"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him; saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us (Acts 16:9)."

    The words 'come over and help us' are found in almost every letter that enters my office.  It is time to revive our missionary efforts for the calls are ringing out, 'come to us'.  The cry that is being made is almost more than I can stand.  I cannot do it all alone.  Who will help me?  Who feels the call?  Who will say with Isaiah of old, 'Here am I, Oh Lord, send me'.

   I have just finished talking over the phone with our Missionary Director who said that she felt led to call.  She feels we must make a special move to reach the lost.  Our churches are doing some missionary work, but I feel they can do more.  I am sure some of the missionary sisters are doing all they can, but they need help in order to accomplish the great task and stimulate our soul saving program.

    I want to quote another Scripture found in Romans 10:13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."

   When we read this Scripture we know that evangelists are needed.  We have seventy-five ministers, but some of them seem to be idle.  I am receiving word that many young men and women are praying through and feeling their call to the harvest field.  I wish I could sit down and talk to them all.  I'd like to explain to them some of the things we all must face, and the hardships that might come their way.  They need to know that all these things become memorials and stars in their crown, and will give them a testimony  that will encourage others to blaze the trail as they did.  Many then will become great soul winners for Christ and His Church.

   According to the instructions given by Paul to the Roman church, it is necessary for us as the Church to shoulder the responsibility and do what we can to send the preacher.  It will be necessary for us to make sacrifices.  Let us make them as soldiers of the Kingdom of God.  I feel there must be no retreat.  I want to be a good soldier.  A good Scripture to support this move can be found in II Corinthians 10:15-16, "Not boasting of things without our measure, that is of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly.  To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand."  This is the only way we will be able to advance and grow.  We must hope that when our faith is increased, we shall be enlarged according to our rule abundantly; then we will be able to preach the gospel in the regions beyond.  Now we must take on more faith and zeal to work harder than ever.  We must reach others with this glorious last days' message.  Work hard for the missionary cause and always remember the words, "COME OVER AND HELP US".

   I have informed the General Missionary Director, Sister Louise Brownlee, that the fourth Sunday in each month will be our special Missionary Day.  All that has been gathered for this cause should be brought on this day and swelled with a special Missionary Sunday offering.  I trust that these words will be encouraging to each and everyone.  Let us all work together to answer the self-same call.  May the Lord bless you in your work is my prayer.

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* Article Written By:  The Late Grady R. Kent, St. John II, Chief Bishop of The Church of God, 1957-1964. This sermon was taken from The Vision Speaks, Volume 1 : Number 7 : January 1958.

All grammatical and typographical errors have been corrected except for direct quotations from the Author.  Thought content of said article has not been changed.