What a joy to celebrate missions and the great contribution and example of Adoniram Judson! Jeffrey MacDonald in his article, “As missionary movement turns 200, questions for the future” gives us a glimpse of the past and suggests that we re-examine how we do missions in the future. Having been a missionary in the Philippines under International Mission Board appointment for 8.5 years and now as founder and president of Sports & Rec Plus, a worldwide Christian ministry, may I make an observation or two?

Around paragraph 11, it mentions a new trend of sending money instead of missionaries from America. My experience says this builds dependency and fosters resentment between the pastors who are getting the financial support and those who are not. Second, sending money slows down the work because the next batch of national pastors/church planters will not want to go out and plant a church until they, too, can get money from an overseas church or donor. Finally, sending money takes the responsibility away from the local group of believers to support their church planter and church planting. It can make us feel good but does little to help.

Maybe the best thing we can do might be to go and help them set up their own Home Mission Board and help them raise local support to reach their own country with the gospel. This is not to release us of any responsibility, but to help them become self-supporting in missions.

Rick Mitchell, Mine Road, Va.

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