Originally published by The Round Farmhouse Ministries on August 12, 2025

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)

When I think about missions in my state, I think about the cultural, economic, and religious diversity packed within relatively small mileage. I think about programs created to meet the current needs of specific groups of people, not simply creating programs for the sake of creating programs. I think about prepping meals at a local soup kitchen and painting a rec room at a mission home as a teenager, supporting needs that were already identified.

And I think about people who have chosen to spend their lives in missions, being the hands and feet of Jesus daily.

Ministering to the Ministers

I can serve the people the programs are designed to serve, but it’s also important for me to support those serving in various capacities. Just as Paul writes, it’s important to minister to those who are already serving in those programs: “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me” (Acts 20:34, ESV).

John also describes how the church should support those who are workers for the Gospel: “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 5-8, ESV).

And thinking of missions as ministering to the ministers reflects the goal of modern-day missions.

Modern Day Missions

“Missions” looks different now than even just ten years ago. I’m reading a book about changes in the Church and the topic of missions came up. It used to be that people would come to large gatherings, hear a sermon and music, and change their lives. Although these events may still take place, they aren’t commonplace anymore. Missions is not necessarily about large gatherings but about meeting the needs of people in the moment (i.e. food, clothing, and shelter) and building relationships, letting them see Christ working in you and through you.

So, join me in looking for opportunities to support missions through donations of time, supplies, and money. Let’s be on the lookout for long-term and short-term ways to serve. Let’s support those in the daily mission field. And let’s focus our hearts and the hearts of others on the purpose of missions: “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23, ESV).