John grew up in a faithful household, a Godly one. But while his family had a lot of knowledge about God, they had not yet experienced a personal relationship with Jesus. In time, John and his mother were converted, and they continued their faithfulness, supporting the church. To say that they were hospitable would be an understatement, for they would often open their home for meetings. As John continued following Jesus, he learned more about His ways from church elders and increased in devotion. He also loved to listen to missionaries and felt moved, as some young adults do, to join them in reaching the unreached.
With his mother’s blessing, John applied to and was accepted by the missionary-sending organization and was able to join the very missionaries whose stories had stirred him so. For a while, the missionary team met with success in sharing Christ with others. However, while witnessing in some areas hostile to the gospel and while facing daily hardships that can accompany mission work, John found the trials to be too much. Although John loved Jesus and desired to serve Him with all his heart, he was overwhelmed and left the project.
John did not leave Jesus, though, and Jesus did not leave him. John, although shaken and discouraged by his short-term missionary service, continued to be active in the local church. Over time and as he spiritually matured, he was encouraged not to give up his desire to serve as a missionary. He even received mentoring in how to lean on God when facing difficulties in the field and was provided with further cross-cultural training.
Through divine providence, an opportunity arose for John to re-enter the mission field. Now wiser and more perseverant, John’s second round of service met with great success, and he continued as a career missionary for many years, even publishing an account of Jesus’ life in the heart language of one of his people groups. It was very well received . . . and published as the Gospel of Mark.
Jesus is a God of second chances. If He is moving on your heart to reconsider the mission field as John Mark did, contact AFM and begin writing your next chapter in reaching the unreached.
