Sunday, October 22, 2023 is World Mission Sunday, when Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist and to continue to a collection for the work of evangelisation around the world. The annual celebration serves as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of the Church. BETTY AMUKPO tasked some children on supporting the mission exercise financially. Excerpts:
‘Giving is compassionate’
Mission is the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God. And by supporting the missionaries financially, we help in spreading the good news to the whole world. Giving is compassionate. Giving is ministry. Giving is wise. Giving is worship. Giving is safe. Because we serve the God of abundant riches, God will supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19. As the Lord has commanded, those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 1 Cor.9:14. God’s hardworking missionaries are to be financially supported by God’s exceedingly blessed church. Giving is one way we honour God. We do not do anything in order to earn God’s favour, we do everything in response to the favour He has graciously showed us.
• Anita Chima
‘Christian mission activities involve money’
Christian mission activities involve money. There is no way one would talk about mission without talking about money. Throughout Paul epistles he clearly encourages the financial support of missionaries and pastors through the Church. He instructs the Galatians (Gal. 6:6) that the Church body is to financially support the teachers of the faith. Thus, supporting missionaries is essential because missions are the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God, and by helping these missionaries, we help in spreading the good news to the whole world.
• Victoria Okefe
‘We support mission by faithfully participating in it’
Mission is the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God and by helping these missionaries, we help in spreading the good news to the whole world. Galatians 6:6 states, “The Church body is to financially support the teachers of the faith. We support mission not only by loving and going to be a missionary itself and faithfully participating in it. As Jesus prays: ” As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world (John 17:18). 1 Cor. 9:14. God’s hard working missionaries are to be financially supported by God’s exceedingly blessed Church
• Sandra Ojimadu
‘Giving will create access for spreading the gospel to the unreached people’
We go to the mission by giving. More than 3 billion unreached people will not have access to the gospel unless believers use more of their resources to reach them. Throughout his epistle Paul clearly encouraged the financial support of missionaries through the Church. Gal 6:6 Instructs that the Church body is to financially support teachers of the faith.
• Ebenyi Ogechi
‘Strive to advance soulsaving’
It is important to support the mission financially because giving is compassionate Philippians 4:14 states that “Nevertheless, it was right of you to share (with me) in my difficulty”. Paul suffered throughout his ministry. And the Philippians, in an act of kindness and compassion, sent him financial aid to alleviate some of his sufferings. God’s servants are not immune to suffering. You certainly know of ministries caring for hurting people around the world. If financial assistance will bring some relief, then giving will be an act of compassion. If a person never knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, his or her life will end in tragedy. As Christians, we keep that at the forefront of our minds. When you support the Christian Mission striving to advance the soul-saving, and eternal-comfort-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, you are being compassionate.
• Arnold Akalezi
‘Giving is divine’
Mission is an important assignment to a person or group of people. Financially is the way that relates to finance. It is important to support the mission financially because:
• Giving is ministry: In Philippians 4:15, it is written “no Church entered into….”. So supporting the mission financially is assisting the mission.
• Giving is worship.
• Giving is safe: in Philippians 4:19
• Giving is divine.
• Anyasor Chibuike
‘It’s important to support the teachers of faith financially’
It is important to support the Mission financially because supporting missionaries is essential. Mission is the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God and by helping these missionaries, we help in spreading the good news to the whole world. According to Galatians 6:6 the Church body is to financially support the teachers of the faith. I wish to note that giving is compassionate, wise and safe.
• Umennadi Francisco Chibunna
‘It enables spreading of the Gospel’
It is important to support the mission financially because it enables the spreading of the Gospel to more people, provides for the needs of those doing the work, and brings glory to God. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,” says 2 Corinthians 9:7. Another reason is that we also need to help the poor. The mission is a part of the Catholic Church that helps the people outside the church like the homeless and the poor. So, if we help them financially we are propagating the gospel. Matthew 7:12 says “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the law of the Prophets”.
• Blossom Akalezi
‘Giving money to the mission is a valid expression of worship towards God’
Giving money to the mission is a valid expression of love and worship towards the Lord. This was true of several women who travelled with Jesus and His disciples and were financially supporting them (Luke 8:1-3). God blesses us when we give and when we give, we are giving to Jesus (Matt.25:40). When we give to God’s work, God will bless us for sacrificial giving (Prov.22:9). Everyone is to give according to his or her ability (Deut.16:17). Give cheerfully, give generously, give till it hurts; not just what we can spare, give with pure motives (Matt.6:2). Learn to give to God out of a willing heart, because He deserves the best from us, because it is our privilege to give to God, and because all that we have ultimately belongs to God.
• Abigail Anthony
