Missionary Experiences from the Lord
“Several precious experiences were related by the canvassers in regard to the way in which they had searched their hearts while canvassing for Great Controversy and Patriarchs and Prophets. They said that as they read these books their minds were enlightened, and they felt that angels of God were very near… The canvassers stated that they had found that where these books had been sold, everyone spoke highly of them, and that from reading them, some had embraced the truth who had never heard a discourse in their lives given by a Seventh-day Adventist minister.” The Publishing Ministry, p. 356.
Only eternity will show how many souls came to the truth because of some little printed seed of truth that fell into their hands. I was found, first by a SDA colporteur, and then just at the key time, when I was searching for a church home and spiritual family, a volunteer canvasser from God’s church came by my door. I am so thankful for this that words can hardly express my gratitude.
“All who want an opportunity for true ministry, and who will give themselves unreservedly to God, will find in the canvassing work opportunities to speak upon many things pertaining to the future immortal life. The experience thus gained will be of the greatest value to those who are fitting themselves for the work of the ministry. It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God. As they cherish the thought that Christ is their companion, a holy awe, a sacred joy will be felt by them amid all the trying experiences and all their tests. They will learn how to pray as they work. They will become educated in patience, kindness, affability, and helpfulness, wherever they may be. They will practice true Christian courtesy, bearing in mind that Christ, their companion, will not approve of harsh, unkind words or feelings. Their words will be purified. The power of speech will be regarded as a precious talent, lent them to do a high and holy work. The human agent will learn how to represent the divine Companion with whom he is associated. To that unseen holy One, he will show respect and reverence because he is wearing His yoke, and learning His pure, holy ways. Those who have faith in this divine attendant will develop. They will be gifted with a power to clothe the message of truth with a sacred beauty.” T 6, p. 323
“Canvassers should be able to give instruction in regard to the treatment of the sick. They should learn the simple methods of hygienic treatment. Thus they may work as medical missionaries, ministering to the souls and the bodies of the suffering. This work should now be going forward in all parts of the world. Thus multitudes might be blessed by the prayers and instruction of God’s servants.” T 6, p. 324
With these inspired words as my guide, I would like to share some precious canvassing experiences that the Lord has shared with me:
Truly, we have come to this same time, as in many places of the developed world, that people are so negative about anything religious. Therefore as an entering wedge, the health reform message is perfectly adapted to the need. As I introduce the work as “practical mission work” in the neighborhood, the people can immediately see how practical it is because we offer drug addiction counseling, marriage and family counseling as well as natural remedies for anyone who is sick. I end the presentation by saying that it’s important to prevent things these days. We show people how to build up the immune system so a lot of these problems never happen in the first place. Usually the Christians recognize that we’re believers and respond positively; (have you noticed that even a lot of famous Christian preachers are starting to advocate healthier diets and life-styles?) and the unbelievers seem to be much more receptive due to our desire to be a practical help for them.
Recently, I have been privileged to get to know a dear SDA family that has some difficult health problems. Unfortunately, they did not have the instruction, in the nominal church, that was sufficient for them to avoid diabetes and cancer. The sister has just had a cancerous tumour removed and has been hit very hard emotionally. It’s not easy to go from being a healthy person to a sick person and there is definitely a process of grieving the loss of that former state of health. We have had some precious leading of the Holy Spirit in sharing with this family some simple natural remedies that they have already started to put into practice and benefit from. Praise the Lord that He is still healing broken bodies, hearts and souls.
On one occasion, I was canvassing in the Vancouver, Canada area and noticed an agitated young man across the street. He was uttering obscenities and blasphemies obviously directed at me. I guessed that Satan, who knew his kingdom was being assailed, had stirred up this teenager’s heart in anger against me. This reminded me of different occasions in the past when I had met outright Satan worshipers at the door who had told me openly who they worshiped. As a rule, on these occasions I would ask quietly: “why do you worship him who has already been conquered on the cross of Calvary? Jesus Christ gained the victory over Satan on the cross -why not worship Jesus, who is much more powerful, anyway?” Usually, this would cause looks of fear and anxiety to come over the faces of these poor, deluded souls. On this occasion in Vancouver, I believed this young man was stirred in anger by Satan against me so that I would stop canvassing there, because soon thereafter I found several Bible study contacts in that same area. Satan can only distract but not force-everyone who will overcome him will have found in Jesus “their science and song.”
I remember hearing of some really inspiring stories from the visiting Missionaries around the time of the General Conference held in Denver in 1978, and I thought, “What great experiences the Lord has given them. And I think that it’s hard tcr get out into the mission field here in North America? What others have to suffer all the time in other countries just to share their faith. Then it shouldn’t be hard for us to simply suffer a little rejection here in the Developed world.”
On one occasion, I was canvassing late on a Friday afternoon, and I remember thinking and praying for a soul to respond to the grace of God. Well, soon thereafter a young man came to the door and invited me in. His wife had been attending the SDA church’s Daniel and Revelation seminar and was interested in Adventist doctrine because she thought it was the truth; they had heard nothing about the Reform. We started to study, but Satan was not happy about them coming to the truth at all. Just as they were close to taking their stand with us, the wife had a severe problem with her vision. We asked the church to pray for her in the hospital, and the Doctors were amazed that “somehow her eyes just came right back into line.” This dear couple ended up taking their stand with us due to the fact a prayer-hearing God worked so wondrously on their behalf.
When we consider the health message, let us think of the right arm and its relation to the body. The right arm isn’t the body itself, but rather helps and supports the body. So health reform, as it is in right relation to the three angel’s messages will accomplish much good. This message definitely has a part to play in the closing of the three angel’s messages. The pen of inspiration also calls this message the entering wedge. Consequently we can get to know many people who may be disillusioned by the vagaries of religion today, but will respond to the grace of God shown to them in this practical means of doing them good. Jesus said, “Go, and sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee”. We are to appeal to the people to put themselves in right relation to the laws that govern their beings.
Let us then work and pray, pray and work for our families, friends and associates. As we strive to relieve their physical necessities, the Lord will give many precious opportunities to minister to them spiritually. Very often, thinking people are looking for some kind of imbalance of self-righteousness, or spiritual pride to come from religious people, but as we go forward doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God, perhaps they will respond to the goodness of God.
I am reminded of one dear Brother in the Vancouver church who has shared that message in the construction trade. There are many rough and tough fellows who are completely at the opposite scale of religion.
Yet many of them have responded to his appeals about the evils of smoking, drinking and immorality due to the fact that he has been very humble and kind in his appeals. The way-he has said it is, “Look, I don’t think that I am any better than you just because I don’t smoke, drink or eat meat. I just feel better this way, and I would like you guys to feel better as well.”
The Lord is more than willing to share with us precious experiences as we contact our families, friends and neighbors. Have you tried to go with our literature – gospel and health – to the people on your block to see how you can determine their needs and try to help them with their needs? Maybe in this way you would find that you have a lot more friends than at first thought.
AMEN