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Key Bible Verse: How can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14). Bonus Reading:Romans 10:9–15

Earlier this year, Pentagon brass told a surprised public that air power alone couldn't win the war in Afghanistan. Since Desert Storm, we'd supposed we could bomb our way to victory unscathed. But the Taliban tide turned only after American soldiers put their feet on the Afghan desert. Nobody wins a war without getting up close and personal.

Ditto for missionary service. The church of Jesus Christ can't advance while we merely hover over the territory with our distance ministries. Eventually, somebody has to move into the culture and do the in-your-face work of incarnational ministry.

That doesn't play well in many congregations. We like zooming in and back out. Like laser-guided bombing runs, it is high on adrenaline and adventure. Nothing wrong with that. We need the contribution of short-termers, researchers, and prayers. But we mustn't entertain the misguided notion that long-distance alone will do the job.

The trouble is, between 1992 and 96, short-term missionary trips of two weeks to one year grew by 63 percent, those of one to four years increased by 28 percent, while long-term missionary efforts gained 1 percent.

—Gary Brumbelow in World Pulse

My Response: Have I endorsed a remote-control war?

Thought to Apply: The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be "Devoted for life."

—Adoniram Judson (missionary to Burma)

Adapted from World Pulse (Jan. 11/02) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father, You sent Your Son to our world for life. Grant me a similar commitment.

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