A missionary's call can be very challenging especially if it is in a cross-cultural setting. Given various scenarios it could become outright dangerous; persecution of these ambassaors for Christ, a real threat. The question to pose is, when there is political unrest, or the persecution of missionaries is severe, and therefore a danger to themselves and to their family, should they leave their mission post? If so, what is the indicating factor of the point of escalation and of when to exit the place where they firmly believed God their Heavenly Father, had sent them?
Oh my! Will this have a straightforward answer?
We cannot judge a missionary's faith or actions at such times. We are not there. We do not know the full situation. Who are we to tell them, "Get out!" Or, "God called you to that place, you stay!"
For example, Jonathan and Rosalind Goforth, along with several of their children, were working as missionaries in China at the time of the Boxer Unrising (Rebellion). They were strongly advised to leave. They were inclined to stay as they felt they would be abandoning those who'd come to Christ.
However, those local believers begged them to go!
Why?
It was because anyone associating with such "foreign devils" were put in danger of their lives; especially, the converts. If the missionaries stayed, it would be more difficult for the locals to melt into the populace. The Goforths then decided to evacuate and almost did not make it through to safety. They did, though, and lived to return when the uprising had been dubiously squelched.
Some years ago I heard of another missionary family who had stayed throughout a major time of unrest in a certain country. I don't recall the exact country but one in South American territory. The details have eluded me on that score. By-the-way, it was not the time the Youth Group got "caught" in the Honduras in 2009, that I'm thinking of.
It was actual "full timers". When the locals realized this family was staying and enduring what they were enduring, it touched their hearts. The story of the love Jesus had for them, had become real and tangible. Many came to Christ because of it.
Here's another instance. Reach way back in time. Do you know what happened to the apostle Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:19-28)? He and Barnabas had been on the run from a group of Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who'd made it rather "hot" for Paul in those towns. They hadn't like what he had been preaching; "justification by faith alone?!" What about the Law of Moses they'd so devotedly kept?
The protestors came and stirred up the Lystra crowds who then stoned Paul. They dragged him out of the city and left him in a heap, supposing him to be dead. Having been dead or not, Paul got up, brushed himself off and re-entered the city with the group of believers who'd come out to, perhaps, bring him for burial. The next day these two cross-cultural missionaries hightailed it to Derbe. They did not stay in Lystra.
God wasn't finished with Paul and Barnabas's stint in Lystra, however. Can you believe it? Not sure I'd want to return. Yet, fortitude from God and by His grace, return they did, to strengthen and encourage the disciples who had been "gleaned" earlier.
Their "unfinished business" was a very important part of mission work. The very important work of appointing elders in every church. In turn, these men could help to build up the believers in their most holy faith in the Lord. All this despite the threat of further persecution precipitating upon them at any moment.
In the book of Acts, we read of a group of Jews who were severely persecuted. They did not stay in Jerusalem, rather, they scattered to the four winds, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ as they went. Here some, there some, obeying Jesus' call to the Great Commison to all the world. Something postitive came from the negative. Satan had used the persecution intended for harm, but God turned it into good. If those followers of Jesus Christ had stayed, they may well have been annilhilated, but because they did not stay - they were fruitful and multiplied for Christ.
The question to stay or not to stay, would need to be answered with great wisdom by listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance and good common sense. It would not be a matter for bravado. The strength and wisdom must come from God according to individual situation: so says, I, in my 'humble' opinion.
Indeed, the dangers are very genuine even nowadays, so we'd best continue to pray for all missionaries of the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation through faith in Him. Ask the Lord to give them great wisdom for the tough decisions in the face of persecution or political unrest or for whatever the reason. Ask that the decision to stay or not to stay in order to keep themselves, as well as the local band of believers, protected from undue harm, would be God's call and will for all concerned.
Father, we know Your Son Jesus stayed up there on the cross. It was not the nails that held Him there but Your will and His love for all mankind, so He could bring many sons (and daughters) to glory.
Poor and feeble though Your people may be, give us all the wisdom, and courage we lack, to know when to stay or when not to stay, and then to follow through. Your will be done.
We ask all in Your Son Jesus' Name.
~ERC January 2021~
Sing Here I Am, Lord, Dan Schutte, and SATB choir
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