Missions Blog for Churches

A blog serving missions leaders in the local church

May 8, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Ravi Zacharias Testimony

ravi-zachariasRavi Zacharias, well-known author and speaker, will be on of the plenary speakers at the 2013 PCA Global Missions Conference, November 8-10, 2013. Recently, Ravi wrote about some of his story and how God saved him while growing up in India. Click here to read the article.

Join us in Greenville, SC in November for this time of focusing on spreading God’s glory among the nations.

May 8, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Focus

population-map

Focus: it’s what helps us see clearly. And in a busy world with constant distractions and many different messages, we need to focus. As we consider global missions, this article can help us see an area of the world that we certainly should be involved in. And in particular, the image (to the right) is a helpful graphic for understanding what the article communicates. There is a huge (understatement) concentration of the earth’s population in a relatively small area of our planet. If we’re not engaged in this circle, something is wrong with our focus.

But don’t mistake information like, as helpful as it is, with the notion that this is the only place we need to be engaged. Sometimes we Christians can get unnecessarily hamstrung by these types of fads (e.g. 10/40 window). Yes, the information is helpful. We need to go after the unreached. But there are unreached in many places, and some are becoming re-unreached (Western Europe). We should also consider where we can go as well as where churches are asking for our help. If brothers and sisters in Latvia, Chile, Senegal, or Canada are asking us to engage with them and help, we shouldn’t write these off simply because of their geography.

Focus, yes. Know our world. But recognize the Spirit is like the wind, blowing where it will. Depend more on Him and His guidance in your efforts than on new insights like this.

April 4, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Atlanta Screening of Not Forgotten

The movie Not Forgotten, will show in Atlanta for its initial screening on April 23rd at Intown Community Church (PCA). Intown can be found at 2059 Lavista Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329. Admission is free and donations will be collected at the end to help begin translating Autism books for Ukrainian families.

This documentary was done by former MTW intern Matt Blick. Much of the work for this film and for the work this film supports is connected to PCA work in Ukraine. Please help spread the word to Atlanta area people, especially those who have a heart for children with special needs and their families.

March 27, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Tell Others about the 2013 GMC

The 2013 PCA Global Missions Conference is coming up this November 8-10, in Greenville, SC. We have a number resources to help you spread the word, the newest of which is this print-ready bulletin insert. There is also a video you can embed or download to show (click here). If you’d rather have it on DVD, contact us to request one. You may also request brochures and postcards to get the word out.

Today, we’re sending out an update that highlights the pre-conference.

PhillipLMercy is not optional. It is foundational to the gospel and church-planting. Learn more, and network with others who share this vision, during the Mercy Ministries Pre-Conference event November 7-8,  just prior to the PCA Global Missions Conference.

Keynote speaker Philip Langford of International Justice Mission (IJM) will highlight issues of justice in our own cities and throughout the world. Join us for sessions that will assist you and your church in becoming the hands and feet of the gospel.

Registration for the pre-conference is separate from the main Global Missions Conference. If you plan to attend both events (and we hope you do!), be sure to complete both registrations.

For more information about the preconference, click here or contact mercy@mtw.org. Space is limited to 300 attendees!

March 14, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

GYFM – Mexico Internship

Here is a fantastic video that shows one of the ways God is raising up and equipping the next generation of missionaries. MTW’s Global Youth and Family Ministries is “reaching the nations and the next generation.” GYFM leaders are ministering to Third Culture Kids (TCKs or missionary kids), equipping global youth leaders to reach the next generation, and ministering to students and young adults around the world. Click here to view their brochure.

By the way, this film was produced by Matt Blick of Magnum Digital Media. Matt served with MTW in Europe and is now producing outstanding digital media like this. One of his upcoming projects is a documentary about autism in Ukraine. It is called Not Forgotten and we will post details about its upcoming release very soon.

March 14, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Fighting Biblical Illiteracy

honduras-pastorThe Gospel Coalition is hard at work fighting biblical illiteracy. Many leaders in the US know TGC and have attended their conferences and read their blogs. But few seem to know about their international efforts to equip and resources pastors and churches around the world. Here is a story about how MTW missionary, Mike Pettengill, is connecting the resources from TGC and the needy pastors with which he works. Click here to read.

February 25, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Should We Still Send Long Term Missionaries?

Any time I hear this question, I have to guard my tongue so that I don’t lash out. I understand the sentiment behind it. The world has changed. The Gospel has moved forward. Equipping indigenous leaders is cheaper and more effective. But I simply can’t get past the biblical commandment to go and make disciples or the announcement Jesus made that we would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. First and foremost, it’s biblical. And I think it is a mandate until Jesus comes back. But there’s more to it than that, and Larry Brown expresses much of that in this article, entitled, Why is America Still Sending Long Term Missionaries?

February 18, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Addressing the Problem of Dependency

DSC_1894-130-XLI always get a little bit excited when then newest version of InVision arrives in my inbox. I don’t know if that makes me a missions geek or not. But the following example is one of many as to why I get so excited. This article on dependency, written by a veteran MTW missionary, is such a wonderful story of God working, not just in another nation but in the heart of the author. Dependency is a real issue that we need to be aware of, and unbiblical dependency is something we need to avoid. But there is a biblical dependency that happens when all involved apply the Gospel. I encourage you to read Addressing the Problem of Dependency.

February 13, 2013
by Seth W.
0 comments

Missionaries Should Communicate and Churches Should Demand It

IMG_2549MTW’s Mike Pettengill is at it again, this time calling missionaries and churches to be better communicators with one another. And he nails it. A part of each missionary’s job is to communicate back to his or her supporters. And a part of a supporting church’s responsibility is to communicate with their missionaries. I love the line, “Check in on them. Tell them you pray for them. Prove to them you’ve been reading their reports. Let them know their communication efforts are not in vain. Take your calling seriously.” (emphasis mine)

Read the article here.