About Missions

The Uncertainty of foreign Missions -
by Dr. David L. Cummins, deputation director of Baptist World Mission

   The modern Bible-believing mission program is in grave danger today. Deputizing missionaries are finding it more difficult than ever to raise the needed funds to serve the Lord abroad. Looking at the situation realistically, we face a crisis that we dare not ignore, hoping it will disappear. Among Bible-believing Baptists there is a reservoir of funds that must be tapped to get missionaries to the fields beyond. But that supply of funds is being challenged as it must serve the need not only of new missionary recruits, but it must also buttress the growing needs of veteran missionaries who find themselves in a world where inflation is devouring their current support. As a result, many of these veterans are actually returning on furlough to again enter the field of deputation to raise support for their budget.

   Recently Dr. Ron Brooks, BWM Field Director for Western Europe, read an interesting article while on the continent. The article spoke of the inflation problem, and Dr. Brooks has provided several valuable observations.

   “Missionaries, especially missionaries in Europe, are facing difficult financial pressures. They are confronted with a two-fold problem: growing inflation and a continuing devaluing of the dollar in the exchange rate against the euro. Let me illustrate both problems.

    “A newspaper article in Madrid, Spain, reported that Spain had experienced an 88% inflation rate over the past five years. Since the inflation rate in America is so low, most Americans do not know the impact of high inflation. To make the problem easier to understand, I divided 5 into 88 and came up with a figure of 18. Spain has experienced about an 18% inflation rate a year for the past 5 years.

    “Missionaries have a ‘fixed’ income in US dollars and live in an economy that uses euros. Let me illustrate the situation by showing the effect of inflation on a couple of items for which the missionary must spend euros.

   “At an 18% inflation rate, a loaf of bread 5 years ago cost $.94 (equal to one euro) but 1 year ago cost $2.66 (equal to 1.94 euro).

   “Missionaries continue to receive $1 US, but with inflation and the exchange rate they must pay $2.66 for the same loaf of bread.

    “The illustration becomes more dramatic when we consider a large expense such as rent. The rent figure I have chosen is very low, but it will illustrate the point.

    “At an 18% inflation rate, rent 5 years ago cost $470 (equal to 500 euro) but 1 year ago cost $1308.15 (equal to 969 euro).

    “The missionary continues on a fixed income of US dollars. Note that now the rent he must pay in euros has almost tripled in 4 years. “How does the missionary continue his ministry on the field under these conditions? He must ask his supporters for additional support, or he must come home.

    “I have had pastors say to me, ‘All missionaries do is ask for money.’ With these figures one can see why. I often ask a pastor, ‘When was the last time you gave your missionaries a raise?’ Most whom I ask never have. They respond, ‘We cannot give missionaries a raise and take on new missionaries too.’ If the veteran missionary on the field does not receive financial relief, he will soon be a statistic, joining others who have left the field. The new missionary you support may soon be in the same financial situation. You can do both: give your current missionaries a raise and take on new missionaries. It will take understanding, commitment, and sacrificial giving to solve this problem.”

    I appreciate that insight from Dr. Brooks. But now let me point out that while the “missionary reservoir” is dwindling because it is serving both veterans and deputizing personnel, the “fundamental” supporting base of missionaries is shrinking. Religious “empire builders” are primarily not interested in anything outside the thrust of their local ministry, and pastors whose congregations have dropped standards are somewhat reluctant to have missionaries present who challenge church members in holiness as well as stewardship.

    Another ingredient must be interjected to make the equation more understandable. While the cost increases, we must admit the missionary army is diminishing. But the remainder of the missionary force finds itself now in the middle of a “pincers” movement.

    I am always reluctant to allude to the United Nations. I surely do not want readers to think for a minute that I honor an organization that is so anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Christian. However, from time to time the UN publishes information that is of vital interest to the expansion of missions. Such an article appeared in print about a month ago, and I would like to share that data in this article. The article began:

   “UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The world’s population will likely reach 9.2 billion in 2050, with virtually all new growth occurring in the developing world, a U.N. report said Tuesday. “According to the U.N. Population Division’s 2006 estimate, the world’s population will likely increase by 2.5 billion people over the next 43 years from the current 6.7 billion--a rise equivalent to the number of people in the world in 1950.” (Underlining supplied)

    After dealing with the impact that AIDS will have upon population growth, the article continued: “most population growth will take place in less developed countries, whose numbers are projected to rise from 5.4 billion in 2007 to 7.9 billion in 2050. The populations of poor countries like Afghanistan, Burundi, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger, East Timor and Uganda are projected to at least triple by mid-century.”

   By contrast, the total population of richer countries is expected to remain largely unchanged at 1.2 billion. The report said the figure would be lower without expected migration of people from poorer countries, averaging 2.3 million annually. According to the report, 46 countries are expected to lose population by mid-century, including Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and most of the former Soviet republics.

   As we read such figures, may we not be overcome with the numbers but meditate rather upon the fact that Jesus Christ loves all mankind and desires that the Gospel be clearly presented to each with the offer of eternal life to all who will respond in repentance and faith to Him. We must pray the Lord of the Harvest to thrust forth more heralds to carry His message of redemption to all mankind. He is not willing that any perish. Dare we go about our work indifferently as the need proliferates? As the jaws of the vise close in on missionaries, we are reminded again that we are called only to faithfulness. Our Lord has promised to supply all our needs, and He cannot lie. He will supply, and He will honor those whom He can use as the supply conduit. Will you be among those in your congregation who make missions a priority in your life?

Dr. David L. Cummins










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