A Call To Missions

The “Great Commission” was not the Great Suggestion.  As believers we are all called to be a missionary. The last words that Jesus said to the 11 disciples are recorded in the Book of Matthew, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:18-19 HCSB)

The “Calling” for Paul Jones, Pastor of Court Drive Church of Christ has be a lifelong commitment. Paul was born in South Africa and was led to Christ in 1974 by a missionary from the United States. After serving 5 years in the South African. Air Force God called him into missions. Attending Bible College in South African in what he calls his “Missional” calling. From South Africa his missional calling for Christ took him to Russia, Saipan and the Ukraine. In 1999 he felt his calling leading him to the United States. He moved to White Hall, Arkansas. During his time there God expanded the local churches outreach in the local community and to Zimbabwe and Guyana. Paul witnessed as God richly blessed the church membership and those who heard the Good News.

In 2002 his missional journey took him to Lafayette, Louisiana to the Riverside Church. The local work was so rewarding and grew at such an outrageous pace both in the United States and foreign mission field that the church made two trips to India, two to Russia, three to Mexico and four trips to Zimbabwe. The work in Zimbabwe was so welcomed that their focus remained there.

In 2006, God led him to Palestine where as pastor of Court Drive Church of Christ. Form this base congregation a medical clinic has been built in Plumtree, Zimbabwe, 17 new congregations have been established. Paul says that “The missional call that burns deep within me is the motivation and drive that empowers me to fulfill the Great Commission.  Paul quotes a past instructor, Les Massey, who said, “Paul, being a disciple is only part of God’s plan. Making disciples that make disciples that is Gods calling. In Paul’s 30 years of ministry he has lived out those words. He has led 5 missionary trips and 18 evangelical/medical mission trips with local doctors and nurses back to South Africa. These mission trips are non-denominational in nature. Anyone wishing to serve Christ on the South African mission field is encourage to contact the church office. 903-729-0196

Paul lives each day with the calling that God gave him many years ago. Each one of us are called to be missionaries. It might not be within our ability to attend a mission trip to foreign soil but we can live out the Great Commission here in Palestine. Act 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, (Palestine) in all Judea (Anderson County) and Samaria (Texas), and to the ends of the earth (Prayers).” (emphasis added)These words tell us to reach outside the walls of our church and think “lateral”. To “Go” not to “Come and See” that is our commission. So the next time you see your co-worker, friends, cashiers or the stranger on the street, ask them a simple question, “Do you have a church home?” The Holy Spirit will take over from there. Trust me.