The family of believers in Johannesburg, South Africa, gathered to send off fellow South Africans to serve as missionaries on another continent. Collin and Shireen Elliott left July 6 for their missionary assignment on the Asia-Pacific Region.  

Moroka Church of the Nazarene Pastor Tim and Tembi Mogorosi hosted the send-off service on June 20, inviting believers from surrounding churches to celebrate with the Elliotts, encourage them, and pray for the journey ahead. Participants enjoyed songs of praise and shared a meal together.

When God calls missionaries, He is also calling the church to support them in prayer and finances, Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator Mashangu Maluleka said at the service. Food and living expenses are much higher where the Elliotts are going to live. It's the churches job to support those whom God calls, Maluleka said. This includes taking care of retired pastors and leaders, he emphasized.

The send-off service is a reminder to believers to listen to God's call to serve, whether that be serving in another country or serving your neighbors across the street, Maluleka said. When God calls us, He equips us for the task, but He doesn't force us to follow, Malueka said. We must accept the call and take action, supported by our church family.

The following editor's note was included with the original article:

Out of Africa apologizes for wording used in previous articles that has led to confusion about missionaries from Africa. The Elliotts are not the first missionaries to be sent from Africa, but they are the first African missionaries on a global contract to serve in another region.  

"It is important to note that we do have other Nazarene African missionaries who are on a Global Missionary Contract who are serving in Africa," said Filimao Chambo, Africa regional director. 

Africans have served as missionaries, both with the Nazarene church and other organizations, for decades. One example is Ada Constance MacKenzie, a South African who served on a special assignment contract to Belize in the 1970s, followed by years of service in her home country.

Last year, 28 Africans served as missionaries on the Africa Region.

"We definitely celebrate and rejoice with the Church and those who have served in these capacities and other different types of contracts and conditions," Chambo said. "What we are celebrating now is the deployment of the Elliotts as the first African missionaries on a global missionary contract to be sent to another region."

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa