Missionary Safety- Does it Matter?

Frontier missionaries are usually risk-takers. Courageous and bold, we go where others wouldn’t. We stay when others leave. Deep commitment to the task of reaching the lost motivates us to a life of sacrifice. What risks are unwise to take? Does missionary safety matter?

If you are a long-term missionary in a front-line context, you have probably asked yourself, “Am I willing to die for this?”

Martyrdom is not unheard of in our day and age. Persecution is increasing worldwide. Not long ago, the organization I work with, YWAM Frontier Missions, lost one of our best workers in a high mountain area of Central Asia. Just months before that John Chau, of All Nations, was killed in the Andaman islands.

Insights from a Friend

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing insights on this important topic. These came out of conversations, and the writing of my college friend Joe Malhoit. Joe worked for the last twenty years for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent. He specialized in white-collar crime, child prostitution/exploitation, and domestic terrorism. Joe is also a dynamic Jesus follower with a passionate heart for missions.

Our safety does matter to God.

A Biblical Basis for Missionary Safety

Joe shared these scriptures and comments with me as we talked about the biblical basis for safety on the mission field.

1. Wisdom preserves life.

Ecclesiastes 7:12. “For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”

Good security is simply the application of wisdom to our daily lives.

2. Children (and their protection) is a priority to God.

Matthew 18:2-6, 10. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?…whoever receives one such child in my name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.”

Protecting children is a priority to God. Even their assigned angels are given a prominent place before God. This is an extremely strong warning to those who would do harm to children.

A difficult but important follow-up question for us is this. Are we harming them by not providing adequate protection?

3. In danger, we must be shrewd.

Matthew 10:16. “Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.”

We live in a fallen and sinful world, where there are those around us and even within our fellowships who will purposely do harm to others.

Staying Behind

Some years ago, when we were working in South Asia, there was a major conflict between two bordering nations. Threats of war…even nuclear war…were in the air. The US embassy ordered all citizens to leave the country.

We prayed about it and chose to stay. Ignoring the directive of your embassy is a serious decision to make. We had three small children at the time. Not only were we taking risks with our lives, but also with theirs.

Did we make the right choice? What would have caused us to make an alternative decision?

The situation calmed down after a few months and life went on as normal. It could, however, have ended quite differently.

We do not regret that decision and still believe we made the right choice. We are privileged to work in an organization that allows us to listen to God and do as He is directing, even if it means risks. In many organizations, leaders make those decisions for you.

Even more reason to consider these issues carefully.

Take Time to Consider

What do you think of the above scriptures? Are there others you have found helpful on this topic? Please share them with us in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.

Why not start a dialogue with your team about safety precautions? Use these scriptures as a starting point. In the next blog, I’ll share more of Joe’s suggestions for the kinds of actions we as missionaries can take to stay safe on the field.