BACK TO THE FUTURE: BI-VOCATIONAL MISSIONS

In the last 200 years, missions was carried out mainly by full-time missionaries supported by churches. Doors to most countries were open as the West dominated much of the world.

But the global scene has changed after WWII. Today, 90% of those yet to be reached by the gospel live in the 10/40 Window, where most countries are closed to missionaries for religious or political reasons. Missions agencies are also discovering that more and more young people are reluctant to fundraise but eager to use their profession to serve overseas.

In the mid-1990s, we began sending bi-vocational workers. As we study Scripture and church history, we realize that the bi-vocational model of integrating work and witness is truly “back to the future.”

A 4,000-Year Tradition

Many Old Testament prophets had secular work. Deborah was a judge. Elisha was a farmer. Amos was a shepherd and fig grower. When Joseph and Daniel became top government officials in gentile courts, they made the God of Israel known throughout ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Persia. And it was a nameless slave girl in Naaman’s household who was instrumental in making the God of Israel famous in Syria.

Paul the Tentmaker

As a pioneer church planter, Paul received gifts from very few churches (Phil. 4:14–15). He supported himself as a tentmaker, not only during his 18 months in Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:3), but also on his first and third journeys (2 Thess. 3:6–10; Acts 20:34–35).

The Moravian Model

The Moravians, who launched the modern Protestant missionary movement in 1732, were self-supporting tradespeople and artisans. Their skills in carpentry, farming, tailoring, etc. enabled them to make a living wherever they went, and make natural contacts among the local people. They also passed their skills to their converts, enabling them to contribute to the local economy as valued members of their community. This marriage of work and witness is a key to the success of the Bhojpuri Church Planting Movement in Northeast India where over 10 million disciples have been baptized since in the 1990s. All their leaders are encouraged to be bi-vocational to support themselves and survive in a hostile environment.

WILLIAM CAREY: THE QUINTESSENTIAL TENTMAKER

William Carey arrived in India in 1792 when missionary work was restricted by the powerful East India Company, an opium-trading empire. Carey’s employment at an indigo plantation gave him legal residency. In 1801, he became Professor of Bengali and Sanskrit at Fort William College where British officers were trained. That role provided opportunities to engage with government officials, intellectuals, and religious leaders. For 30 years, Carey’s salary also supported his family and ministries.

Church Planting, Bible Translation, & Educational Initiatives

Carey saw his first convert in 1800. Over his lifetime, he planted 26 churches and, in collaboration with Indian scholars, translated the Bible into more than 40 Indian languages and dialects.

He also founded schools—including schools for girls—and Serampore College, one of the first universities in India, which has produced generations of Christian leaders for India’s church and society and is still operating today.

Advancing Science, Technology & the Economy

Carey established one of India’s first modern printing presses. He published the Bible, the first Bengali newspaper, a monthly scientific magazine, and more than 200,000 books on subjects ranging from agriculture to astronomy, which was important in countering the superstition of astrology. His son Felix also translated scientific works into Bengali.

Carey introduced the steam engine to India and encouraged its local production. He also introduced savings banks to combat India’s pervasive usury that hindered economic development.

Reforms To End Sati and Other Social Evils

Working with the British parliament, colonial officials, Brahmin princes, Indian intellectuals and media, Carey spearheaded social reforms, abolishing sati (widow burning), infant offering to the Ganges, and other oppressive customs. In 1992, the Indian government issued a commemorative stamp in honor of the 200th anniversary of his arrival in India.

TIMOTHY RICHARD: HOLISTIC MISSIONS IN CHAOTIC TIMES

Shortly after Timothy Richard arrived in China, the North China Famine (1876-79) claimed over 10 million lives. His effective coordination of relief efforts—working with Chinese officials, international resources and local networks—won him access to senior government officials and opened regions previously closed to Christian work.

Richard believed that as a missionary he must concern himself with everything affecting the well-being of the Chinese. Church historian Kenneth Scott Latourette gave an account of Richard’s missiology that the kingdom of God should be established not only in the hearts of men, but also “in all institutions on earth, for the salvation of man, body and soul, now and hereafter,” and that “it is treason against God to despise efforts at material, intellectual, social, and political welfare and call them secular rather than sacred.” While one may not agree entirely with Richard, his holistic approach was effective and praiseworthy.

Training Evangelists & Church Planters

Richard did not overlook evangelism and church-planting. His success in training local Chinese workers resulted in significant church growth in Shandong and inspired John Nevius, an American Presbyterian. The “Nevius Method” that evolved was credited with much of the spectacular growth of the Korean Church.

Befriending Government Leaders

Richard believed that befriending China’s leaders would facilitate the advancement of the gospel. He built relationships with top Chinese officials and successfully influenced their views toward Christianity and western ideas. He encouraged them to send government leaders and members of the imperial family to visit the West. This opened the door for the study of science and the concept of modern university education to China.

His influence led to greater freedom for missionary work. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, officials, whom Richard befriended, quietly protected missionaries across the country.

Promoting Reform

As chief editor of the leading newspaper Tianjin Times, Richard introduced the success of Japan’s reforms that led to modernization and industrialization. His writings deeply influenced reformists like Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao.

In 1898, Emperor Guangxu launched the Hundred Days’ Reform and made Richard his advisor. Unfortunately, these efforts were crushed when Qing Empress Dowager Cixi staged a reactionary coup.

China is a different world today. Despite fluctuating policies on religious freedom, some Chinese Christians are asking how they might learn from Timothy Richard’s example of working with the government to serve society and advance the gospel. There are relevant applications for missions today as many unreached nations have similar social and spiritual needs.

LESSONS FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE

Missions must be rooted in a thoughtful integration of the Great Commandment of serving our neighbors and the Great Commission of sharing God’s love with them.

This principle applies to daily life for all of us, observing that the Lord gave us the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:36-40), six chapters before the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

Missionary work through education, technology, business, healthcare, social service, etc. must not be a cover or mere platform for religious activity. Authentic missional professionals who make genuine contributions through their life and work will be effective witnesses of God’s love anywhere in the world.

In response to God’s assignment, we can be senders or goers for the cause of missions. Called to be local or global bi-vocational witnesses, let us give our best to the Lord to be the most dedicated servants we can be.

Carey’s motto “Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God” continues to inspire Christians in all walks of life today.

Carey and Richard are rare geniuses and heroes of faith. Few of us will accomplish even a fraction of what they did in our lifetime. But many Christ followers, young and old, dedicate themselves to missions every year. Multiplied by thousands, ordinary believers can collectively achieve much.

The work of missions is never easy. Faith stretches us. Setbacks and disappointments are part of the journey. But in 35 years, GLS has witnessed how ordinary people, responding in faith and obedience, have experienced the extraordinary grace of God as they become part of something far greater than they ever imagined.

YOUR RESPONSE

Contact us if you are interested in exploring how you could use your professional skills to serve in missions. Based on your skill set, stage of life, family and personal circumstances, interest and availability, we can help you discover opportunities for

• long-term service (2 or more years)
• short-term projects (1 week to a year)
• digital mission (remote work from home)

Contact us at explore@goliveserve.org