Virtue and the Mission of God [Update 4]

This photo is from the orientation film at the Yangwhich Missionary Memorial Museum. "The most influential achievement Protestant missionaries made in Korea was to lay an educational foundation for the country by establishing educational institutions." 

[Update 4 of the 21-Day Missions Prayer Guide]

Scripture

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” — Colossians 3:12–14

Reflection: Virtue as Missionary Witness

At the opening of the OMF Global Leadership Development Intensive in Greece, mentors were asked why they had agreed to take on this role. Several responded with quiet emotion: “I wish there had been a mentoring program for me when I was an up-and-coming leader.”

Their responses underscored why this project was birthed. Leadership character and competence impact not only an organization, but also the people they guide, the communities they serve, and how the gospel itself is perceived. Skills do not develop by osmosis; they must be intentionally cultivated. These mentors had volunteered to invest deeply over the next 18 months in the lives of emerging leaders.

That humility, generosity, and willingness to serve is itself a form of virtue — discipleship modeled not only through words, but through example.

Developing servant-leaders connects directly to the missionary enterprise. The mission of God is proclaimed not only with words, but embodied in Christlike living. In the early church, virtuous living made the gospel credible. Countercultural living — honesty, sexual purity, compassion, and generosity — set Christians apart and drew others to faith.

A Historical Example: Missionaries in Korea

On our last day in Seoul we visited the Yanghwajin Missionary Memorial, where we were moved by the stories of the missionaries who first brought the gospel to Korea in 1885. They endured tremendous hardships — sickness, infant mortality, imprisonment, and even death — yet their legacy profoundly changed the nation.

The museum highlighted several ways in which Christian virtue was embodied through their service:

• Healing the Broken (1885 onward): The first task missionaries undertook was healing. In 1885 the Royal Hospital was built, followed by many others. By 1910 there were 29 Christian hospitals in 26 locations. “Christian hospitals practiced the love of Christ, and the missionaries lived devoted lives, giving medical assistance and treatment.”
• Reforming and Educating (1880s–1900s): Missionaries prioritized building schools and orphanages, often before planting churches. They welcomed children from abandoned, impoverished, or low-caste backgrounds and gave them access to education. Many of these students later became leaders in Korea’s modernization and independence movements. Education offered hope, and “those oppressed and beaten down by injustice, opened up their hearts to the gospel, and it supplied the words of freedom.”
• Proclaiming the Gospel: Even before missionaries arrived, the book of Mark had already been translated, and a small community of Korean Christians had formed, anticipating the completion of the full Bible. Missionaries accelerated this work, leading Bible studies and lectures across the country, especially in remote areas.

One striking example of their impact was the breaking down of the caste system. Butchers — long considered “unclean” and untouchable — were welcomed into churches as equals in Christ. Their acceptance challenged social barriers and demonstrated the radical inclusivity of the gospel.

Through these combined efforts — healing, education, proclaiming the Word, and embodying Christian virtue — the missionaries bore witness not just in word but in deed, transforming an entire nation. From 1885 through the 1960s, more than 3,000 missionaries served in Korea. Since the 1980s, the Korean church has grown into one of the largest missionary-sending movements in the world — second only to the United States.

This photo is a map of the missionaries sent by the one of the churches we visited in Seoul. 

Contemporary Witness

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams argued that self-government and liberty require a moral, virtuous populace to prevent chaos or tyranny. Charlie Kirk, shortly before his death, observed that what America — and indeed the world — most needs is a revival of Christian virtue.

The history of missions demonstrates this truth: cultures are transformed when Christians embody the gospel with integrity, humility, and love.

This is why Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 3 remains so vital. As missionaries, disciples, and leaders, we are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and above all love. These virtues are not only personal qualities; they are missional — declaring the goodness of God and the reality of His kingdom. Virtue makes the gospel believable.

Today’s Prayer Focus

Lord, thank You for the examples of virtue modeled by the OMF mentors who are investing in rising servant-leaders, and the early missionaries who transformed Korea. Their lives remind us that the mission of God is represented through Christian character as well as words.

Form in us the character of Christ. Help us to embody virtue in our words, our work, and our witness. May our lives be pleasing in Your sight and draw others to You. Raise up leaders — in Korea, Asia, America, and around the world — who will model Christlike humility, integrity, and love.

Raise up missionary laborers for the harvest to spread the fragrance of Christ among the nations, as Your Word says:

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” — 2 Corinthians 2:15

For the glory of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

✈️ Real-Time Update — September 26

Well, I’m writing this on Friday afternoon, September 26, Greek time. Since Wednesday I’ve been here at the retreat center in Sounion, leading worship with the mentors for the OMF Leadership Intensive. The weather has been amazing — azure blue skies, bright sunshine, and a steady breeze.

Today the country leaders are arriving, and tonight I’ll lead worship for our first joint session. Throughout the event I’ll be leading worship every morning and occasionally for other sessions.

These missionaries, their assignments, and their stories are both inspiring and humbling. I’ll be sharing more of those in upcoming updates. 

Personally, I feel pretty good health-wise (thanks be to God), though the jet lag from Korea has been intense. Thank you so much for your prayers — they are essential.

~ Rob