When I first told people I was going to Haiti I got more negative responses than positive ones. Someone even said "I think you all are crazy for going over there". Mark Batterson puts it best in his book "All In".
Mark Batterson – When did we start believing that God wants to send us to safe places to do easy things? Jesus didn’t die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. The will of God is not an insurance plan; it’s a daring plan. It’s time to quit living as if the purpose of your life is to arrive safely at death.
What is a Missionary?
Wikipedia: A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to proselytizeand/or perform ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development.[1][2] The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuitssent members abroad, derived from the Latin missionem (nom. missio), meaning "act of sending" or mittere, meaning "to send".[3] The word was used in light of its biblical usage; in the Latin translation of the Bible, Christ uses the word when sending the disciples to preach in his name.
Missionaries in the Bible
When looking for missionaries you don't need to look much farther than your bible. John the Baptist was the ultimate missionary.
- John preached with boldness (Matthew 3:1, 2; John 1:29-37).
- He knew Christ was the focus and not himself (John 1:20-23; John 3:28-30).
- Sometimes John doubted, but he always trusted Jesus’ direction (Luke 7:19-28).
So now what?
Once you have planned your trip there are a few important items you have to take care of. First you need a passport. The sooner the better, since it takes 4 to 8 weeks to get back. Next you need to find out what type of vaccines are required in the country you will be serving. Talk with your Doctor they will help set up your vaccines. Research the country or city you will be going to. Learn as much as you can about the people, the culture, the history. Talk to people who have gone on mission trips. They will give you insight.
The most important item to take care of is your spiritual health. Make time to do a mission trip related bible study. I was recommended Helping without hurting by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert to prepare for my mission trip. You can buy the book here http://www.cschristian.com/product/659894/Helping_Without_Hurting_in_Short_Term_Missions
It is also a good idea to have regular meetings and a retreat before you go so you can gel with your mission team. We have started having fundraisers. Tomorrow we are having our first dinner after church. We are making chili chips and cheese and serving sweet tea. We have a table set up at the door where people can make donations. Our dinner fundraisers do pretty good and we can have them once a month until our trip. Most of us will also write support letters and send them to family and friends. A support letter is a letter in which you tell your family and friends where you are going and what you will be doing and ask them to prayerfully consider making a donation towards your trip.
Here is a link to the slide show I will be showing the congregation before our benefit dinner: https://youtu.be/aG3DoMSt6Cs
The most important item to take care of is your spiritual health. Make time to do a mission trip related bible study. I was recommended Helping without hurting by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert to prepare for my mission trip. You can buy the book here http://www.cschristian.com/product/659894/Helping_Without_Hurting_in_Short_Term_Missions
It is also a good idea to have regular meetings and a retreat before you go so you can gel with your mission team. We have started having fundraisers. Tomorrow we are having our first dinner after church. We are making chili chips and cheese and serving sweet tea. We have a table set up at the door where people can make donations. Our dinner fundraisers do pretty good and we can have them once a month until our trip. Most of us will also write support letters and send them to family and friends. A support letter is a letter in which you tell your family and friends where you are going and what you will be doing and ask them to prayerfully consider making a donation towards your trip.
Here is a link to the slide show I will be showing the congregation before our benefit dinner: https://youtu.be/aG3DoMSt6Cs
http://www.ywam.org/get-involved/outreach-trips/
Missionaries in the bible
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/missionaries-in-the-bible-10-to-emulate/
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Missions/
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Missions/
www.facebook.com/thissinglemomneedsgrace
No comments:
Post a Comment