It is written: “The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall” (Education, p. 57).
Truly, the greatest need of the world is men who love God with all their hearts and are willing to follow wherever Jesus calls. Please do not misunderstand me, but in the case of missionary service, I do mean men.
There are two reasons I am specifically appealing to men. For one, many of the cultures where AFM works are patriarchal, and they expect a male in leadership, particularly in religious matters. Also, as I review the composition of our student missionaries over the past several years, I notice that there is a dearth of young men. The young ladies typically outnumber the men three to one; some years it is five to one.
Why is this? I suspect it may be because there are fewer positive, strong male role models in our media and culture today. Perhaps because men are now being told they have to be sensitive and emotionally vulnerable instead of being bold, courageous and adventurous. It seems to me that these are not mutually exclusive character traits. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was also the Son of Man, and He combined courage and strength with meekness and gentleness. He is the epitome of real manhood, and He was a missionary.
Men, where are you? Where are the men who will make God first, last, and best in their lives and will venture all for His glory? God is still calling men to go to the frontiers carrying the love of Jesus, the Holy Bible and the everlasting Gospel to those who are perishing. Who will put down their iPhones long enough to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and respond, “Here I am, send me!”
Real men, stand up! Answer the call. Be a missionary.
