A missionary writes about her field of service: “We have been forced to close some of our stations because of lack of funds and lack of missionaries. This is the cry everywhere today. The largest denominations—faced with a growing deficit in their missionary effort—will have to call home a great number of workers from the different fields next year. With all the luxury that we have, must the cause of Christ thus suffer loss?”

Although this sounds like it could have been written yesterday, this plea for help was penned in 1926 by Johanna Veenstra, a missionary to the Sudan. The statement appeared in a book she wrote describing her pioneer mission work in Africa.

Nearly 70 years later, the task of proclaiming the gospel is still as formidable and the need for helpers still as imposing. In fact, it has not changed since Jesus declared, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). He Himself started the work 2,000 years ago by sending out 12 men with the message of good news.

Going into all the world with the gospel is a never-ending task. Whether we go to the Sudan, travel to some other far-off place, or stay home, it is our task too.  — Dave Branon