When we speak of missionaries, we tend to envision third-world countries:  far-away places rife with poverty, epidemics, and a lack of knowledge of the Lord. One definition of the word missionary is as follows: “a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital work”.

Perhaps you currently support foreign missionaries with finances or prayer. Maybe you have considered what it would be like to go out into the world and make such a tangible difference. But with your obligations and commitments you don’t feel you’ll ever be able to travel to far-away lands to help needy children and spread God’s word.

But what if you could become a missionary without leaving your hometown? There are needy children practically on your doorstep. There are people hungering for Christ’s love right where you live. Perhaps you are called to become an urban missionary.

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, a child in Arizona is abused or neglected every hour. In 2004, forty children died of maltreatment in Arizona. In 2005 that number increased to fifty. Childabuse.com states that 40% of confirmed cases of abuse and neglect involve drugs and alcohol. And as of September 30, 2006, DES reported 9,833 Arizona children in out-of-home care.

Perhaps the mission you are called to is to minister to these hurting children here in your community. Maybe you feel God’s calling to provide a temporary home where children who have known only pain, fear and uncertainty can experience stability, security, and unconditional love. Or you may feel led to go one step further and consider adopting a child in foster care, giving them a forever family and firsthand knowledge of how our Heavenly Father loves us enough to adopt us each into His family.

Even if you don’t feel called to foster care or adoption, there are other ways you can be an urban missionary and serve these little ones. There are two local Christian agencies whose missions are to provide Christian homes – whether short term, forever, or somewhere in between – for Tucson children in foster care.

There are several ways you can become involved. You can become a foster parent. You can become a mentor. You can volunteer your time and skills. You can donate gently used items to thrift stores that support these agencies. You can provide financial support or pray for the children in foster care on a regular basis.

If you feel led to become an urban missionary, answering God’s call to serve vulnerable children in your community, contact Arizona Baptist Children’s Services at 795-7541 or Christian Family Care Agency at
296-8255 to find out more.

© 2008 Good News Tucson™