Last week I had the opportunity to attend the United Methodist Women’s Northeastern Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting held in Hartford, Connecticut. Under the theme “Open the Door for Mission,” about 1,500 women representing their local churches gathered to celebrate and report on the missionary work that has been carried out around the world through the offerings collected by the Women’s Missionary Society. Though it was only a brief two-night, three-day gathering, I could not help but feel deep gratitude as I witnessed how the heartfelt offerings from each local church were being used so preciously across the globe.

When we think of “doing missions” at the local church level, we often imagine going to the Third World or taking on heavy financial burdens. It can seem overwhelming, or like something only specially called missionaries can do. But in truth, in season or out of season, mission is a responsibility that every Christian is called to bear. The inability to do mission work is not because we lack money or time, but because we lack the heart for it.

On the way home with the church members who attended the conference, God led us into an unexpected situation—one that became a moment of mission training. I want to share briefly what happened, giving thanks to God for His guidance.

As we were driving on the highway, we planned to stop at the first rest area for breakfast. But we were deep in conversation and missed the exit. So we pulled into the next rest area instead. Just as we parked, a teenage boy stepped out of the car next to us and approached the deacon who had been driving. His shabby appearance immediately signaled that something was not right. In the driver’s seat of their car sat another boy, a few years older, watching us nervously.

The boy explained that while following his parents’ car, one of their tires had blown out, causing them to lose sight of their parents. To make matters worse, they had run out of gas and had no way to go anywhere. He asked if we could give them some money. Looking inside their car, we saw it was filled with dirty tissues and hamburger wrappers—clear signs that these were runaways, wandering without direction.

A thought flashed through my mind: We were meant to meet them. But I couldn’t simply hand them money. Nor could I abruptly scold them for wandering around like this. So I prayed silently: “Lord Jesus, what would You do in a moment like this?”

And the Holy Spirit brought to mind these words: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35–36) “…and when I had no oil, you filled my tank.”

I told the boys to pull their car up to the gas pump. Then I filled their tank all the way to the top. Their hardened expressions melted into disbelief and gratitude.

Then I said, as if I had been waiting for the moment, “Would it be alright if I sat in your car for a moment and prayed for you?”

The boys hesitated, then opened the door and apologized for the mess inside.

“Here, take my hands—both of you. Let’s pray together.”

“God, thank You for allowing us to meet these precious young men this morning. I do not know their circumstances. I do not know what problems they may have with their parents, at school, or with friends. But You know their situation. Please watch over their present and their future. And when they face difficulties in life, give them the wisdom to seek, ask, and knock before You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

It was a simple prayer, but I felt deeply grateful that God allowed their souls to be touched.

Their once-dark eyes now shone brightly. “…Actually, we prayed too—asking God to give us gas.”

“Really? That’s exactly it! When you pray, there is nothing God cannot do. But you must always listen for God’s voice. Do you go to church?”

“…Sometimes…”

“You can’t go sometimes! A car needs fuel consistently—you can’t have it full one day and empty the next, right?”

The boys nodded vigorously.

I squeezed their hands once more and stepped out of the car. “And clean this car! What is all this? When your car is messy, your mind becomes messy too. Here—this isn’t much, but get yourselves some breakfast. God truly loves you.”

When I placed the remaining cash in their hands, their mouths fell open in astonishment. As they drove off, the morning sunlight sparkled over their rattling car.

There is mission work we do together, and mission work we must do individually. The fact that Christians can participate in both is God’s grace. Children never tire of receiving from their parents, but once they become parents, they learn the joy of giving.

Mission is the calling of mature Christians—in season or out of season. And so, toward the mission doors that must be opened, may we continue to pray and run forward today.

Wan Hee Yoon, May 13, 1996