Ministry
What Does a Missionary Do?
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” were among Jesus’ final words to his disciples before His ascension (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV). Christians throughout the ages have followed this command, known as “The Great Commission,” by going to places where people had not yet heard about Jesus and living out their faith in such a way that those people would be drawn to Christ and become His followers.
Today, many people still have not heard or understood the basic truth that Jesus died for us so that we can have new life. Contemporary missionaries are still going into the nations of the world to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey the teachings of the Bible. Even Western nations, such as the United States, are full of people who have not had the opportunity to accept or refuse Jesus’ gift of life.
AMF missionaries live in rural and urban areas of the U.S. where few Christian ministries exist. They build friendships with people in the region where they live (a “field” in missions terminology) and start ministries to meet the needs of those people. As they get to know others, they tell them how Jesus can change lives, and they encourage those who are already following Christ to get to know him more closely.
Missionaries might serve in the city where they grew up or might be on the other side of the world. They might work with children, adults, or senior citizens; they might lead a prison ministry, a camp, a church, or Vacation Bible Schools and children’s Bible clubs. They might even be doing something no one has ever done before. AMF missionaries are young and old; they have a variety of interests and spiritual gifts; they come from many different cultural backgrounds; their daily schedules are unique. One thing they all have in common, however, is a desire to see people in the United States come to know and follow their Lord, Jesus Christ.
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