SIM International Director Malcolm McGregor

One of the challenges we have in SIM is that the countries we work in represent the poorest nations in the world today—countries like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique in Africa and Bolivia in South America, to mention just a few.

Historically SIM is a mission that has focused on sharing the Good News of Jesus with those who have never heard. But we have always lived this out in a holistic manner. Ministry to human need is part of our Mission Statement and also is one of our Core Values:

Concerned About Human Need
We humbly acknowledge that the ultimate human need is to know God. We also believe that he has called us to compassionate, holistic service in this broken world by alleviating suffering, fostering development and effecting change in society.

There is no greater need that we can meet in a person’s life than to help them understand all that God has done for them in sending his Son Jesus Christ. In a pluralistic age we humbly affirm this with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). But our work cannot stop there! As God works in our lives to make us more like Jesus, we begin to be challenged to live like him and to see the world in the way that Jesus saw it. So just how did Jesus live and how did he see the world?

Matthew 9:35 provides us with this wonderful description: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Jesus lived a pilgrim life focused on teaching, preaching, and healing. As he traveled, he helped people understand the Scriptures, he proclaimed to them the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and he restored people physically. It was a holistic ministry focused on the entire person—mind, spirit, and body.

And how did Jesus see the world? Matthew 9:36 tells us that, when Jesus was confronted by crowds, he had “compassion” for them. Why? Because he saw them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” He saw people as hurt and aimless, needing care and direction in their lives.

What then is our response to Jesus’ life and view of the world? Matthew 9:37-38 provides the answer! It is to get involved. First, through prayer and by working for his purposes in the world. Why does SIM get involved in ministry to human need? It is because we follow our Savior’s example.

“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’” (Matthew 9:37-38, NIV).