Fellow Helpers to the Truth

When you think of the Air Force, you probably think of pilots. You can probably envision
men and women scurrying up ladders, sliding into cockpits, closing canopies, and launching
into the sky. And when you think of missions, you probably think of missionaries. You probably envision
them selling their possessions, visiting churches, packing their bags, and heading off to the field to which
God has called them.
Did you know, however, that only 4% of the US Air Force personnel are pilots who scurry up ladders and
launch into the sky? Did you know that 96% of the people who make up “the largest, the most technologically
evolved, and the most powerful air fleet in the world” never sit in a cockpit? They bring a very different set
of skills and labor to “the world’s premiere aerospace force”.
This is also true of the Lord’s missionary force. Only about 7% of evangelical Christians pack their bags
and head out to serve as missionaries (i.e. those who are called by God and sent by their church to serve in
places beyond the normal reach of their local church’s ministry). The vast majority of God’s missionary force
do not “go” but rather serve as senders and supporters. This is a critical but often misunderstood and under
appreciated role in missions.
The apostle John told one of the early churches, “Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking
nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth” (3
John 7-8). Paul continually gave thanks to God for the Philippian church and their “fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:5).
During our years in Indonesia, our family and ministry thrived, and a big part of that was due to the tremendous
support we received from churches “back home”. We had sufficient financial support to do everything
we needed to do (and usually even more than we needed). We had regular, encouraging communication
from churches and church members, including emails, text messages, calls and video chats. Our sending
church leadership and members visited our field multiple times. We had long-term mentors who spent time
with us in our village. We had a prayer team of over 100 people who regularly and eagerly prayed for the
ministry and our family. We had people who printed, folded and mailed our newsletters. We had a CPA who
freely helped with our taxes. We often received packages with “tastes from home”. When we returned on
furlough our sending church secured phones, a vehicle, warm clothes, and other items that we would need
stateside. And this list could go on and on.
The main point is that there were literally hundreds and hundreds of “fellow helpers” involved in the ministry
taking place deep in the heart of the world’s second largest rain forest. Not only did that keep us refreshed
and encouraged and help make the gospel available to a remote tribe of people, but it also gave each of those
“fellow helpers” a tangible way to be involved in God’s work in a place far from their home.
Both missionaries and churches need to experience that “fellowship in the gospel”. Just as the Air Force
is comprised of thousands and thousands of airmen, both in the sky and on the ground, with a single purpose,
the Lord’s churches have a wide diversity of people with single commission. And the small percentage
of people who are called and sent to go and serve in new places need an army of “fellow helpers” praying,
encouraging, helping, supporting, and enabling them to “Go… and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
[he has] commanded [us]”.

Chase Reynolds