A few weeks ago our church had its missions conference, and I had planned some time since then to post some favorite missions quotes and poems. For various reasons I hadn’t done it yet — and decided to do so today:

Away in foreign lands they wondered how
Their simple words had power.
At home the Christians, two or three,
Had met to pray an hour.
Yes, we are always wondering, wondering how–
Because we do not see
Someone — perhaps unknown and faraway —
On bended knee.

–Author unknown

The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.
—Henry Martyn – Missionary to the Muslims of Persia and India

I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages — villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world. — Robert Moffat

I am ready to burn out for God. I am ready to endure any hardship, if by any means I might save some. The longing of my heart is to make known my glorious Redeemer to those who have never heard. — William Burns

Scores of casks! And only one missionary!;
Mary Slessor, (1848-1915)Pioneer Scottish missionary to Calabar, part of what is now Nigeria. She made this observation in August, 1876 while boarding a ship at Liverpool that was busy loading casks of spirits for West Africa.

When you think of the woman’s power, you forget the power of the woman’s God. I shall go on.
Mary Slessor, upon being told by a local African chief that it was foolish and dangerous for her, a woman, to travel inland to intervene between warring tribes.

We must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God — John Stott

It is the whole business of the whole church to preach the whole gospel to the whole world.– Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s part is to put forth power; our part is to put forth faith. — Andrew A. Bonar

The church that does not evangelize will fossilize.– Oswald J. Smith

God is not looking for a certain IQ.
He is looking for a certain “I Will”.
– Sid Messer

When I came to see that Jesus Christ had died for me, it didn’t seem hard to give up all for Him. It seemed just common, ordinary honesty.
—C. T. Studd (1860-1931)

Send us people with initiative, who can carry themselves and others too; such as need to be carried hamper the work and weaken those who should be spending their strength on the heathen. Weaklings should be nursed at home! If any have jealousy, prides, or talebearing traits lurking about them, do not send them, nor any who are prone to criticize. Send only Pauls and Timothys; men who are full of zeal, holiness and power. All others are hindrances. If you send us ten such men the work will be done. Quantity is nothing; quality is what matters.
FORWARD EVER; BACKWARD,NEVER!
—C.T. Studd – Missionary to China, India, and Africa

Don’t send a lamp to the mission field that will not burn at home.—Unknown

Not one person in the world needs Jesus Christ less than you do.– Unknown

Sympathy is no substitute for service.—Unknown

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for. — Charles Spurgeon

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you are alive, it isn’t.— Richard Bach

How often do we attempt to work for God to the level of our incompetency rather than to the limit of God’s omnipotency.—Hudson Taylor

We have a base man-pleasing disposition, which will make us let men perish lest we lose their love, and let them go quietly to hell, lest we should make them angry with us for seeking their salvation: and we are ready to venture on the displeasure of God, and risk the everlasting misery of our people, rather than draw on ourselves their ill-will.—Richard Baxter

I marvel…how I can let men alone in their sins, and that I do not go to them, and beseech them, for the Lord’s sake, to repent, however they may take it, and whatever pains or trouble it may cost me!— Richard Baxter

A Missionary Appeal

There are times when the enemy seems to prevail
And faintness creeps over the heart,

When courage and confidence quiver and quail
At the glance if his fiery dart.

There are times when, exhausted, we can but stand still,
The sword-arm hangs nerveless and numb;

Oh, then to the soul comes a whisper so chill;
“Are they weary of praying back home?”