International (MNN) – It’s easy to think only Bible translators or church planters are “qualified” for the mission field. Wycliffe USA’s Chris Gassler says, “Missions has taken on so many different shapes and forms, and I see people in a lot of different professions doing awesome, awesome work.”
Serving with EthnoArts, Gassler works alongside and supports Bible translators. But just as there are many parts with different functions in the Body of Christ, there are many roles in the mission field.
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“I have a friend in Cameroon who is a diesel engine mechanic, and he runs a shop where he’s training guys to do auto mechanics,” Gassler says.
“They have a devotional every morning for an hour [to] an hour and a half, and then he spends the rest of the day teaching them a skill so that they can participate in the economy.”
Chris used to be a professional trombone player. Today, he uses his background in music to help communities develop their own worship songs. “If I were to meet somebody that says, ‘Oh, you know, I’m in [field X]; I don’t know how God could use that in missions’, I would say don’t count anything out,” Gassler says.
“Respond as the Lord leads you to respond.”
If God is calling you to the mission field, respond in obedience. Discover how God can use your gifts at Wycliffe USA.
“Maybe my circumstances were unique; how many trombone players out there end up doing missionary work in Africa? I get that, but it just felt completely natural and normal to me,” Gassler says.
“Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe, used to say ‘I can use anybody but a bartender’. I might contest you could even use a bartender if you have enough imagination.”
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