appreciate the kind encouragement.
Thank you, Terry! I’m so happy to hear that you feel encouraged. God is so good and faithful and present, even (maybe especially?) in the public schools, where we have the entire mission field at our feet. God has never made it so love our neighbors from around the world as ourselves–Muslims and Christians and Hindus and Buddhists and those who are “spiritual” or want nothing to do with church–yet so many Christians have decided that the public school is exactly where they shouldn’t be. The irony isn’t lost on me!
Terry, or anyone else reading through this blog who shares a burden for children, if you’d like to be part of my launch team for the re-release of my children’s novels, please let me know! You can reach me through the contact page of my website, http://www.sonjaandersonbooks.com.
Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you!
I love what you’re doing for God’s children, Sonja! Thank you for sharing it. I’ll check out your website, too. Praying God’s blessings on your work!
Thank you so much, Pam! God is so good. Even just yesterday, some students came in looking for books on the Holocaust, and one of them walked out with a biography of Corrie tenBoom’s biography that I had donated! Please pray for her that it will touch her heart.
Wow, Andrew! Powerful stuff, there! You instantly gave me a different perspective on a few missionaries I know and with whom I served! Food for thought!
Dan, I’m so intrigued by that idea of ““adopting” a writer with a missionary or military background, amplifying their message.” Could you offer some suggestions on how to find these writers, and help them? Like author interviews in my newsletter? You mean things like that?
Yes, interviewing them in your newsletter would be a good way. Those with podcasts can also do this. The key to finding them is to actively look. Maybe that sounds too simple, but if you search for books by missionaries, you will get an idea of what publishers are doing them and by reaching out to tell them to include you in future promotional plans, you will be on the list for new releases.
Search online for books by military spouses or soldiers. Moody Publishers has a couple to start. Search for authors Megan Brown and Jessica Manfre.
Asking for recommendations from others is a great way to uncover people you and amplify.
Dan, must the missionary stories be non-fiction? I wrote a mystery novel based on a strange theft and unnerving repeated appearances of the same stealthy intruder who climbed over a high wall and silently ran past a missionary’s large, open bedroom window night after night. Traps planned by the missionaries, nationals, and a police detective failed to catch the agile thief. But it ALL actually happened to me while I was a missionary in Santiago, Chile! In real life the mystery of the intruder’s identity and why he came was never solved–he finally just stopped coming, but I solved it in the book. Is this a good time to start sending out queries?
Linda ~ your books sounds amazing!! Has it been published? If so, please share the title. Thanks!
This is such a great idea. A friend of mine is a missionary, albeit locally, and her heart completely belongs to Jesus. I would love see her voice and experiences spread to others. She even mentioned to me once about writing a book. I may have to do some extra… encouraging to her 🙂
Thank you so much Dan for including foreign and domestic missionaries in your list. Yes, having served at a remote Bible camp for over twenty years, the heartbreak is real as we do our best to meet children where they are at, show them Christ’s love, and point the way to Jesus with every game, song, Bible lesson, prayer, and conversation about the tough things they are facing at home. Those of us called in this way struggle on, not because we are able or the task is flashy and full of charm, but because we were called. If Christ called us to such an impossible task, He will bring forth the fruit. He does, time and time again. We see miracles at every camp we run, but it does always seem that we are truly desperate for help right before that miracle occurs, ha! Interestingly, I just blogged about the long, hard slog of youth ministry and why we keep going instead of getting “a real job.” Those who work with youth are truly in the trenches.
That was more than insightful. Well-worn cliché–You hit the nail on the head. I agree completely.
Thank you so much, Pam! God is so good. Even just yesterday, some students came in looking for books on the Holocaust, and one of them walked out with a biography of Corrie tenBoom’s biography that I had donated! Please pray for her that it will touch her heart.