Battlefield Blunders

March 2025

Battlefield blunders can be just as decisive as brilliant tactics by the opposing army. Imagine miscalculating the size and strength of the enemy forces you are about to engage! Jesus questioned the wisdom of a king who failed to consider whether he had the necessary troops before going to war. In other words, entering battle without sufficient recruits or resources would be a critical mistake.

Yet, the ranks of missionaries today are not only dwindling—they are disappearing altogether. Many local churches rely more on a discipleship strategy of chance than one of certainty.

Three hours’ drive from my home in Eastern Pennsylvania stands the nation’s first military academy across the state line in West Point, New York. This prestigious institution prepares young men and women to become officers in the U.S. Army. Cadets train for four years, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as second lieutenants. A second lieutenant leads a platoon of 16 to 44 soldiers. Without those soldiers, a second lieutenant is just a title. And going into battle with nothing but titles would be a grave mistake.

Likewise, our local academies—our churches—are failing to produce missionary lieutenants, or even spiritual soldiers, for the battle against the darkness of this present age (Ephesians 6:12). One reason our churches have not raised missionaries—let alone ones with the same conviction and caliber as those from 200 years ago—is that too many believers remain tied to parental pressures or attached to perishable pursuits of this present world.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” If a church is to discover soldier-quality missionaries in its midst, it cannot be by chance. A pastor and his people must intentionally disciple their children in the way they should go—the way of self-sacrifice (Proverbs 22:6). When a church commits to that kind of training, it will certainly find those who are ready to go.

 

In His Service,

 

 

 

GFF General Director