By Miriam Ankerbrand, Development Coordinator
Do you remember the song that went like this: “Be a missionary every day! Tell the world that Jesus is the way!” I’m sure it’s a familiar one to many who have been a part of the Released Time Bible Program. Some Released Time classes still sing it!
The words of the song let us know that anyone of us can be a missionary and that we can do it wherever we are. Joy El has several missionaries working in the Released Time program and the 4.12 Leadership Training Program. (Nate Marshall, far right in the photo, serves as Director of the 4.12 Leadership Training Program as a missionary.) Without our missionaries, these programs would not be possible.
Joy El has been missionary based since its beginnings when Mildred McEvers came to Franklin County, PA to be the “Bible Lady” in the public school system. There have been missionaries involved ever since. By having missionaries serving in roles such as Released Time Coordinator, Training and Curriculum Coordinator, Equipping Coordinators, and more, it helps us to keep costs low so that more children can enjoy coming to Released Time and be a part of the 4.12 Leadership Training Program. These missionaries raise support for their roles allowing for other funds to be directed toward the need of the ministry as a whole, keeping Released Time free for children and the cost of camp low.
We have a need for more missionaries! Released Time is growing into other areas and we need missionaries to minister to the volunteers and children in those areas. Have you ever felt as though God was calling you to do mission work, but just didn’t know where? Perhaps it’s right here where you are. Perhaps it’s in your own back yard. If you are interested in learning more about being a missionary, we would love to talk with you! If you know of someone that might be interested in serving as a missionary in their area, send them this blog post.
There’s one other message that comes out in the “Be a Missionary” song. It also reminds us “the Lord is soon returning, there is no time to lose. So be a missionary, God’s own emissary, be a missionary today!” Is God calling you?
