HEIDI BAKER
MISSIONS
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20.
Heidi Baker is one of the most inspirational figures. Ever since my early teen years, I have looked up to Heidi and all that she represents.
For those who don’t know, Heidi Baker, also known as “Mama Heidi” to thousands of children, is a renowned missionary and powerful woman of God.
Heidi and her husband Rolland founded Iris Global in 1980 and began ministering together in Asia. In 1995 they were called to the poorest country in the world at the time, Mozambique and faced an extreme test of the Gospel. They began by pouring out their lives among abandoned street children, and as the Holy Spirit moved miraculously in many ways a revival movement spread to adults, pastors, churches and then throughout the bush all across Mozambique’s ten provinces.
Today, Heidi and Rolland oversee a broad holistic ministry that includes Bible schools, medical clinics, church-based orphan care, well drilling, primary schools, evangelistic and healing outreaches in remote villages and a network of thousands of churches.
We asked Heidi what she believes intimacy with Jesus looks like and as a missionary, what are some of the shifts in our thinking that need to happen to let the love of Christ compel us into the darkest, hardest places.
Intimacy with Jesus looks like Him being your very best friend. The first one you talk to in the morning and someone you spend the day listening to and talking with through the scriptures and through your prayers. He is never out of your thoughts, your heart, He is always moving with you and in you
Heidi often talks about the concept of “going low” , which is when we understand who we belong to, and who we are in Christ, we can defy our human nature to be bigger and to be seen, humble ourselves and ‘go low’ like Jesus. Heidi explains how Jesus' full extent of His love is demonstrated by washing His disciples’ feet. To remove outer garments, to pour out water (which, in the Middle East is a precious resource), and voluntarily take the posture of a servant was a demonstration of Christ’s love for His disciples and for us.
When it comes to shifting our thinking to let the love of Christ compel us in the hardest and darkest places. I think one of the major shifts is sometimes going lower and slower, that is actually going to reach more people.
We are called to be intimate lovers of Jesus, to go low and slow, and to stop for the one. Especially, when we are called to go to the darkest places on the planet.
I feel like sometimes missionaries have gone out to unreached people thinking they are the main teacher and expect a shift based on this. But the shift I feel takes place when you take the time to listen, take the time to really learn the language, and always model what you do after the life of Jesus. Jesus was born a baby, He emptied Himself completely out and He learned the language, He Learned the culture and that is the way we are called to work.
Thank you for asking me to share with your young readers, it is an honor, it really touched my heart and I am really grateful. I am so grateful that these young women want to serve the Lord in right living, in love, in purity.
I want to say to all the women who have a heart for missions to remember that it’s not an either/or when it comes to your families. A lot of you are going to be mothers in the future and you are going to be raising your children, so it's not an ‘either go to the missionary field’ or ‘raise your children’ decision, just believe God to take them with you and to pour your life into loving them well and helping them to know Jesus. Slow down enough for your family and then allow the Holy Spirit to show you the rhythm of the heartbeat of God. Remember that you belong to the Father and He is Good, He is kind, and there is a rhythm of His Heart that delights His heart and if you catch that rhythm you will be able to last longer and be able to run the race until He takes you home.
Always let everything you do flow out of your intimacy with Jesus. John 13-17 are really key scriptures for me as I look at those wanting to enter into the missions field, and into ministry and mission.
Also remember Ephesians 6, put on that full armor of God every day. Enjoy the Lord, as the joy of the Lord is your strength. Remember the cup He has asked you to drink is joy and suffering, and there is always enough joy for the job. Suffering is to see the lost, to see the sick, and to see the dying and the joy is knowing there is always enough in and through the love of Jesus.
I bless you all and I pray you all serve Him for the rest of your lives.
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