 |
| Evangelist Paul Michael engaging in CSR in the mission field in Nassrawa state, Nigeria. |
We cannot deny the fact that we live in a time when wrong has become the norm, causing souls to perish. The laborers are few for the great harvest. At this time, laborers aren't restricted to a specific age. Seeing young ones as missionaries in the mission field is rare. This comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles. To gain insight into the experiences of a young minister on the mission field, Teens For Christ's Shenayon Elisha sat down with Evangelist Paul Michael in an exclusive interview. With a heart for missionary work and a passion for serving others, Evangelist Paul Michael shares his experiences, challenges, and triumphs as a young minister on the mission field. Excerpts:
When did you start being a missionary?
Have been a Missionary since May 2021, but before then have been into mission even as a campus missionary which I was a campus' missionary coordinator of my campus of a mission organization called Student mission organization
Were you convinced to start being a missionary, or was it a personal calling?
It was a personal calling
When you told your parents about becoming a missionary, how did they receive the news?
At first it was challenging, I remember my first long time mission to relocate to Ogbomoso, my father said he has nothing to do with me or having contribute to my life and many more. Regardless of the struggles I still went to the mission field. The passion inside me was something else I want without feeling bad or somehow though, i know will face the certain things that comes with such statement but I knew the will be fine and I have been living by faith.
Has there been pressure from your family to stop the mission work?
Not really, but must time, one of them will say I should for work for salary and other word like that but it been seven years now and they now see that is God will for me, they don't argue too much with me again
How has your experience been so far?
It's have been awesome, from village to village, different communities, impacting lives and this have been giving me joy, hoping to do more because it have been awesome experience
Have you faced death or life-threatening situations as a missionary?
Most of the time, escape from accidents, going to dangerous places where the Lord has shown His mercies through me. He has been preserving me. I go through some deadly places where you see houses where they tell you herdsmen just shot guns.
Ok, there was one that happened to me when I was just leaving the market, like this, not more than a few minutes. Some people came to attack the market, and two people were killed. That same market where I sat, I bought something; in fact, I drank Coke in the market, same place, same location—not the big market—and I just left and went to the mission field for a crusade somewhere. I heard that they attacked the place and people were killed. So, you know, God has saved me in different accidents, sometimes on the road, you know, many things like that, scenarios like that.
Have you been threatened or harassed while working in the mission field?
You know, going to some places to preach, and you know they came and told you not to preach and explained embarrassment, assault, and insulting words. Family invites you to come and pray for them, preach the gospel, and the husband will come and, you know, say all manner of rubbish to you, insulting words to you and the rest like that. So those are the little harassments in the field we've experienced once, but it's just a minor thing; it's not too strong like that.
Have you had any encounters with demonic forces or spiritual warfare in the mission field?
There are everywhere, mission field is a place where it is more demonic, because there you will find idol worshippers, most of them masquerade, do charms and all manner of things.
In fact if you are a missionary, and you are not strong, there is a general attack of sickness that happens to many people on their legs and some spend years, money to treat and heal from the sickness.
Also, there are spiritual warfare, demonic forces in the mission field that you will encounter even the one you can't see physically that comes spiritually.
Mission field is a battle field, a battle ground that deals with a lot of things but by the help of the Holy spirit we will overcome every force and the Lord has been my guide to the glory of God.
Have you ever felt like stopping or quitting being a missionary?
When challenges weigh us down sometimes, we think through somethings happening around us, and the rest in the mission field.
You will think of certain things that makes one feel like quitting, but most times, the Lord renews our strength and enable us to keep pushing and keep shooting.
It is normal that such thought will come across your path, especially being a rural missionary is not an easy tax; is it the work you left? is it the family? is days that you desire to eat? is it leaving your place of comfort? and not sleeping in desired places and so on.
But God has been seen and made true, this is our testimony and surely He is with us, and He has proven Himself that He sent me specifically on this assignment and He has been faithful that is all I can say.
What have been your greatest joyful moments in the mission field?
Every time is a joyous moment, especially when I go out for crusade and outreaches or evangelism, I will feel an inner peace and joy within.
Do you have any humorous or funny moments to share from the mission field?
Not really, but I can say that when I was in the field, I told someone I would soon be leaving. The person asked when I would come back, and I said after one or two years. The next day, I heard that the person was very sick. When I said I was joking and that I wasn't going anywhere, the person laughed.
What message would you give to people to encourage them to support missionaries?
What I can say is that missionaries need support to push the work, because its not just an easy task. It's not an easy task for missionaries to leave their homes, resign from their jobs, leave their comfort zones, and come to the mission field. Most of the time, they worry about what to eat, the resources they need to push the work, and how to cater for their families. Sincerely, missionaries need help, but they are often busy, and people don't understand. I once faced a challenge where I needed lighting, and I reached out to people about this need, but to no avail. We can't do salaried jobs like others; we still cater for ourselves and our families, trusting God for resources and asking people to support us, yet we receive insults from people. It's painful, but those are the things we face as missionaries. It's a great commission, and we are heeding the voice of our Lord. We tell people, if you can't go to interior places, do everything in your capacity to support missionaries. Even when I wasn't in the mission field, I sent support to missionaries in Cross River and other places because I know what they face, and I know it's not easy.
If you would like to support the man of God in the mission field, please consider donating through the following account: Account Number: 8076401589 Bank: Moniepoint. Thank you for your generosity!
The Lord Strengthen His Servant 🔥
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDelete