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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #479)
If I'm Not a "Preacher" ...
Can I
Still Be a Missionary?
by Len Breen
 There seems to be a misconception that God can't use people in
missions if they are not gifted in teaching or preaching, or don't
have a Bible college education. My wife and I almost fell prey to that
way of thinking sixteen years ago. We were in our mid-thirties, had two
children, and were living comfortably in southern Ontario. I had been
employed as a graphic artist with a printing company for twelve years.
We were members of a great church and served in various capacities
over a period of eight years. Our church was -- and still is -- a
mission- minded church, supporting missionaries serving with various
organizations. We were familiar with the work of NCEM, having had
representatives of the Mission visit our church. We were also on the
Northern Lights mailing list.
In 1984, through a series of health and employment related events, my
wife and I began to earnestly seek the Lord's will for our future. In
the summer of 1985 we received the July-August issue of the Northern
Lights. As I read through the magazine, an article on page 15 caught my
attention. It read: "LOOKING FOR A JOB WITH REAL PURPOSE? -- NCEM has
29 openings for people who love the Lord and desire to serve Him."
The article went on to describe three areas of need: the first was
for pioneer missionaries to begin church-planting and discipleship
ministries in 26 Native settlements; the second was for secretarial
staff; and the third area of need was for someone to do design, paste-up
and other duties in NCEM's Printing Department.
The need for Printshop help really interested me, since I had been
working in the industry for many years. Could the Lord possibly use my
abilities in graphic arts to help build His Church? As Lorrayne and I
discussed the article, we came to the conclusion that, no, since we didn't
have Bible college training, we could not possibly be accepted for
missionary service.
A few weeks later, while sorting through some magazines, I came
across the Northern Lights. It was still open at page 15! Was this just
coincidence, or was the Lord trying to tell us something? Lorrayne and I
had been praying for direction for almost a year. Perhaps the Lord was
opening a door of opportunity for us.
We agreed that some form of action should be taken to confirm if this
was indeed from the Lord. We decided to send a letter of introduction
and a resume to NCEM Headquarters. We didn't really expect anything
more than a polite response thanking us for the letter.
Much to our surprise, we were contacted by NCEM a couple weeks later.
We were delighted to hear that NCEM does accept candidates without Bible
college training for some support ministry roles. We were eventually
accepted as missionaries with NCEM, and moved to Prince Albert in 1986.
We thank God for calling us to serve with NCEM. For five years I used
my graphic arts experience to help produce literature used to advance
God's kingdom. Since then I earned a Bible college diploma and it has
been our privilege to serve the Lord in a number of other ministry roles
with the Mission.
Although NCEM's primary need for workers continues to be "field"
missionaries, there is also a great need for "support" missionaries.
Age does not have to be a barrier to missionary service. There are a
growing number of Christians in the secular workplace who are opting for
early retirement, and joining mission organizations.
Yes, within NCEM there are those called to "preach" and "teach."
They have trained for ministry and are serving in First Nations
communities or in discipleship centres such as Key-Way-Tin Bible
Institute. But like these front-line workers, God has just as surely
called some support missionaries.
Do you love the Lord and have a desire to serve Him in missions?
Please feel free to write or call NCEM to explore short-term or career
possibilities.
Len & Lorrayne Breen have themselves experienced several of
the opportunities available within NCEM to serve the Lord.
After serving in the Mission's Printshop, Len coordinated Bible
Camp ministries, followed by service at Timber Bay Bible Centre.
Personal outreach for the Breens over the years has included
ministry at Saskatchewan Penitentiary. Len now serves as NCEM's
Candidate-Personnel Coordinator, and Lorrayne in the Tribal Trails
television ministry.
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