From the beginning, the message of the gospel has been one of hope, redemption, and restoration meant for every nation, culture, and language. Caring about global missions means recognizing that faith is not meant to be kept private or local, but shared compassionately and humbly with the world. By engaging in global missions, we live out our calling to be a light in the world, helping to bring hope and transformation to places where it is most needed. But how do we join in global missions without actually going overseas?
Great question.
1. Befriend a Missionary
This may seem obvious, but moving overseas, learning a new language, studying culture, starting church planting movements-these are all, to say the least, challenging. Discouragement comes quickly when you’ve made your 5th cultural faux-pas of the day before lunch. So, if you know a missionary, send encouraging texts. Shoot them an email. Don’t personally know a missionary? Ask your church if they support someone. Look up missions agencies in your community. Talk to people who are preparing to launch. Remind them they have people on their team!
2. Be a “Squeaky Wheel”
Out of sight out of mind. This applies to so many overseas workers. They might be speaking in front of the church, meeting with small groups, having dinner with people, raising funds, raising awareness, for months before they launch. And then they leave. They aren’t at the Bible study anymore. They aren’t making announcements at church. They aren’t hosting a fundraiser. So who is making sure people remember to pray for them? You can! Be the squeaky wheel when missionaries are overseas. Remind your church leadership to make announcements from the front of the church. Remember to pray for them at your Bible studies. You can be the one who keeps talking about the mission so others don’t forget.
3. Be the Email Responder
This is such a small move that can make a huge difference. Seriously. As someone who sends out a regular ministry newsletter, you have no idea how encouraging it is to hear back from people when they get the newsletter. It is also, unfortunately, a rare occurrence. The reply rate can be abysmally low for most overseas workers. Even a quick “Thanks for the update! Praying for you!” can go a long way to fight discouragement, especially for those who have been on the field for a long period of time.
4. Take a Trip
At The Wellspring we cannot recommend enough how life changing taking a short term trip can be. What if every family of believers traded one family vacation every 5 years for a mission trip? What if we put ourselves in long term workers’ shoes, even just for a week? Not only would it change us forever, it would change the world.
5. Pray
I know it seems obvious, but we do believe prayer changes the world. Real, focused prayer for the Nations. Prayer for global workers. Prayer for our communities. It is essential.
We believe we all have a call to missions. For some, it’s a full time vocational calling. For others, it’s the role of Encourager, Financial Partner, Prayer Partner, Short Term Trip Taker. Whatever your role is, let’s work together to share the love of Jesus with the whole world.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the mission.
By donating to the ministry, you become a partner in making Jesus famous. Let’s work together to spread the love of Christ to all the nations of the world.
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