Missions Conference Snapshots

Mothers Opportunities for Missionary Service

In the M.O.M.S. booth we wanted to inspire the mothers that their calling was no less vital to the missionary cause than that of those who actually get on an airplane and go to a foreign land. Using the example of Susanna Wesley who homeschooled a large family and who raised up children who shook the world of their day for Christ, we encouraged the sisters that they too could have a powerful ministry by fully embracing “missionary motherhood.”

The three areas we focused on were the ideas that:

1. You are a missionary now, in this field called America, just by being a godly mother.
2. You can raise your children to be missionaries by the way you live your daily life, the choices you make, and the priorities you set.
3. You and your children can be a support unit for foreign missionaries now, by corresponding with, praying for, and giving to those on the foreign fields.

We emphasized the five priorities of:

1. A vibrant relationship with God
2. A vibrant relationship with our husband
3. Sweet relationships with our children that we have their hearts
4. Taking those yielded hearts and consistently training them to know, love, and serve God
5. Serving others together as a family that we and they might become “addicted” to the ministry

Ghana Education Service

The presentation at the GES booth started with a short school teaching. We all stepped into an African classroom for a few minutes as Hillel taught an eager group of students. We saw that having a love for children and creativity were two important aspects—more important than being an expert in English.

John shared of beautiful opportunities of reaching into student lives,and how that was a door to many opportunities for service. For some it was standing behind one of the missionaries in helping with the more physical part of their workload. In Tamale a GES couple is doing logistical and business things, filling a very valuable role for those in the North.

Lastly, a few of us shared personally of the opportunities we had for village ministry. Weekends and evenings were spent in sharing basic Bible teachings with little gatherings in villages and in one on-one-time with local leaders. The girls also filled a needed spot in reaching out to the village women. The concept of religion being only for the men needed to be broken for many of them to see that God was personlly calling to them. We all heartily agreed that the two years God allowed us to have in Ghana were life-changing and a real opportunity for missionary preparation. The challenge was put forth to all of us to be available for the spots God may have for us to fill all over the world.

The Sacrificial Lifestyle of a Kingdom Conscious Christian

“ I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…which is your reasonable service” (Rom.12:1).

With this verse on a four-foot-square stone altar, and with the title hanging above us, we sought to challenge each of our lives to truly climb up on the altar and stay there—a life totally given as a sacrifice to our Lord for the furtherance of His Kingdom. Yes, a living sacrifice, but not sacrifice in the sense of something special. A life that is totally lost in pouring out for the sake of lifting up Christ’s name, is only our reasonable service—no matter the cost!

But how do we practically apply this wonderful theology? Money, Time, and People were the three categories we used to encompass all of life. Every time we spend one dollar or one minute or meet one person, we need to ask the Kingdom-Conscious Christian’s Question: “Will it count for the Kingdom?” We need to look at every $3 item we pick up and say, “This is worth more to me than another Bible to China”… and every three minutes we spend, “This is worth more than these three minutes in prayer”… and every person we meet, “This relationship will make a difference for eternity.” This helps us bring this wonderful theology down to everyday practicality.

“ I beseech you” Paul says, “to be Kingdom-Conscious Christians.” And may we learn to ask that question: “Will it Count for the Kingdom?”

The Challenging Force of Islam

Muslims are one of the most unreached peoples in the world. Actually, 1 out of every 5 people in the world would be considered a Muslim. There are literally millions of Muslims who are yet languishing in deception and darkness, outside the reach of the liberating Gospel of Christ! Thousands of Muslims surge over our American borders every year. It is imperative for us to learn about them and their belief system so that we can effectively witness the good news of Christ to them. I’ve been burdened with the fact that we get so much other “distracting” information about the Muslim people that we lose our love and burden for their souls as our fellow men for whom Christ died.

During Missions conference we gave a presentation about the Muslims basic belief system and some of the more effective ways in reaching these peoples. We shared about their views of the Trinity, Mohammad, and the Quran.

Creative Access and Tentmaking Missions

As we look around the world today and consider the need for a gospel witness among all peoples, we soon recognize that many of the neediest places are also the most difficult to access by missionaries, having their borders shut to “standard” missionary efforts. Since we still have a responsibility to those people to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must find a way to access them. We have many examples in history of missionaries who went with skills and tools that made them an integral part of the community they were serving, and in that way “made room” for the preaching of the gospel. The term “tentmaking“ comes from the Apostle Paul’s example of making tents for a living as he preached the gospel. Creative access is a term that refers to gaining access into areas otherwise closed to the gospel, with a needed skill or trade. Thus, the two terms go hand-in-hand and are in many ways synonomous.

There are as many opportunities for tentmaking as there are different trades and skills. However, there are some that are very much in demand, and others that would have only limited usefulness in gaining access to a country. Some require additional education and or a degree, and some require very little more than practical experience and a working knowledge of the subject. This is not some big thing that only a few can do. Almost everyone of us could find something in our scope of experience or training; all it takes is a bit of research and maybe some additional preparation time. The important thing is that our heart is beating with the heart of God for the souls of men. He will open the doors for us in the places that He desires to place us as a witness!

There is much more that could be said about these things, but that is more than this brief glimpse affords. We had a number of handouts at the booth. Extra copies are available for anyone who desires them. (Contact the Charity Christian Missions office). We looked at various aspects of tentmaking missions. We also put forth some cautions and concerns that need to be considered, especially if we are looking at further education and/or a degree. As we preach the gospel, we do not want to become a castaway ourselves (1 Cor 9:24-27)! God bless you as you find your part in God’s great harvest fields!!