Belayers

By Alan Brooks

Recently, while reading a daily devotional guide, I came across a word I did not know­­— belayers. This word was being used to refer to mountain climbing. Though I have had the exhausting, excitement of climbing to the top of a few mountain peaks in my life, I have never done it with the need of ropes and anchor supports. When people attempt to climb to a rugged peak, they have to take serious precautions as they scale sheer cliffs. One of the safety features is a line that is always connected to a person below, who is called the “belayer.”

Wikipedia states, “As the climber moves on the climb, the belayer must remove the slack from the rope by playing out or pulling in excess rope. If the climber falls, then they will free-fall the distance of the slack or unprotected rope before friction applied by the belayer will start to slow their descent.” Thus, if the climber loses his balance or falls, the belayer holds him securely until he can regain his footing and continue his ascent or descent.

As I read this, my mind quickly went to the job here at Baptist International Missions. Part of our job here is to “take up the slack” and to “hold the ropes” in assisting our missionaries as they attempt to “climb the mountains” that God puts before them. Yes, a person can launch out on his own without any support group and he might just make it to the top, but the job can be accomplished much quicker and without as much danger with a “belayer.” I also understand that we (BIMI) are not the “Anchor,” but our Lord is our security and His local church is to be the belayer. But God has allowed BIMI to be the rope to connect the missionary to the local church.

As I was continuing to study up on the duty of a belayer, I was intrigued by the comparison that can be made. It was further stated: “It is extremely important for the belayer to concentrate on the climber’s situation, as their role is crucial for the climber’s safety…they must be alert and ready to perform this action at a moment’s notice. Communication is also extremely important in belaying. Climbers should wait for a verbal confirmation from the belayer that they are ready to begin. Usually the belayer will say ‘On Belay’ or ‘Climb Ready.’ This is usually acknowledged by the climber saying ‘Climbing.’ During the climb, the climber may ask the belayer for ‘Slack,’ ‘Tension,’ warn of a ‘Rock!’ or that they are about to be ‘Falling!’”

Apostle Paul was a belayer for many churches, including the Thessalonian Church. The believers were going through much trouble. He encouraged them to continue trusting the Lord and prayed for them. A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up and going on.

Just as in mountain climbing, communication is extremely important. This is why we have directors, field conferences, personnel committee meetings, quarterly reports, websites, email, prayer letter services, tax assistance and the list can go on and on. We here at Baptist International Missions seek diligently to assist God’s climbers (missionaries) to reach the goals that God has placed before them. Many of the directors, secretaries, helpers do not get to reach the “summit” as do the missionaries but they make it possible for them.

This issue of “Sounding” further contains an article by Dr. James Ray which emphasizes the importance of the mission board. Dr. Ray’s article illustrates the need for a good “belayer” to assist the missionary climb the mountain peaks for God.