The Lausanne Movement describes integral mission as a style of mission that recognizes “no biblical dichotomy between evangelistic and social responsibility.” Putting this concept into the form of an action statement, we might say that integral mission is “integrating the proclamation of the gospel and social action.”
In my last post, we visited God’s heart for social justice by listening in on a conversation between a child and a parent. Additionally, we visited Isaiah 1:17, which is a clear invitation to correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the cause of widows.
I was driving down a popular boulevard in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In a grassy area along the boulevard, I saw a man lift up his iron rod that served as a cane to strike a woman over her head. Without thinking, I slammed on my brakes, jumped out of my vehicle, and inserted myself between the man and woman to prevent a terrible tragedy of domestic violence. I stopped the bleeding anyway. I deescalated the situation. It was my spontaneous effort to participate in social justice.
My dog howled every time I hit a certain note on my bamboo flute. He would lift up his head and cry as if he were calling upon a sweetheart in another village. I am not musically inclined in any form or fashion, but it was about time I learned more about Cambodian music and learn how to play at least one traditional instrument, even if it was only my dog who appreciated my level of playing.
When serving in Cambodia as a vocational missionary, I saw many missionaries come and go. I used to call Cambodia “the spitting dragon,” because it chewed people up and spit them out.
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