You might be tempted right now to skip this editorial and jump to the next page. I can just hear you say, "This guy is the editor of this magazine and Director of Adventist volunteers worldwide. I can guess exactly what he will say. His job depends on the success of this program. What else can he do but promote its value."

Hear me out, please! If you have been a volunteer, are now a volunteer, or if you know someone who is or was a volunteer, you will know that I am not just speaking words into the air. When I speak to volunteers or ex-volunteers, I usually get the same story. "What's it worth? I ask." They say that it is the best thing they have ever done; they are enriched by the experience; it has strengthened their faith and brought them closer to God; it has given them a broadened perspective on the world and its needs; it has given them an opportunity to test their gifts and an opportunity to serve; some say that it has changed the whole direction of their lives; they have made many new friends; and in many cases they have seen individuals baptized as a direct result of their efforts. Volunteering is worth more than anyone can measure.

But that is not the whole story. To the volunteer its worth is immeasurable. But think of the people where the missionary volunteer serves. How do you measure the value of the influence of a volunteer on the host people? These people are now exposed to the caring and interest of the missionary; they gain a new perspective on the world outside; and they receive spiritual and material support they would otherwise never know about; but best of all it affects their eternal destiny.

And there's more! What about the home church of the missionary? Usually they become involved in this whole experience. The home church prays continually for their missionary; they give more liberally to missions; the members develop a greater dedication to mission and the church. When the volunteer reports God's blessings in active service, the home church rejoices as they share in the volunteer’s success. The church becomes a pool of potential missionaries to serve at home and abroad; and they develop a new vision of what can be done to finish the work of God around the world.

What's it worth? It's worth an eternity of blessings multiplied by the number of volunteer missionaries who give their lives unselfishly so that souls can be saved!