How can I ethically justify going to a “closed” country as an “undercover” missionary?
This question calls for two answers. First, no country has God-given authority to deny the right to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The early apostles declared this biblical principle when the Jewish Sanhedrin (ruling Council of Elders) ordered them not to teach in the name of Jesus. “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29) Second, missionaries who go with a business or educational visa, must be true to what they declare, and not simply use it for a cover. They may start a profitable business and employ nationals, teach English, do consulting or offer any service that the host country wants and gives a visa for. It is unethical, however, for missionaries to claim to be what they are not, or to enter a country under false pretenses. However, it is fully ethical to carry on a legitimate business, teach in a school, serve in a medical field or any other government-approved service and at the same time unapologetically serve as a witness for Jesus Christ. Most countries are wil
