Many people have heard of the famous missionary, William Carey; far fewer have heard of his good friend Andrew Fuller. Before leaving for India, Carey famously told Fuller, "I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the ropes." Fuller held the ropes by serving as president of the Baptist Mission Society from its founding until his death in 1814. Fuller traveled all over the British Isles, raising funds and preaching missions-related sermons. The missionaries in India and other early fields could concentrate on their ministry because they knew Fuller was advocating for them back home.
While the Great Commission is a command for all Christians, not every believer is called to move to another land to serve as a cross-cultural missionary. But many are, and these missionaries need Christians back home who, like Fuller with Carey, will "hold the ropes" for them as they spread the good news among unreached and underserved people groups. "Holding the ropes" is an idiom that refers to supporting the work of missions and ministry and is our theme for this year's Mission Impact Weekend here at LBC.
While the Great Commission is a command for all Christians, not every believer is called to move to another land to serve as a cross-cultural missionary. But many are, and these missionaries need Christians back home who, like Fuller with Carey, will "hold the ropes" for them as they spread the good news among unreached and underserved people groups. "Holding the ropes" is an idiom that refers to supporting the work of missions and ministry and is our theme for this year's Mission Impact Weekend here at LBC.
