Hold the Rope: How to Support Missionaries Well
In 1793, a group of pastors pledged themselves to support William Carey as he sailed to India for the sake of the gospel. One of these pastors, Andrew Fuller, pictured the scene as if he were watching Carey descend into a gold mine of souls. “I will go down,” Fuller could imagine Carey saying, “but remember, you must hold the rope.”
Just like Carey, missionaries today need rope-holders: churches and Christians who devote themselves to supporting gospel partners in the work of the Great Commission. What does this support look like? We find a helpful model in the book of Philippians. By considering the ways the Philippian church supported Paul, we discover five ways churches can provide meaningful support to their missionaries today.
1. Maintain Concern
Acts 16 recounts the birth of the Philippian church through the ministry of the apostle Paul. Although his time there was brief, it bore great fruit, including a dear partnership with this infant congregation. Almost immediately, the believers in Philippi began supporting Paul as he preached the gospel in new cities (Philippians 4:15-16). Through the years, this partnership didn’t falter. Even when Paul’s ministry ground to a halt as he was detained in Jerusalem and later transported to Rome as a prisoner, the Philippians didn’t lose interest in their beloved apostle. They maintained their concern and continued to care for him. That’s why Paul could write more than 10 years after the church was planted, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. . .because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).
In our day, churches can struggle to maintain healthy partnerships with their missionaries. Distance tends to cool our affection for those we send out, while time diminishes our interest in the work that once filled us with excitement. When this happens, missionaries can feel discouraged and alone. That’s why one of the greatest ways churches can support their missionaries is simply by maintaining their concern for them year after year.
Don’t lose interest in your missionaries. Actively maintain your concern for them, even when the ministry seems to be less than exciting. If you do, you’ll soon discover how meaningful this concern will prove to the hearts of your partners (Philippians 4:10).
2. Persevere in Prayer
Paul loved prayer. He loved praying for others and he also rejoiced when others prayed for him. So, when the Philippians prayed for Paul, he expressed his joyful confidence that God would use their prayers in his life (Philippians 1:19).
Prayer is one of the primary ways churches care for their missionaries. It’s true, they may never hear the prayers you utter at your church services or around your dinner table on their behalf. But the King with all authority in heaven and on earth does hear, and He will use these prayers to accomplish His sovereign purposes for their lives. Your prayers matter. Don’t grow weary in praying for your missionaries.
One great example of a prayer partner was Carey’s sister, Polly. At the age of 25, a disease rendered Polly almost completely paralyzed. She remained confined to her room for more than 50 years, unable to walk or move. For 31 of those years, she was even unable to speak. The only way she could communicate was through writing, which caused her great physical pain. In spite of her affliction, Polly was not idle. Every day she prayed for her brother in India and wrote to him, assuring him of her prayers.
3. Communicate Regularly
Paul and the Philippians valued communication. At some point, the church learned of Paul’s imprisonment and his need for ongoing support. This knowledge led them to send Epaphroditus, one of their own members to the apostle (Philippians 2:25). Epaphroditus brought financial support from the church to Paul, and he also served as a messenger, sharing news from the congregation. Paul then wrote his letter to the Philippians and sent it back with Epaphroditus. In it, Paul encouraged the congregation in the faith and gave specific exhortations to individual members (Philippians 4:2-3). We see the importance of communication in this partnership—and all in a time without email and text messaging!
Regular communication is a vital component of your care for your gospel partners. Without communication, partnerships wither and die. You won’t know how to pray for or support those you sent out. Conversely, your missionaries will not know what is going on back home in the churches they dearly love. Healthy, regular communication fosters relationships and provides great encouragement to missionaries on the field.
What might this communication look like? Start by setting aside one day a month to email your missionaries, to let them know you are thinking of them and to ask how you can pray for them. And don’t forget to provide them with updates on your life as well. Missionaries love to hear how they can pray for their rope-holders.
4. Visit Personally
The Philippian church didn’t merely send a message or a financial gift to Paul. They sent a person (Philippians 2:25). Through Epaphroditus, the church ministered to Paul’s need and expressed their support, love, and affection.
One helpful way churches can support their gospel partners is by sending representatives from the congregation to visit them. These visits can be planned events, when your church wants to witness the work of your partners and encourage them in their labor. They can also be unplanned trips, like in an emergency when your partners unexpectedly need your help.
During our first year overseas, my wife and I walked through many dark days. In the midst of our struggles, two pastors from partnering churches came to visit us. For a week, these men listened as we shared our heartache, wept with us in our suffering, and strengthened our hearts in the Lord. That week remains one of the most precious gems of our entire service overseas.
5. Contribute Cheerfully
As a prisoner of the Roman Empire, Paul depended on support from others to survive. When the Philippian church heard of Paul’s circumstances, they joyously, graciously, and abundantly contributed to supply his needs (Philippians 4:17-18).
Missionaries are still a needy bunch of people. Their list of needs can range from monthly financial support to borrowing a car for several months while they visit America. Though varied, these needs are never random. Among other reasons, God ordains each one to give partners the opportunity to contribute to these needs and so increase the fruit of righteousness in their lives.
Missionaries can often feel embarrassed to bring up their needs repeatedly. Sometimes it seems like all they do is ask for help. Why not bless them by initiating the conversation and asking them how you can be a blessing to them? Then assure them of your love and care, and joyfully do what you can to help them. By contributing to these needs, you glorify God as you care for those who have been sent out for the sake of the name.
Conclusion
Carey served overseas in India for 41 years. As a result, the Bible was translated into dozens of languages, churches were established across the nation, and the Christian world was inspired to take up again the neglected task of the Great Commission. None of this would have happened had Carey had no one to hold the rope.
God still uses faithful churches and Christians to hold the ropes for missionaries today. Through common, ordinary means, missionaries receive support and help from gospel partners, which strengthens them as they proclaim the gospel around the world. What a glorious privilege to participate in this work!