Zambia Hunt

Dr. Darrell Champlin, Missionary Statesman, 1932-2015. 

In the annals of biblical history, we find a poignant story that resonates deeply with the challenges facing modern Christianity. The tale of King Saul’s incomplete obedience, as recounted in I Samuel 15:1-33, serves as a powerful metaphor for the current state of global missions. Just as Samuel’s heart broke over the tragedy in Israel, many today are grappling with a similar calamity in the realm of missions. Let’s explore this parallel and its implications for our faith and actions.

The Clear Command

God’s command to Saul was unequivocal in 1 Samuel 15:3: “Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” While this may seem harsh to our modern sensibilities, it was both a just judgment and an act of mercy in preventing further evil. The Amalekites had been persistent enemies of Israel, attacking them during their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16) and ambushing their weakest members from behind (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).

Today, we face a world under a similar threat – not from earthly armies, but from the consequences of separation from God. As John 3:36 reminds us, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Yet we must also remember the hope found in John 3:16-18: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

In response to this spiritual crisis, we have received a command just as clear and undeniable as the one given to Saul. Jesus himself instructed us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This Great Commission is our marching orders, as unequivocal as those given to Saul.

Our Competency

Saul had at his disposal an overwhelming force, backed by the might of the Lord of Hosts. Similarly, we too are more than competent for the task at hand. Consider our resources:

1. Personnel:

We have an army of tens of millions of believers worldwide, described in the Song of Solomon 6:4,10 as an “army terrible with banners.” Jesus himself promised in Matthew 16:18 that “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The early church was assured in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2. Perspective:

We have the ultimate example in Christ, the “Man of Sorrows,” whose commitment and sacrifice for us should inspire our own dedication. Philippians 2:5-8 encourages us, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

Hebrews 12:2-3 further reminds us to keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

3. Power:

We possess the greatest power in the world – the Gospel. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” This power is further described in 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Our spiritual weapons are mighty, as 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 explains: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

The Cost of Disobedience

Before examining our current crisis, we must consider the grave consequences of Saul’s partial obedience. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Samuel declares: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

Saul’s kingdom was taken from him because of his incomplete obedience. Similarly, when we only partially commit to the Great Commission, we forfeit the spiritual authority and blessing God intends for us. Jesus warned in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Partial obedience is, in reality, disobedience.

The Unfolding Calamity

Despite our clear mandate and abundant resources, we find ourselves in the midst of a calamity. Just as God could hear the breath of one Amalekite who should have died, signaling Saul’s incomplete obedience, today we hear the cries of billions unreached by the Gospel. As Psalm 142:4 laments, “I look for someone to come to my help, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.”

Consider these sobering statistics:

• 3,000+ languages still lack even a word of Scripture.
• 3.2 billion people remain unreached, crying out, “No man cares for my soul!”
• The global population is exploding, with projections of adding a billion people every decade or less.
• We have only 29,000 evangelical missionaries from the USA worldwide, less than 1/3 of them are involved in church planting.
• While there’s one ordained preacher for every 451 Americans, there’s only one missionary for about 450,000 unreached people globally.
• The world is losing 143 people every minute, most without Christ.

The disparity is stark, and the need is great. Jesus himself was moved with compassion at such realities, as Matthew 9:36-38 records: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

Yet, like Saul, we may be tempted to say, “We have done all the Lord commanded us.” The Holy Spirit, however, cries out, “What then is this bleating of sheep that I hear?”

The Heart Behind Obedience

True obedience flows not from duty alone but from a heart transformed by love. 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Our sacrifice in missions must come from a place of gratitude and love for Christ, as 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 explains: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

The question is not merely what we do but why we do it. Are we, like David, saying, “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24)? Or are we, like Saul, preserving what is valuable to us while sacrificing only what is convenient?

The Path to Conquest

To address this calamity, we must, like Samuel with Agag, be willing to slay the obstacles that prevent our full obedience. These modern-day “Agags” include:

1. The grand American dream

Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

2. Health as a life goal

1 Timothy 4:8: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

3. Romance at any cost

1 Corinthians 7:29-31: “What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”

4. Selfish ambition

Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

James 3:14-16: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

5. Loveless service

1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

6. Carnal compromise

Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

1 Peter 1:14-16: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

7. Worldly wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:18-25: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

James 3:13-18: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom… But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

8. Prayerless living

1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray continually.”

Luke 18:1: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

9. Personal pride

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6-10: “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

10. Ignorant isolation

Proverbs 18:1: “An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.”

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

11. Fearful faith

2 Timothy 1:7: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

12. Cold compassion

1 John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Colossians 3:12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

We must confront these idols and lay them at the foot of the cross. Only then can we truly join the army of the Lord, as Paul exhorts in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

A Call to Action

As we stand at this critical juncture, we must remember that we have the command, we possess the competency, but we find ourselves in the midst of calamity. The solution lies in our willingness to slay these “Agags” in our lives.

We must live in the light of the coming Judgment Seat of Christ, where our obedience will be tested. As 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 warns us: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.”

Romans 10:13-15 reminds us of the urgency: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

The prophet Isaiah’s response must become our own. In Isaiah 6:8, we read: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

Only when we have fully surrendered these areas of our lives can we truthfully say, “We have done all the Lord commanded.” Until then, the question will continue to ring in our ears: “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep?”

Let this serve as both a challenge and an inspiration to fully commit ourselves to the Great Commission, reaching the unreached and bringing the light of the Gospel to every corner of our world. The ultimate vision of successful missions is captured in Revelation 7:9-10: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

Practical Applications

For Individuals:

1. Commit to praying daily for unreached peoples (Joshua 1:8)
2. Give sacrificially to support missionaries and missions organizations (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
3. Learn about unreached people groups and adopt one for focused prayer
4. Consider short-term mission opportunities to experience the field firsthand
5. Explore your own calling – could God be calling you to go? (Acts 13:2)

For Churches:

1. Adopt unreached people groups and support missionaries working among them
2. Allocate a significant percentage of the church budget to missions (at least 10-15%)
3. Host missions conferences and regularly feature missionary speakers
4. Develop missions education programs for all age groups
5. Send short-term teams to support long-term missionaries

For Missionaries:

1. Prioritize unreached areas where Christ has not been named (Romans 15:20)
2. Invest in raising up indigenous leaders (2 Timothy 2:2)
3. Collaborate with other missions organizations for greater effectiveness
4. Maintain spiritual vitality through personal devotion and accountability
5. Document and share both challenges and victories to mobilize prayer and support

The calamity is real, but so is our calling. Will we, unlike Saul, choose complete obedience? The fate of billions hangs in the balance. The time for action is now.