(July 25, 2023… some remembered thoughts by the late George Forbes, missionary spokesperson)…

Over the centuries many Christians have responded to God’s calling to be missionaries and I praise God for this!

But… in doing so I remember that Matthew 22:14 says, ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’

Necessary preparation
‘Called’ (klētos) means ‘invited’, ‘appointed’, ‘selected’, or ‘favoured.’ Words to be fully considered by every person dedicating themselves to the fulfilling of the call of God in their lives.

Matthew 22:14 has been interpreted in different ways; here I would write about the fact that though God calls those whom He has chosen, many are unprepared to activate their full response to His call because they have yet to complete the essential preparations for cross-cultural ministry!

Such preparation is to do with personal growth in Christ and learning how to walk in the Spirit.

Equipping essential!
Over many years, I interviewed hundreds of mission applicants and must say that too many were novices. 

I myself was a novice when I was first appointed as a young pastor, and a novice when I was sent to Papua New Guinea. Now God had called me to the nations in very clear ways when I was 18 years old but I wasn’t sent on my first journey to another nation until some eighteen years later!

My equipping in ministry and working with people in Australia, including Australian Aboriginal people, took all those years before I stepped off the plane for my first visit to Papua New Guinea! That was the beginning my journey of understanding God’s call to the nations and I soon realised that I was a novice among experienced missionaries! They graciously helped me over a period of years, especially Cyril Westbrook, a great missionary leader.

My purpose in raising this matter is to help a younger generation prepare for service in the missionary world… if that is where God is calling them to serve Him.

Times have changed!
In times past when new missionaries were enlisted to pioneer a new field, plant new churches where there were none, the challenge and reality was rather different!

Even the general role of missionaries was different. For years even the designation ‘missionary’ has been in disfavour in many parts of the world, so different terminology is used for practical reasons. But… the biblical ministry is the same, because the word of God is eternal.

I believe it is essential for any new missionary to fully prepare themselves in a range of ways until they have gained–

• Spiritual maturity
• Biblical understanding
• Language learning
• Ministry experience
• Readiness for the new challenges ahead.

On gaining a sound foundation in the above they will soon have daily opportunity to practise and develop their skill.

Changing generations can make their mark too!
In my time I’ve observed new generations and the changes that come along. I’ve myself have worked at communicating in a different language, comprehending the ever evolving IT world and such – always loving each of them.  I’ve certainly proved that love wins every time and learned something new almost every day.

But… at the same time, I’ve proved that God’s word is relevant in every generation! People everywhere need God. They need…

• Forgiveness
• Purpose in life
• A dream and
• A relationship with Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord!

And so I’ve worked with my generation in my church and community, and prayed for today’s younger generation, cheering them on.

And why the younger generation?

I believe that some of today’s generation will make their mark for God in the fulfilling of the Matthew 28 great commission among all nations.

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Dr George Forbes was internationally recognised as a missionary spokesperson with a heart for the lost of the nations. With a wealth of missionary knowledge and a unique ability to communicate the global picture, he was widely known as the ‘storyteller.’
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