MISSION '72 is now upon us. This monumental project is a determined effort by the whole church to reach every home in North America with God's last message. It is the most massive sowing and reaping evangelistic endeavor yet conducted by the remnant church, and we are all eagerly looking forward to a bountiful and joyous ingathering of precious souls as the meetings begin on March 4.
But the hoe! The ground! Is the soil prepared so that the precious and attractively packaged seed will not fall on hard or stony ground or among thorns?
Jesus has showed us and told us the steps to take in doing this work. "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people." Christian Service, p. 119. "There is no other way of reaching them but in Christ's way." -Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 73. "Christ's way of presenting truth can not be improved upon." -Counsels on Health, p. 498.
What Is Christ's Way? What is this super-effective way? We must know it in order that the bending of all our efforts will result in the largest possible harvest.
Six very simple steps are listed in the Spirit of Prophecy writings. They are as follows:
[1] The Saviour mingled with men [2] as one who desired their good. [3] He showed His sympathy for them, [4] ministered to their needs, [5] and won their confidence. [6] Then He bade them, "Follow Me."—Christian Service, p. 119. (Italics supplied.)
During Mission A.D. 30, when Jesus sent forth the seventy, "He commanded them to heal the sick, and next to preach that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. Their physical health was to be first cared for, in order that the way might be prepared for the truth to reach their minds." --Counsels on Health, p. 34. The Lord had a systematic approach to soul-saving that He urged upon His trainees. His method has not changed.
There is a vitally important reason why Jesus started with medical missionary work. "He knew . . . that man's great need was conversion. ... He would begin the work of overcoming just where ruin began, on the point of appetite." -Medical Ministry, p. 264.
Begin on the Point of Appetite
Indulgence of appetite is what enslaves millions today, and separates them from their Creator and Sustainer, causing an unhealthy condition of the body and casting a dark shadow over the mind. These indulgences include tobacco, alcohol, drugs, coffee, tea, wrong foods, too much food, overwork, late hours, physical inactivity, and many others.
It is impossible to work for the salvation of men and women without presenting to them the need of breaking away from sinful gratifications, which destroy the health, debase the soul, and prevent divine truth from impressing the mind. -Counsels on Health, p. 445.The good seed, however carefully scattered, will fall largely on stony ground and among thorns unless time and care are previously taken to prepare the soil. The abused body and sluggish mind create an effective barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit.
We must begin by mingling with men. Too often we are so busy operating the machinery of the church that we don't take time to get close to our neighbors, or even family, except when it's time to hand out tracts or do Ingathering. We must desire their good, and show that we do. "By personal labor reach those around you. Be come acquainted with them. Preaching will not do the work that needs to be done." --Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 41. "The true heart expression of Christlike sympathy, given in simplicity, has power to open the door of hearts." --Ibid., p. 30.
Unselfish Ministry
Next must come unselfish ministry to our new-found friends and neighbors. "Relieve the physical necessities of your fellow men, and their gratitude will break down the barriers and enable you to reach their hearts." --Ibid., p. 127. "We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease." --Ibid.f vol. 7, p. 62.
Remember too, that "nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation" in the mind (Counsels on Health, p. 324). Potent causes emphasized by Ellen G. White include home trouble, remorse for sin, and erroneous doctrines. In these areas all can help.
"Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of people, and the way will be prepared for a more decided proclamation of the truth." Ibid., p. 499. "We are to interest the people in subjects that concern the health of the body as well as the health of the soul." Ibid., p. 500. "We should teach others how to preserve and to recover health. . . . The very essence of the gospel is restoration." —Ibid., p. 31.
Each Can Do Something
"Those who have not had special training in one of our medical institutions may think that they can do very little," but "everyone is to do all he can to roll back the wave of disease and distress that is sweeping over our world." --Ibid., p. 529. As Seventh-day Adventists possessing the Spirit of Prophecy instruction, we all have access to a wealth of information and knowledge about how to live healthfully, even without specific medical or para medical training. Each has an individual responsibility to impart this information in a tactful, helpful way to his neighbors.
Methods in preventive and restorative medical missionary work include Five-Day Plans to Stop Smoking, nutrition classes, cooking schools, the 4 DK Plan for alcoholics, weight control and physical fitness instruction, and community or cottage health lectures. We must keep in mind, however, that the one-to-one, person-to-person approach is the most dynamic and effective in opening hearts. The new Home Help materials from the General Conference Temperance Department can quickly prepare almost any church member with the know-how and the tools (three and one-half minute films, pamphlets, and script) for effective and simple health evangelism.
Results Assured
The Lord promises success when His methods in soil preparation are used. Acts of sympathy and helpfulness will touch people's hearts. "Gratitude springs up, faith is kindled. They see that God cares for them, and as His word is opened they are prepared to listen." Medical Minis try, p. 247. Following this, "the influences that are associated with health reform will commend it to the judgment of all who want light, and they will advance step by step to receive the special truths for this time." Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 379.
Christ's method may not bring the quick and showy display of annuals, which wither and die in one season, but it will produce an ever-enlarging garden of perennials, who are firmly rooted and grounded in the faith. "God would be better pleased to have six truly converted to the truth . . . than to have sixty make a nominal profession and yet not be thoroughly converted." Ibid., vol. 4, p. 317. In the long run, however, "when the cities are worked as God would have them," be ginning where the ruin began, restoring and converting the whole man physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually "the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed" (Medical Ministry, p.304).
MISSION '72 is already upon us! Let us use the hoe vigorously as it continues. It is the Heaven-ordained agency of medical missionary work that opens hearts, rejuvenates bodies, and clarifies minds. Then the precious seed when scattered will sink deep into fertile ground, and in due time will bring forth an abundant harvest.
