Therefore, Go. Following the voice of God

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

This verse is so familiar, I have read it since my youth days and our youth advisor kept emphasizing the need to share the Gospel and to make disciples.

At that time, he challenged the youths to share the Gospel at least once a week. He took us to the Toa Payoh Gardens to do witnessing which was permissible in the 1970s. We were encouraged when people were willing to stop what they were doing and listened to our sharing but politely declined to accept Jesus Christ at that moment. Nevertheless, we were practicing how to share the Gospel, and the more we did it, we became less fearful and more at ease with sharing the Gospel.

So, I do want to challenge all of you to share the Gospel when the divine moment presents itself and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to do it with boldness and confidence. He will give you the words to share.

In my travels to visit missionaries in the field from 2016 to 2019, God has provided many divine moments for me to share the Gospel in the plane, in the speed train and in buses. Most recently, when my HDB flat was undergoing the “Home Improvement Project” I had the opportunity to share with two neighbours at the void deck.  Be prepared to share the Gospel any time, in season and out of season, wherever you are.

In a Creative Access Nation, God gave opportunities for Fah Yong and  I to share the gospel and to disciple young believers in the local church,  university students and working adults. We served in that country for five years and discipling these Christians brought so much joy. It is truly a privilege to be used by God to fulfil the Great Commission.

Back in Singapore, we disciple and mentor potential missionaries, walking alongside them as they prepare themselves for the field. We journeyed with a couple with two young children from 2018 to early 2021. They are preparing to leave for the field in the first quarter of 2022. Presently, I am mentoring a young lady who will be leaving for the field in two years’ time. I am excited that young people are willing to give up the stability and the creature comfort of Singapore to follow the call of Jesus to missions. We continue to talk to adults of different ages who have shown interest in missions, especially after the FOMOS Mission Conference in October 2021. FOMOS means Fellowship of Missional Organisations in Singapore.

As I reflect, I am thankful I took early retirement to go into missions and I have never looked back. I am in mission and will always be in mission. It is such an enriching and meaningful experience! I would have missed all the immeasurable blessings from God if  I have continued to be teacher till retirement and not obey God’s call into the mission field. Missions widened my horizon and we have made friends with people of different nations and continually learning to appreciate our differences and celebrate our uniqueness in Christ.

I want to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, to look beyond self, commit to serve the Lord and fulfil the Great Commandment and the Great Commission he has mandated for every believer. Seek the Lord, follow His will and obey Him. Live a life of obedience to His call. He is faithful to the end. Will you obey God?

By sister Josephine Yue