As believers in Christ we are typically thankful for what Christ did on the cross for us. We really do not have the ability to fully understand all that he went through during the passion event. However, with Thanksgiving right around the corner this week I thought I would share like so many other what I am thankful for as a missionary. Of course this list is not in order and I have condensed it down due to the number of these people will read this week.

As a missionary I am thankful for technology that makes it easier to be away from family and friends. We can still see and interact with one another on a regular basis and the cost is relatively small. I am thankful that we can turn around and use some of this same technology to encourage others to share the gospel from America to the nations.

I am also thankful for supportive family. If you know a missionary that has any relative that says something along the lines of, “Are you done with that yet?” or “Well don’t you think its about time for you to come home” Statements like those cause missionaries to pull away from family members. Don’t get me wrong my family would love to have us back in the states. Like I have said before, its not easy. But they want us to be Obedient first.

I am also thankful for coworkers. Other missionaries that partner together to be family in times of need. I cannot remember the number of times that we have called on a coworker for help just like we would a family member close by in the states. I am also thankful for church partners that send out missionaries to the harvest. I am thankful for their partnership, purpose, and passion in fulfilling the great commission.

May the Lord give you peace and comfort this Thanksgiving.

Tags: Missionary, Churches

Recently I have talked with missionaries and church staff about the struggles of mission work. Many of us with a little experience will share willingly that no mission sending agency or church is without problems. Missionaries understand that we cannot change everything. We have to choose our battles, and lets be honest with one another, there are some things that are just not worth it.

I personally have let some items go. I recognize that I am not the person to change the system, no matter how much it needs to change. As I was having this conversation with another missionary couple they encouraged me to let go of the things I have no control over but at the same time not to give up on the items that I can change. I thought for a few minutes and realized that they were right. I can't just throw in the towel. Not that I really want to, I just need to adjust my attitude accordingly to bring about change in my life and in the lives of those I lead.

A couple of items that have always brought a great deal of comfort in my life is first and foremost is the understanding that God has a plan and is in control of my life, career, and sending organization. All I have to do is maintain my relationship with Him and be obedient to what He asks me to do. It's that simple. I know what your thinking, "Easier said than done." Of course it's easier said than done. If the Christian life was easy everyone would believe, act, and obey as we do. Another comfort I have found in my journey of life is that biblical success is based off of obedience. They only time success is mentioned in the Bible is when someone did exactly what God asked them to do. Knowing that is freeing to someone that is in the middle of a system that needs to change. Don’t get me wrong, the day might come when we will need to make a change in church or sending organization. But that time is not now. I am sure that many of you are approaching those crossroads in your ministry. 

So in the coming months as I prepare for yet another transition in my mission career, I ask you to join me in praying for better, healthier churches, who will send healthy members to the mission field in order to make disciples of all nations.

Tags: Churches, Organizations, attitude

Over the past couple of months Syria is gaining more and more attention in media outlets. This is not the only problem or difficult situation in the Arab world. Its just the main one in the media right now. I am asked on a regular basis about how Americans are received in the Middle East. Believe it or not, its a pretty simple answer. Arabs usually love American people but hate American Government. I know what your thinking, how can that be? But, Arab people see things are a little different than those of us from the West.

Generally Arab people desire relationships with what we call "Westerners" usually referring to people from the UK and the US. They want people in the West to know that not all Arabs are terrorists, or extremists. Yes, some people are Muslim and they do attend the Mosque for prayers. But most want to live in peace if at all possible. When I am asked about the situation in Syria from my Arab friends I usually respond with, "It is a terrible situation in which the only winner is war. I want peace if at all possible." This gives me the chance to talk to them about peace and eternal life. It is much easier to start a spiritual conversation with someone from the Arab world than those in the West because Arabs still use spiritual language in the everyday conversation. For Example: I would say, “Good Morning" or "How are you" to an Arab and he would say back, "Good Morning, Praise the Lord" or he might say, "I am good, thanks to God". This allows you to go one step further and share a reason or two why you are praising God today. Or it allows you to ask them why they are thanking God. Keep the conversation going, keep the focus back on the gospel. I recognize that you can do this in the West it just usually takes a little longer to get there.

For those "Westerners" that live in the Arab world it is your responsibility to be Light among these wonderful people. It is your responsibility to share with them what you believe and how it continues to change your life. It is also your responsibility to show the Arab world that not all Westerners are lost sinners that only care about themselves.

Be Light... Wherever you are.

Tags: Missionary, Churches

About a year ago David Platt challenged his church to dedicate 2% of their time to missions every year. As a missionary I got excited about the potential of new short and long term personnel headed to the field. I have had the privilege to work with some of these short and midterm members from Brookhills and am excited about their passion for the nations.

But recently it got me thinking. How much time do missionaries give their sending churches. Is it 2%? Do missionaries spend the right amount of time communicating and interacting with their sending churches? This is a great question for mission personnel to consider as we serve abroad. I understand that the relationship between sending church and missionary can be anywhere from great… to no relationship at all. In my first three year term I had five main sending churches. Only two communicated with us in those three years. It's sad I know. But it made me think of what missionaries can do to have better communication with sending churches.

So I am challenging all of those I lead and… anyone who happens to read this Blog, to spend two or more percent of their time communicating with their sending church. Dedicating two or more percent to interact, build relationships and community among the ones that pray for you and send you out to minister in the world. In my opinion it's a win, win and mission personnel need to take up this challenge with open arms.

Tags: Missionary, Churches, Platt, Brookhills

How can sending churches and missionaries create a partnership that lasts for years? Usually it starts with a plan. Team leaders receive a great deal of training, developing strategy plans for engaging a particular people group or urban segment with the gospel. Sending or base churches can easily be apart of these strategies. However it takes work on both sides. The missionary needs to communicate the strategy to the church and then the church needs to choose if they can or are willing to participate in any of the elements of the strategy.

Ty, this is great and all but what does this have to do with social media? Right now we are helping these strategy leaders integrate social media into their strategies. Some can see the potential while others cannot see how Facebook can be used in their strategy plans. That is where we come in to help them. Here are two items that churches can start doing today to partner with mission strategy.

First, church partners can manage social media advocacy for the UPG. Managing a Facebook Page or Twitter account can assist prayer awareness in the states. Trust me, from years of experience on the field, you want as many people praying for your people group as you can find. As missionaries send the church information about the UPG the church members can learn more and know better how to pray. Twitter is know for its Rapid communication style and urgent prayer requests can be sent around the world in a matter of moments. Social media fuels strategy.

Second, partnering church members can also look for people of peace in the social media world. Everyone knows at this point Facebook has over 1 Billion members from almost every nation. Thats 1 Billion potential people who need to hear the gospel. We are focusing on the unengaged and unreached people groups of the Middle East, but the use of social media for the gospel is limitless. I will post more about how churches and college students can share the message of the gospel on Facebook in another series of posts next month. If you can wait that long and want to know now just send me a message.

Tags: Prayer, Churches, Twitter, Facebook, Social Media