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Missionaries vs. Mission Field: Are We Getting It Wrong?

Welcome to the Beyond the Youth Room blog! Today, we’re unpacking a crucial topic for parents and ministry leaders: missionaries versus mission field. Many Christian parents unknowingly adopt a mindset that could hinder their children’s spiritual growth. So, let’s dive into why this matters and how we can rethink our approach.

The Misconception: Preparing Instead of Empowering

A common belief among Christian parents is that kids need to be “raised up” to spiritual maturity before they can effectively share their faith or engage in ministry. But the Bible doesn’t command us to merely raise our children—it calls us to train them. Like trees that grow stronger through exposure to wind and storms, our kids need real-world experiences to develop a resilient faith.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of overprotecting kids from challenges, but this can backfire. Without opportunities to navigate struggles, their faith might not withstand future pressures. Instead of sheltering them, we should equip them to step boldly into their roles as young missionaries.

Teenagers: The Boldest Missionaries

As youth pastors, we’ve seen firsthand how teenagers often live out their faith with more courage and clarity than adults. The New Testament suggests that most of Jesus’ disciples, apart from Peter, were likely under 20 years old. They didn’t wait for perfect knowledge or maturity—they learned as they followed Christ.

Imagine if we took the same approach with our kids. Instead of treating them as a mission field, waiting passively to be discipled, we need to view them as missionaries already capable of making an impact.

The School Debate: It’s Not Either-Or

This discussion often circles back to the debate between public, private, and homeschool education. Ryne and I have walked different paths—he was raised in a mix of homeschooling and Christian schooling before transitioning to public school, while I became a Christian as a public school student.

From our experiences, it’s clear that no one educational path guarantees stronger faith. Homeschoolers can lead others to Christ just as public school students can, and vice versa. The key isn’t the environment; it’s how we train our kids to live out their faith within that environment.

In our youth ministry, we see students from diverse schooling backgrounds living out the gospel in tangible ways. However, we’ve also encountered parents who feel torn, assuming one path is “better” for spiritual growth. Instead of focusing on the schooling method, we should focus on encouraging all students to see themselves as missionaries in whatever environment God has placed them.

A Challenge for Parents

As Christian parents, our role is to equip our children, not merely shield them. Take them to places where they can engage with the world. If your child is homeschooled, challenge them to attend a public high school football game and sit near the student section. Let them experience the brokenness of the world and the need for Christ in real, tangible ways.

Let’s stop treating our children as spiritual projects and start seeing them as active participants in God’s mission. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or at the dinner table, they have opportunities to be the light of Christ to those around them.

Are Teens Missionaries or a Mission Field? A Biblical Perspective

In recent conversations among parents and youth leaders, the question of whether teenagers should be seen as missionaries or merely as a mission field has sparked much debate. A quote circulating online claims, "Read your New Testament. You won't find a single child serving as a missionary. Your children aren't missionaries. They are your mission field. The Bible says, raise them up, not send them out." While well-meaning, this perspective may not align with the Bible's teaching on the role of young people in God’s mission.

A Shift in Perspective

It’s true: parents are called to disciple their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 instructs us to talk about God’s Word in every aspect of life, training children in His ways. However, there’s a difference between “raising” children, which implies cultivating and waiting, and “training” them, which involves active, hands-on preparation. Parents don’t just raise children to maturity; they train them for the spiritual race ahead, equipping them to take ownership of their faith.

While younger children might primarily be a mission field—needing to be nurtured and discipled—teenagers are different. Teen years are a crucial time for spiritual development, and scripture shows us that teenagers can and should step into active faith roles.

What Does the Bible Say?

A closer look at the New Testament reveals that Jesus specifically chose teenagers to be His disciples. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus instructs Peter to pay the temple tax for both of them. This tax was only required of men 20 years and older, implying that Peter was the only disciple over that age. Jesus entrusted His mission to a group of young people, teaching them and then sending them out to change the world.

Furthermore, in Jewish culture, the age of 13 marked the transition to adulthood. Jesus worked within this cultural framework, training His disciples—many of whom were teenagers—just as today’s youth leaders guide teens in the faith.

A Balanced Approach

So, should teens be missionaries? Yes—but with discernment. As parents and leaders, it’s our role to ensure that they are prepared and equipped for the challenges they’ll face. Sending an unprepared teenager into spiritually hostile environments is unwise. But keeping them insulated from the world can hinder their growth and limit their impact for Christ.

Youth pastors often emphasize that teenagers are uniquely positioned to reach their peers. As one leader put it, “Teenagers do a much better job reaching other teenagers with the gospel than we can ever do as youth leaders.” When teens own their faith and live it out, they can profoundly influence their peers in ways adults often cannot.

Conclusion

The idea that teens cannot be missionaries underestimates their potential and overlooks biblical evidence. Parents are still their children’s primary disciplers, tasked with training them for spiritual maturity. But as teens grow, they are called to step out in faith—to not only be disciples but to make disciples.

Rather than seeing teens as merely a mission field, let’s view them as part of the mission force. With proper training, prayerful guidance, and a clear understanding of God’s Word, teenagers can live out their faith boldly, bringing the hope of the gospel to a world in need.