There is an on-going debate about the use of volunteers in missions settings. Those who look unfavorably on this strategy usually point to factors such as the lay volunteer’s lack of language skills or knowledge of the culture. Some say that the money spent to send a team would be better used sent directly to the missionary. Others argue that volunteers are guilty of practices that produce dependency. Some missionaries point out that allowing non-professionals do their work is no less risky than allowing volunteers to fly the plane that takes them to their destination.
I realize that these and other arguments against the use of volunteers have their merit. Nonetheless, I believe the overall benefit of using volunteers far outweighs the inherent risks. Working cooperatively within the local missionary’s strategy is the key to the successful utilization of volunteers. It is she that knows the language and customs, understands the needs, and has formulated a strategy that effectively incorporates volunteers to amplify her ministry. It is the patient, humble, servant-hearted volunteer that respects and trusts the missionary and local believers that God can use in a mighty way on the mission field.
From personal experience, here are some of my reasons for advocating the use of volunteer missionaries:
- Mission Agency Strategy - Our mission agencies recognize the great potential for reaching the nations for Christ through volunteers and are intentionally adapting their structure to inform, mobilize, and accommodate them.
“The growing participation of short-term volunteers in overseas strategies has accelerated evangelistic harvest and enhanced our impact around the world,” says IMB President Jerry Rankin. “But it also is an obvious factor in the successive years of record missionary appointments, record levels of giving to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, and increased involvement in intercessory prayer for missionaries and the nations. “Most pastors would testify that getting their people personally involved in international missions has resulted in greater commitment to local witness and outreach as well.”1
- The Evangelism Gap - Our missionaries cannot complete the task alone. There are over five billion lost people in the world today (more about this on Monday, March 9).
- Relationships - Simply sending money to missionaries does not facilitate the building of multiple relationships made through volunteer partnerships.
- Future Career Missionaries - A great percentage of our missionaries on the field felt the call to full-time missions as a volunteer.
- The Great Commission - . . . was given to all Christians, not a select few, to the churches and not to any agency.
- My Personal Experience - Twenty years ago God used a volunteer mission trip to call me to 16 years of field service during which I hosted hundreds of volunteers. There is no denying the tremendous impact they had in the areas I served. Now, God has called me to work with KBC churches and field missionaries to mobilize this great and viable resource known as volunteers.
- Local Church Involvement - Nothing excites a church like direct involvement on the mission field.
1Mark Kelly, “Be sure overseas volunteer help doesn’t hurt”, IMB News and Information – 7/28/2000
