A call to service from the podium of CMS Summer School in Katoomba has been answered, with 18 new missionaries set to go overseas this year under the banner of CMS NSW & ACT.

A few years ago CMS staff spoke at Summer School of the need for more Christians to offer for missionary service, asking its members to pray for more workers – and to consider going themselves. And the fruit of this call and prayer is now evident.

“God is doing something and we shouldn’t be surprised, should we?” said the general secretary of CMS NSW & ACT, the Rev Malcolm Richards. “Over the past year the number of inquirers and new missionaries has increased greatly. Eighteen people are going out on the field this year, and next year basically the same number of people will be going out on location. And there are more coming!”

Mr Richards spoke of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling his promises to create a people for himself from every tribe, nation and tongue.

“God is doing fantastic work all around the world to establish his kingdom through the proclamation of his gospel, and we’ve already seen how he’s calling long-term missionaries to work alongside churches around the world,” he said.

Speaking afterwards to Southern Cross, Mr Richards said CMS staff had spent some time considering what had led to this particular increase in people offering for missionary service, and an answer to calls from the podium was just one factor.

“We’ve got good churches, good university groups – CBS at the University of NSW and Sydney’s EU in particular are really emphasising global mission – and the National Training Event is also encouraging young people in that direction,” he said. “We also have a very good relationship with SMBC and Moore College, and all this together seems to be adding up to a really good flow of people coming to our door. It’s great.”

But while Mr Richards rejoiced in having more people to send out across the globe he underscored the fact that, without support from back home, the gospel work would not flourish.

“God also calls long-term supporters,” he said, “and if the work of our faithful God is going to go forward, he also calls faithful men and women here in Australia to pray and care and give for these missionaries.

“It’s God who raises up the workers for his harvest. It’s our job to catch up to what God is already doing so we can keep these people out on location long-term.”