By Brad Harrub
Having looked into the tearful eyes of parents whose children have abandoned the Faith, I have learned there are a million miles between our children “going through the motions” in reference to their spiritual lives versus our children possessing hearts that dictate their actions. In this column, I plan to share with you what I hope to instill in the hearts of my own children and those whom I love. 
What drives an individual to want to pack up all of their belongings and move overseas and work in primitive conditions? Most individuals cannot imagine giving up the thought of having a Wal Mart less than five miles away, much less living without daily hot showers. And yet, all over the world are individuals who want nothing more than to preach and teach the Word of God. Missionaries. These are individuals who have devoted their lives to taking the Gospel to areas in which the church is weak. These individuals look at the great commission put forth by Jesus Christ and they literally “go”: “’Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” 
Sadly, for many Christians in the United States, the only true interaction they have with mission work is when someone comes to their local congregation to deliver a mission report. Others sum up their mission experience by writing a check for whoever is currently listed as missionaries on their church bulletin. Mission work is often viewed as something “they” do. Well, who exactly is the “they” and does it include “me?” 
Here’s what I intend to teach my children regarding mission work. 
I’ll never forget a devotional that someone led during one of my very first mission trips. While I don’t remember the individual who led the devo, his message has remained with me. He used the text from Luke 17:10, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” His major point in that devotional was that the mission workers on that campaign shouldn’t be patting themselves on the back, because ultimately we were just doing what we are commanded to do. It totally transformed the way I look at mission work. It’s our duty. 
You all know that your mom and I put a high value on mission work—both foreign and domestic. We are thankful to be able to support several works and have some dear friends who serve as missionaries. Most of you had a passport before you could walk, as our family would journey off together on mission campaigns. (We still love looking at those early passport photos.) Early on, as we were starting the work of Focus Press we committed to doing at least one mission campaign per year as a way to give back, for all that the Lord has blessed our family with. It is our prayer that you will follow in our footsteps and support mission work both financially and physically. No matter what your “career” ends up being, you are still expected to be a missionary and servant for God. 
One of the biggest obstacles most people have for doing mission work is the rough conditions—whether that be India, Africa, or even being isolated and alone in some New England state. I pray that you never find yourself so married to “stuff” that you are unwilling to “go.”  Work hard to embrace Isaiah’s attitude when he said,  “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8). When an opportunity presents itself don’t look for excuses not to go—rather look for reasons why you should! As you start thinking about your life and how you might get involved in mission areas, let me first encourage you to inspect your heart—and make sure you are doing it for the right reason. Mission work is all about Him, and spreading His Word.  
Over and over, Scripture remind us of the importance to spread the good news (which by the way, if you really view it as Good News then you will be more willing to share it!), [See Luke 24:47, Mark 16:15, Acts 13:47, Acts 20:24, etc.]. There are many ways this is carried out. Some missionaries, take up permanent residence in an area to preach and teach. This is a major commitment in which the individuals spend years in a foreign place. Others conduct short-term missions to specific areas—often going to the same area multiple times. And still others use various forms of media (e.g., radio, print, television) to help spread the Word. I encourage you to get involved in some of these various forms of mission work. Find a work that you are passionate about and devote some time, money, and energy to that work! Do not be satisfied with just sitting in the pew. There is a lady who is eighty years old and still jumps on a plane at least 1-2 times per year to do overseas mission work. Don’t make excuses—make it happen! 
Occasionally individuals will judge mission works based on numbers. I think you have been on enough mission campaigns to know the danger in that. In some areas it is easy to baptize individuals by the hundreds—but how many of those remain faithful? In other areas you have to work extremely hard for every single soul! If you ever make it about “numbers” alone then mission work becomes more like a business. What if the apostles only went to cities where they could get the biggest return on their time investment? 
Finally, when it comes to mission work I want you to remember that someone loved your dad (and mom) enough to take the time to teach me the Truth. We, in turn, took the time to teach you all. Now continue the tradition—teach others about Him.  
Love, Dad