EP 2: Dear Young Minister, You Are Sent

Simi Deleawe reflects on Matthew 9:35-38, discussing Jesus's ministry and the need for laborers to help those who are spiritually lost. She stresses that the process of being sent can be uncomfortable and requires significant effort, likening it to the labor-intensive process of harvesting wheat. The term "ekballo," meaning to send forcefully, illustrates that this sending often comes with challenges that require individuals to step outside their comfort zones.

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Transcript

 Hey everyone, my name is Simi Deleawe, and welcome to *Dear Young Minister*. I am your host, and I appreciate you coming back. Today, on *Dear Young Minister*, I want to emphasize that **you are sent**. You are sent to Hollywood, to your family, to the law and the courtroom, to hospitals, and to the streets. You are sent beyond the church. It's crucial for you to understand that while some of us are sent to the church, others are called to reach out to those who are unchurched—those who want nothing to do with Jesus, who may be in our makeup chairs or getting their hair done.

You are sent, you are sent, you are sent! I want to discuss what it means to be sent as a minister—someone who is genuinely walking in alignment with God's will for their life. Ministry does not conform to a single image; it is not just about standing on a stage delivering a sermon on Sunday. It's not solely about leading Bible studies or small groups or having a Christian presence on social media. While those roles are valuable, as a minister, you are called to serve in places that may not be traditional.

Let me clarify: **you are sent to places that are outside the church**.

You are sent to places that are not necessarily the church. I want you to become comfortable with the fact that God may be using your business, such as organizing people's homes, as a platform for ministry. Let's look at the anchor scripture for the Young Minister Podcast, Matthew chapter 9, verses 35 to 38.

God began to show me this scripture last year when He started speaking to me about the idea of being a minister, and more specifically, being a laborer. I wish we would say, "I am a laborer of the gospel" or "I labor for the kingdom of God." If we called ourselves laborers instead of pastors, ministers, or worship leaders, I believe people would better understand the weight of what they're signing up for, and it would be less romanticized. We live in a generation that doesn't want to labor; we like the "soft life." But there's a time for that, and there's a time to say, "I am on a mission trip to the campus, to my family. I am on assignment. This is not about me."

I feel like this aspect of understanding that the work God has called you to is not about you is missing. I wish we would use the most foundational term, which is "laborer," because that's really what it's called.

Matthew 9:35-38 says: "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the good news about the kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'"

Let's take some time to understand this scripture. We see Jesus on a ministry tour, healing the sick, casting out demons, and delivering the oppressed. He recognizes that although He is doing this work, people are still lost, confused, and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. This shows us that while God will do His work, meet people, deliver them, and set them free, there's an aspect where God is saying, "I need my laborers to rise up and begin to work." They are the ones discipling, helping, and encouraging the harvest.

When you plant a seed, the harvest begins to grow, but someone needs to actually pick the fruit or harvest the wheat. The analogy in this scripture refers to the harvest of wheat, which is a tedious process. Yes, you plant the seed and it grows, but after it grows, you need to pluck it up.
You need to bundle it, leave it out to dry, and then separate the wheat from the chaff. There's a process for harvesting wheat to make it edible. Every aspect of the wheat plant is useful - some parts are eaten, some used in farming, and some for clothing. Harvesting wheat is valuable but requires significant time, energy, and resources. It's labor-intensive.

When Jesus looks out and sees people He's healed who want to know Him more and follow Him, He needs laborers to arise. Jesus's job is to meet and deliver people, but after that initial encounter, where will they go for Bible study or discipleship? Who will show them how to live a holy life while being young? An unharvested plant loses its value and can become a playground for the enemy.

Jesus is saying that many people want to know about Him - the harvest is clear. God draws people to Himself, so we don't need to worry about that part. But when people are looking for power, answers, and solutions to live a godly life, we need laborers who understand they are sent to various places - corporate America, the workplace, the streets, jails - to teach people how to live like Jesus.

We need people willing to labor - to check in on others, pray for them, fast for a generation that needs Jesus, and trust God for revival in their families and on campuses. There are many who've had encounters with God but need someone to guide them in kingdom principles. Zeal without knowledge can be dangerous, leading people away from Jesus if they don't understand the keys, tools, and principles of prayer and God's will.

Matthew 9:37 says, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." God sends workers; workers don't send themselves. When God sends you, you'll know it's Him. We must ask ourselves if our desire for ministry is selfish ambition or if God has truly sent us.

I urge everyone: do not send yourself. God needs laborers, but He must be the one to send you. If you send yourself, you're likely not covered or directed by God, but acting on emotions and vibes. Just because your father is a pastor or your friend is in ministry doesn't mean God has sent you yet. You need to be sent in God's timing, not your own. When God sends you, it will look different from the comfortable way you might send yourself. It won't be just a cute gathering or a fun brunch to deal with trauma. When God sends you, it will be evident that He has done so.
 I began to study the word "send" in Greek, and what I discovered was deeply moving. In Matthew 9:38, where it says, "Ask him to send more laborers into his fields," the Greek word used for "send" is "ekballo." This word struck me because it's the same word used when the Bible describes Jesus casting out demons.

"Ekballo" means to send, but with force. It implies forcefully pushing or thrusting. It's an aggressive, uncomfortable word. It suggests that the one being sent might not necessarily want to go, but they are propelled into action. The fact that it's the same word used for expelling demons helps us understand that the sending process is often uncomfortable and frustrating - something most people wouldn't willingly choose.

Reflecting on my own journey, I realize I was "ekballo-ed" - forcefully sent. As a college freshman, when God instructed me to start a Bible study, it seemed cute at first. But as time progressed, I realized I had agreed to something extremely challenging. It meant being branded as the face of a Christian organization, requiring me to be a good example even when I felt inadequate. It meant being left out of certain social events, having to forgive when I was the one offended, and leading others even when I felt I needed guidance myself.

This forceful sending often feels uncomfortable, pushing us far outside our comfort zones. But this discomfort is purposeful - it develops and evolves us, enabling us to endure things that align us more closely with God's calling for our lives.

Interestingly, in Matthew 10, when Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, a different Greek word is used - "apostello," from which we get the word "apostle." This sending involves empowerment and clear instruction. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that the "ekballo" sending is a training season. Laborers aren't born; they're trained.

Everything you go through - when you feel the world is against you, when God seems to be making you forgive, surrender, let go of bitterness, and deal with trauma - is part of this training season. God is preparing you not for where you are today, but for where He's taking you. He's training you for when He calls and commissions you.

Before you can be sent on an apostolic mission ("apostello"), you will be forcefully sent ("ekballo"). God will deal with things you might never choose to address yourself. This process, though difficult, is crucial in preparing you for the purpose and plan God has for your life.
Dear young minister, God is sending you. He's calling you to places you may never have imagined. But you must be trained, and this training occurs in the season of "ekballo" (forceful sending). During this time, God may ask you to:

- Submit to people who know less than you
- Love the unlovable
- Surrender your will, emotions, and fleshly desires
- Train in His Word and receive fresh revelation
- Learn how He speaks to you

This process prepares you for the "apostello" sending, where you'll receive greater power and authority in the spiritual realm. You can't forfeit this process without forfeiting your God-given assignment on earth.

I encourage you to lean into this process. Here are some tips based on my experience:

1. Find community: Connect with others who are also being forcefully sent or have gone through this process.

2. Seek mentorship: Take advantage of good leadership and don't be afraid to ask questions.

3. Make church a priority: Ensure you're connected to a godly community.

4. Stay in the Word daily: Understand that this journey is by the Spirit, not by your own power.

5. Pursue growth: Attend leadership training, workshops, and seek information to grow through discomfort.

6. Learn from my mistakes: I wish I had gotten into community quicker, which might have made me more effective.

If this message blessed you, please share it with a friend. Study Matthew 9:35-38. Remember, you're not alone. You're sent on purpose and on assignment. It won't be comfortable, but knowing this can help you brace yourself and prepare for the discomfort.

Dear young minister, you are sent. God bless you.