MAY 2013 - Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Missionaryby M.L. Walls, World Missions DirectorThose who do not see the need for sending forth and supporting missionaries have probablynever been to a foreign missions field nor sat next to a missionary nor heard amissionary in prayer for the natives of some other country and some other language than hisown. It is a holy unction, a holy calling, that causes one to leave the comforts of America andtravel to that distant country to deliver to them the message which the Lord has given them.Our world will never be reached unless missionaries are sent forth.How many millions have already died in some foreign country that did not have the opportunityto hear the gospel one time? Is it fair for Americans to hear the gospel dozens, evenhundreds, of times while some native in the Philippines or in Brazil has not heard the messagefor the first time? The only way they are likely to hear the message that will save themeternally is through a missionary. The only way missionaries will travel to such a country andminister to such a people is by special calling and unction which God places upon their heart.The only way the Great Commission can be fulfilled is through a missionary effort.The responsibility of fulfilling the Great Commission which at the first was given tothe Apostles and early Church has fallen upon each succeeding generation of people whohave embraced the same Apostolic message. The only way a missionary can go forth is by aspecial calling and burden and the support of people back home. The only way this messagecan reach other countries is through the efforts of a missionary. A missionary that must besupported by those who are left with the “stuff” (1Samuel 30:21-24).I was reminded of the need and blessing of missionary work when I received the yearlyreport from our missionaries in the Philippines, Mark and Debra Naimy. I could not help butbe greatly stirred and blessed as I read this report, a small portion I share with you here:“I also believe it is possible to evangelize our world, and that emissaries from this nationwill play a major role in that. The Philippines is positioned at the doorstep to Asia, the mostunderevangelized region of the world where 60% of the world’s population, some 4 billionsouls, live. Of all the countries in Asia, only the Philippines consider itself to be a Christiannation. Surely, this is not coincidental. Even among non-Apostolics Filipinos, there is a sensethat God has called out and chosen their nation to take the gospel beyond their borders. Overthe course of time, I believe we will not only continue to see a great outpouring of God’sSpirit here but that we will also see foreign missions works emanating from the Philippines.22 Apostolic Witness“We finished the year with:• 81 ministers licensed with the ALJCPI• 54 churches• 72 outreaches• The Apostolic Bible College of the Philippines concluded its second year• ABC opened the Kabankalan branch with 19 first year students• We visited 17 of our churches and outreaches in the Philippines• Construction began on a parsonage building on our Kabankalan headquarters property• We built seven new churches and started construction on five others• At least 288 were baptized in the name of Jesus• At least 213 received the Holy GhostTotals during our time as missionaries (2009 - 2012):• 23 new churches built• 999 water baptisms• 884 filled with the Holy Ghost”Something wonderful is happening throughout the Philippines under the leadership ofthis greatly anointed couple. In this report alone consider how many are now baptized in thename of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost that otherwise would still be living in darkness.When we consider the missionaries that we are supporting in many other countries aroundthe world, we are overwhelmed with how the harvest has greatly expanded in the past fewyears because of your dedicated support of what is happening throughout the World MissionsDepartment. Together we are making a difference!