Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

We are glad for this opportunity to cross paths with you who are world shapers for the kingdom. We are humbled to follow in the trail of Jim Reapsome, a visionary who has signficantly influenced the work of missions through journalism. Jim has been a good friend and counselor to us, as he has to scores of you. We give thanks with all of you for the life and focused ministry of this beloved fellow pilgrim.

During the last ten years, our work with SIM (Serving In Mission) has taken us to 56 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Earlier, we worked in Nigeria for 13 years. Carol’s childhood was spent in Ecuador, where her parents served with HCJB radio. We’ve embraced the metaphor of pilgrimage for our lives with good reason. Psalm 84:5 and 7 have become our theme verses: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”

Being foreigners in this world is the reality for all who follow Jesus. Missionaries may have more daily reminders about our “alien” rank on earth? completing alien registration forms, navigating foreign cultures and enduring homesickness. But our foreign status is not just about travel. It’s a pilgrim mindset that entails following God’s call beyond our own boundaries and comfort.

Most missionaries have escaped the snares of a settler mentality and have chosen the pilgrim mindset, an eternal perspective. Abraham and Sarah could make their home in tents because they knew God was preparing a city with foundations for them. They could live as strangers here because they knew they belonged in heaven.

Our true citizenship is in heaven, but that citizenship begins while we are on earth. As pilgrims, though, we’re not on a self-seeking, mystical journey. We can’t focus solely on our own salvation while letting the rest of the world go to hell. We must care deeply both about the misery of people and the glory of God. As we press on toward home, we have the joyful task of inviting others to join us on the journey.

The pilgrimage metaphor for missions contrasts with the military campaign that views people as “targets,” and the industrial management mindset that tries to predict and quantify results. Pilgrims are propelled by a vision for the worldwide kingdom of God, of people from every culture finding their eternal home in God.

At the moment, we very much feel like pilgrims again as we recently uprooted from North Carolina to Illinois. Jim teaches in the missions department at Trinity International University and Carol serves as minister of congregational life and outreach at Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church. We are in the throes of transition, trusting God to strengthen us for new tasks.

No doubt you, too, are facing some kind of transition in life. Though the pilgrim path is often clouded in mist, we have a sure destination and the map of God?s word to guide our travels. We also have the strong resource of prayer. Max Lucado writes, “I don’t mind being a pilgrim as long as I can call home whenever I need to.”

Although we are called to embrace pilgrimage, God understands and provides for our need of a place. C.S. Lewis said, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” We live, then, in the fruitful tension of being pilgrims for whom the earth is not home, and disciples who seek to live out God’s ways, transforming the world.

May God bless and encourage you as you shape your corner of the world for God’s kingdom!

We would like to learn about your pilgrimage reflections and experiences. E-mail us at: [email protected]

arol Plueddemann is the minister of congregational life and outreach at Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Warrenville, Illinois. Jim Plueddemann is professor of missions at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.