Missions

What exactly does "mission" mean? Like a good graduate student, I looked it up online at Websters and this is the definition that was given : a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work b : assignment to or work in a field of missionary enterprise c (1) : a mission establishment (2) : a local church or parish dependent on a larger religious organization for direction or financial support d plural : organized missionary work e : a course of sermons and services given to convert the unchurched or quicken Christian faith.

Have you ever felt like less of a person, or worse, less of a Christian when talking about mission work? Jennifer and I were talking earlier tonight about the Truett team that is in Kenya/Rwanda on mission. I know that she didn't mean it like I took it, but for some reason I felt like a horrible Christian because my heart hadn't been led to Kenya. Please don't misunderstand, my heart breaks just as much as anyone else when talking about AIDS in Africa, however, I don't feel the pull in my ministry to Kenya or to work with any type of mission of that nature. I don't know and it's kindof hard to explain, but for some reason, I felt like I wasn't a "complete" Christian.

I've had a difficult time with this. Can my mission not be exactly where I am at? I always believed that my mission was exactly where God has put me? Must I really travel half-way across the world to be on mission? I never believed that way the case. I was taught growing up that certain people are called to missions and some aren't. I understand that in some way, we are all called to missions, but again, must I travel to Africa to do it? I applaude the team and their efforts with the people of Africa. I am so thankful that someone has the heart and the passion to go. Must I go also?