Passing the Baton

"A native preacher can reach his own people a hundred times more effectively than can a missionary using an acquired language."

This quote, found in the January 1929 edition of The Other Sheep, struck me greatly. It makes sense, seems logical enough. It's no secret that one of the hardest aspects of foreign missions is crossing cultural gaps, especially that of language barriers. In her book, Evangelical Christians in the Muslim Sahel, Dr. Barbara Cooper, highlights the difficulties faced by missionaries who are attempting to cross into a Muslim culture. The language is different. The understandings on life are different. Nothing is similar. Throughout the entire book, Cooper is showcasing the ignorance of many missionaries regarding the culture in which they find themselves. I found it interesting that the one pastor she spoke of with high regard was a native pastor. She seemed to greatly appreciate his understanding of that particular culture and his ability to speak into that culture. This native had a far greater impact on his people because he understood them in a way a foreigner cannot. This begs the question, why foreign missions? I believe the answer can be found in a relay race. 

In a relay, there is a starter who begins with baton, it is this athlete's job to give her team a head start by running very quickly with the baton. However, the starter cannot carry the baton forever; it must be passed off. This baton must be carried to the closer who must also be very fast as it is his job to make sure his team finishes first. Foreign missionaries may be the starters, but that baton must be passed. It must make it to the native workers who are able to reach their people at such a greater level. As I read this edition of The Other Sheep, I was struck by how the early Nazarene missionaries fully understood this concept. Article after article spoke of native preachers who were making great advances for the Kingdom of God. Each one of these mentions were filled with pride not unlike that of a parents when their child scores a winning goal. These missionaries understood that they could not depend on their own abilities to reach these nations; they needed the help of the natives. An article regarding foreign missions in Africa detailed the medical work being done. Time after time, the author spoke of the importance of the native workers in this endeavor. Missions must be a team effort. As Cooper illustrates, foreign missionaries can never hope to fully understand another culture. They will always struggle with attempting to present the gospel unless they learn to work closely with natives who are able to understand where the people are coming from. Yes, foreign missions is important, for it begins the race, but if the baton is not passed, the relay cannot be completed.