Blessings of Deputation
Whenever I get an idea about something to write I usually try to write it down in a document called “blog” (really creative I know). I write down all my thoughts quickly and then come back and develop it later. Here is one of those thoughts that has been in the document for a while. As many of you know, we finished our deputation in August of last year. If you are not new to this blog then you also read the updates from the dozens of churches that we were able to be in. So what do I think about deputation after doing it? Well here are some blessings of deputation from this missionary’s point of view.
Maybe unlike many missionaries, I think deputation is an unbelievable opportunity that Independent Baptist have. I think most bad attitudes about it come mainly from:
- those who don’t know how it works and/or have a lack of training.
- those that have pride issues and are unwilling to do something so humbling.
- those that are lazy and not worthy of support in the first place.
- those that have had a bad experience along the way.
- those that have convinced themselves that deputation is “broken.”
There may be reasonable objections to it, such as, the amount of time and money that it takes for a missionary to get to full support. But I think if you look at the big picture and weigh out the pros and the cons, it definitely leans towards the pros.
Deputation can be taxing on the family at times. Driving thousands of miles and spending endless hours on the phone may not seem like the most fun things in the world. But after finishing our deputation, I believe it is a tremendous blessing that many don’t get to participate in unless you are headed to the mission field.
Here are some of the pros or blessings of deputation:
Prayer Support - And I don’t mean this in a cliche way. I was humbled and still am by all the people who let us know that they are praying for us. People who I would of otherwise never met, except for traveling on deputation, are now interceding for my family. In church culture people always “say” they will be praying for you, but when you meet real prayer warriors your opinion changes, at least mine did.
Financial Support – Like all ministries, money is involved. Missions takes money. It is a heavy load for a church to fully support a missionary in most cases. A lot of churches struggle with supporting their pastor. Deputation is an opportunity for missionaries to receive support from multiple churches allowing them (the churches) to financially support a missionary by doing their part, whether big or small, they can be involved. We never charge for anything, but people want to support missions and this is a way for them to see your mission.
Preaching – If you like to preach then you will love deputation. I was able to preach in churches of all types and sizes. No only did this help my preaching ability but we saw the Lord use the messages in the lives of many. The Word is preached, people are helped, and God is glorified!
Fellowship – I love meeting other believers! All over the country we were able to meet believers who had the same love for the Savior that we have. There were many that we were able to fellowship with, worship with, and enjoy one another in the Lord. Memories and friends were made.
Partnership – Along the way, people that become familiar with our work chose to partner with us. They partnered through prayer, financial support, or just by staying in contact and encouraging us. It is a partnership that seems a little more personal than just feeling like a number.
Ministry – Deputation is sometimes referred to as pre-field ministry. And it very much is ministry if you go about it with the right heart and attitude. You can be a blessing to churches just as much as they can be a blessing to you. What a privilege we have to be doing the work of the ministry and be receiving by the work of the ministry.
After you wade through the politics and weed out all the crazy stories and experiences, deputation for a missionary really is a blessing.
Tract Stories
During our time on deputation we challenged churches and individuals to reach out to the Chinese people in their town (as far as I can remember, every town that we visited at least had a Chinese restaurant). We gave out gospel tracts in the Chinese language and desired that the people would give them out whenever they come on contact with a Chinese person. We distributed thousands of tracts in the hands of God’s people and pray they were and are being used to reach the Chinese in America with the Gospel (since many do not speak very good English).
We have heard several exciting stories from those who have given out the tracts or had them just at the right moment. I received a call from a man in Georgia, since we have been in China, on how he was able to use the tracts to reach out to a Chinese man at the Food Court. I believe he was also going to try and buy a Bible in Chinese for the man and give it to him.
Here is another story is I received by email:
“Hello Tolson Family,
Just had to share a real blessing with you. I was in Morristown yesterday and I was able to share the gospel with a young Chinese girl. She spoke only broken English and she was so excited I gave her a gospel tract that you all had given to me at Appalachian Baptist Church. She was never saved but a church had baptized her. Please pray for ****** that she will understand and be saved. I will let you know if I hear from her. I gave her a tract with our church address and phone number, I hope she will call if she trusts Christ. I really have no way to get back in contact with her, it was while we were eating that I met her. I am so thankful that God reminded me I had those tracts, I don’t get to use them very often here in Greeneville, TN.”
There are even more stories that I can not recall at the moment. Maybe if you have used these tracts before and have a story how the Lord used these tracts, share it in the comments below.
It is exciting to see the Gospel going forth and the Lord working. Praise God!
If you would like to reach out to the Chinese community in your hometown, you can order Chinese tracts from the Fellowship Tract League (www.fellowshiptractleague.org).
08.13.10
Vision Baptist Church – Alpharetta, GA
We are so blessed to have the sending church that we do! This past Sunday our AM meeting was canceled, so we were able to be at Vision for both services. In the PM service the church had a “Blessing Service” for us. Many folks gave testimonies about how the Lord had used us in their lives, we heard from three of my mentors as they preached and challenged us, we were presented with a sword, box of letters, a love offering was taken up, and the church layed hands on and prayed over us.
Also, we were glad to have friends, family, and supporters from other churches come to be apart of the service to show their support.
This was our last meeting on deputation before we left for China.
We are truly humbled and blessed by that night!
Thank you Vision Baptist Church and Pastor Austin Gardner.
Bible Baptist Church – Landrum, SC
On Wednesday, August 4, we had a great service at Bible Baptist Church in Landrum, SC with pastor Tommy Tuner. I was able to preach the service and it was encouraging to see many respond. I pray the Lord will send forth more laborers from that congregation into His harvest. At the end of the service the church voted to take us on for support! Amen!
Thank you Bible Baptist Church for the opportunity to preach, for taking us on for support and the generous love offering.
Fellowship Baptist Church – Maryville, TN
This past Sunday evening, August 1st, we had a great goodbye service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, TN with pastor Tom Hatley. I was able to preach the service and pray that is was a help and blessing to the church. After the service they had a small fellowship for us to say goodbye to everyone. We are thankful for churches who truly partner with us!
Thank you Fellowship Baptist Church for the opportunity to preach, the fellowship after the service, and generous love offering. Thank you for your continued support.
Brookton Baptist Church – Gainsville, GA
This past Sunday morning, August 1st, we had a good meeting at Brookton Baptist Church in Gainsville, GA where Jeff Yeary is pastor. Pastor Yeary and many of the church family were at camp but we still had a good time. I was able to give my burden in the morning service and see many familiar faces again.
Thank you Brookton Baptist Church for the opportunity to share our burden and the generous love offering. We look forward, Lord Willing, to partnering with you.
North Point Baptist Church – Wooster, OH
On Wednesday, July 28th I had a great meeting at North Point Baptist Church in Wooster, OH with pastor Harley Snode. I arrived early and enjoyed getting to know pastor Snode over dinner. That evening I was able to present the ministry and preach the service. It is great to see the Lord blessing this new church plant.
Thank you North Point Baptist Church for the opportunity to present, preach, the meal, and the generous love offering. We look forward, Lord Willing, to partnering with you.
Victory Baptist Church – Milton, FL
We had a great time Sunday evening at Victory Baptist Church in Milton, FL with pastor Tim Fellure. I was able to present the ministry and preach the evening service. I preached from Romans 8:28 and shared our story. I pray the Lord used and will continue to use it.
After the service we had a great time with a group from the church and another missionary couple to China. We were able to talk and learn a lot from them.
Thank you Victory Baptist Church for the opportunity to present, preach, the meal, a place to stay, and the generous love offering. We look forward, Lord Willing, to partnering with you.
Maranatha Baptist Church – Columbus, GA
Sunday morning we dropped into Maranatha Baptist Church in Colombus, GA with pastor Mark Brown. We were able to meet up with a friend, Kenneth Ralph, who is the youth pastor. I was able to present our ministry and challenge the teens during the Sunday school hour. I pray the Lord will use some of them as missionaries to China. It was encouraging to see all the Lord is doing through him there and to fellowship after the main service.
Thank you Maranatha Baptist Church.
The Baptist Tabernacle – Covington, GA
Wednesday we dropped into The Baptist Tabernacle in Covington, GA with pastor David Moody. We were in this church back in May and we were able to present and give a quick challenge but Pastor Moody was out of town, so we thought we would drop back in to meet him since our originally scheduled meeting in SC was canceled.
The church was having their annual Jubilee and one of the preacher’s was Pastor Casey Bradford from High Point NC, in which we have presented in his church as well. He preached a good message on counterfeit gods.
It was good to be able to meet pastor Moody and see many familiar faces from last time we were there as well as others.
Thank you to The Baptist Tabernacle for your friendly and welcoming spirit. We look forward, Lord Willing, to partnering with you.
