The gift that launched a ministry

4 minute read

In 1876, our founders George and Jane Pearse were exploring their call to work among poor communities in Algeria.

That was the role that God had given them: the role of mission worker. They knew that they would need others to partner with them in their ministry for it to thrive. To that end, the Lord gave Dr H. Grattan Guinness his own role in this ministry: the role of supporter.

The Pearses’ hearts had been stirred by the need among poor communities in Algeria, and Dr Guinness encouraged them to go and serve them in their need. As he encouraged them, he gave them a gift of one hundred pounds. The very first gift that launched a ministry that would later become AWM-Pioneers.

The role of supporter is integral to ministry

I often have the opportunity to talk to and get to know both ministry workers on the field and those who support them. What becomes clear in those conversations is that both of these groups have the same goal: they want Arab people to know Christ. The only difference is that God has called them into different roles to achieve this mission.

God called George and Jane Pearse to go to North Africa. He also had a very specific role for Grattan Guinness. In Dr Guinness’s obituary in the August/September 1910 issue of North Africa Magazine, it was written, ‘Humanly speaking, it seems probable that but for Dr. Guinness the N.A.M. would not have been founded. God worked through him to initiate the work and stand by it for a time.’

Whilst it is possible that God could have started this mission through someone else, or indeed by supernatural means, He chose to use Grattan Guinness to give the gift that launched a ministry.

The Lord has been giving His followers the role of supporter since New Testament times. Luke 8 and Acts 16 in particular come to mind. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna supported Jesus’ ministry out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3), and Lydia supported Paul and his companions by offering them somewhere to stay (Acts 16:13-15). Whilst these women may not have been the ones actively going and ‘doing’ ministry, they played the integral role of supporting those who were.

2 Corinthians chapter 9 has also been an encouragement to me as a supporter of ministry. In this chapter, Paul encourages the church in Corinth to support the Macedonians. He urges the Corinthians to partner with them, showing them that the role of supporter is so much more than simply giving money. As both work towards the same goal, there is a beautiful partnership between the supporter and those they are supporting, joining them both in the same mission, each playing a pivotal role. Paul highlights how supporting those in ministry also points us to God. It encourages both the supporter and those supported to give thanks to God for all they have, both bringing glory to His name as they continue with the ministry to which He has called them.

It is better to give than to receive

Cross-cultural mission workers are so grateful for the partnership they have with their supporters. Leah*, a cross-cultural worker in North Africa shared with her supporters:

‘I thank God for you before I sit down for a meal, as I ride in a taxi to language, as I buy fruit to take to a friend’s house for dinner. You and your sacrificial giving and petitions to the Father make this possible. Thank you. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.’

When thinking about mission to the Arab world, it’s easy to first think of those whom God has called to live among and actively share the gospel with Arab people. Mission workers have an incredibly important role to play in sharing the gospel, but without the financial and prayerful support of others, they would not be as fruitful in their ministry.

I truly believe that God gives us passions and giftings that help advance His Kingdom work. It may be that God is calling you to go overseas and serve among Arab people, like George and Jane Pearse. It may be that you are called to remain in your home country and support those in cross-cultural ministry, like Grattan Guinness. Wherever you feel called, if you have a passion for Arabs coming to know Christ, then you have a role to play in this ministry.

There are many ways that you can get involved in supporting the work of AWM-Pioneers, from giving financially, to praying, to spreading the word about mission in the Arab world. Whatever gifts God has given you, they can be used to support mission to Arab people.

*Name changed to protect identities.