Going Solo – Addressing the Myth of the Solitary Missionary Hero

A common missionary stereotype is a courageous single man hacking through the jungle with a machete, bringing the gospel to tiny hidden villages of indigenous people. That may have been a common expression a hundred years ago. Going solo as a missionary is not, however, the biblical example.

Let‘s look at two examples of missionaries from the Bible – Jesus and Paul. Both of them were outstanding in fruitful ministry, and fulfilling God’s call on their lives.

Did Jesus & Paul Embrace Going Solo?

During his ministry years, Jesus gathered disciples He lived and worked with. That was how He trained and later commissioned them to go and do as He had done. Having a team was a priority to Jesus. Forming that team was His first action after being baptized (Jn 1).

Paul also worked in teams. If we read the end of Romans 16, we see a list of his many coworkers.

What type of teams did they have?

In a word: Diverse!

Often we are more comfortable with teams of people similar to ourselves. Jesus and Paul had very different people in their teams.

1. There were men and women.

Despite cultural divisions between men and women, both Paul and Jesus had them on their teams. Between the sexes our relationships should be honoring, pure, and loving. Our world desperately needs to see healthy, non-sexualized, loving relationships between men and women.

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”

Luke 8:1-3 NIV

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you…. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.”

Romans 16:3-6, 12 NIV

2. There were old people and young people.

Sometimes we only want people who are mature on our teams. Young people can be seen as a liability. They may make a mess, quit, or do not know how to do things. However, both Paul and Jesus had many young ones on their teams.

We see in Mt. 17, Jesus and Peter needed to pay the temple tax. at that time, only men over twenty had to pay. It appears that the other disciples were exempt from payment, and so probably still in their teens.

Paul writes: “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.” Romans 16:13 NIV. Timothy was also a young man- younger than the members of the church he was meant to be leading.

3. There were people from different backgrounds.

In His close team, Jesus had fishermen, a zealot, a tax collector, and Phillip – a Jew with a Greek name. They came from different social groups. Some were townspeople, others from the seaside, and Nathaniel liked sitting under fig trees. When we have a diverse group we need to work much harder at communication and finding common ground.

Our diversity reflects that character of God. We have the opportunity to live in unity that is founded on being one in Christ rather than one in culture.

Paul’s team was multi-ethnic and multi-lingual.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus..Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia…. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys…. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord… Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.”

Romans 16:3, 5, 9, 11-12, 15, 23 NIV

These are the names of Jews, Greeks, Romans, and Asians. They also came from diverse backgrounds, and levels of society – prisoners, tent makers, and city officials.

Reflecting the God-Head or Going Solo

Why does God want us to work indiverse teams?

It is a reflection of Himself. He is One God, and yet Three- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is love. God is team. The Triune God demonstrates unity in diversity.

How does your current team reflect that diversity?

Are there changes you could make to be more inclusive of those older or younger, of other genders, cultural backgrounds, or worldviews?

We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook Group.

*this blog post was written by R.M.