Missions Blog for Churches

A new movie is being premiered soon (July 11, 2010) called Journey to Everest. I’m currently waiting to preview the entire movie. However, after seeing the trailer, this resource seems like it could be useful for many churches who want to use story and media to lead their folks to consider the world beyond their front door. The director of the movie, David Kiern, has asked that I share with you all that they are giving away free DVDs of Journey to Everest to any church that wishes to show the movie on July 11th. This can used in an equipping manner, but could also be used in outreach.

To find out more about the movie and to see the trailer online, visit www.journeytoeverest.com. You can also request to show it at your church via the website. As soon as I get a chance to see the movie I’ll post more details and my impressions.

by, Keith R. Bucklen

Missions. Contrary to a common man-centered view, it is not primarily about getting people into the kingdom. First and foremost, missions is about the glory of God. The blessing that man receives, both as the beneficiary of salvation and the instrument for the salvation of others, is a secondary (though inseparable) consequence.

Psalm 67 clearly expresses this link between God’s glory in missions and man’s blessing through an agrarian metaphor:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations. … (click here to continue reading this article)

Tomorrow at 7 pm, at the Orlando Marriott, is the start of the Going Global Conference, entitled, “Mobilizing for Missions.” Plenary speakers include R.C. Sproul, Elliott Greene, Carl Ellis, and others. The conference is sponsored by the Going Global Network, which is aimed at equipping leaders in the African American church. It is a free conference, but registration is requested. Visit www.goingglobalconf.com for more information and to register.

Join MTW Team Ecuador in Quito and Guayaquil for a long weekend of learning and experiencing the church planting work in Ecuador.

This trip is for lay missions leaders, session members, and other involved in missions, and will help those already interested in Ecuador to deepen their understanding and consider how their congregation may become more strategically involved in God’s work there. Members and potential members of the Ecuador partnership are highly encouraged to participate.

Participants would ideally travel to Quito on Thursday, November 6 and depart either late on the 10th or on the 11th.

The cost of the trip is $570 (plus airfare to/from Quito). This will include food, lodging, in-country transportation (including round-trip airfare to Guayaquil), insurance (required), and entry/exit taxes.

Click here for a complete brochure on the trip. (.pdf)

Contact Seth Wallace for more information at (678) 823-0004 x2145 or by email.

Come see the work of one of our new fields. Spend October 4-7, 2008 in Greece with MTW and national leadership to learn more about what is in store for the ministry there. This trip is primarily for those interested in serving through MTW in Greece and/or developing a team there. If you are interested in learning more, contact Opal Hardgrove by email or by phone at 678-823-0004 ext. 2302.

I met yesterday with a missions committee chairman from a PCA church that is probably average in size, maybe a little larger. It is by no means a mega church. Yet, when I asked about the missions vision for their body, I thought his response was a mega vision. Some time back they began praying that God would raise up from among their midst, at least one person each year who would go to the mission field. This is not for a 2-week trip, but actually pick up and move, raise support, go through assessment, the whole nine yards. As a result, they have seen a greater than average number of people go out from among them. In fact, the person who originally challenged them to begin praying like this is now a long term missionary with MTW.

And so I think this is worthwhile for leaders to ponder. How would God lead you to begin praying? What would happen if you consistently petitioned God to work in this way among your church? The fields are white unto harvest.

Come see the work of national church planters in three cities in Southern India, and view the progress of recovery from the tsunami-damaged area. Contact Bobbi Jo Brooks at 678-823-0004 ext. 2131 for more information. The trip is scheduled for October 7-17, 2008. This is a great opportunity to discover what God is doing in India, and how you and your church and be involved.

Sweden, Latvia and Lithuania Vision Trip
October 6-14, 2008

God is at work in the Baltic region and you are invited to see and experience Mission to the World’s ministry in this strategic area.  Veteran missionaries Gary and Linda Johnson (Sweden) and Carl and Becky Chaplin (Latvia) will be in-country hosts and the MTW Church Resourcing Director Jack Beall will be leading the trip.

Who are the participants?  PCA pastors and missions leaders.  Spouses are welcome, too!  Group is limited to twelve, so don’t delay!  Please pray and see how God may have you and your church partner with MTW in the Baltic region.

Cost:  $1,800.  Includes air and ground transportation, hotels (two people per room) meals and emergency evacuation insurance.  Scholarships available.
Registration:  Reserve your places by e-mailing or calling Ruth Ebbs rebbs@mtw.org or 678-823-0004 x2301.  A $200 deposit (check payable to Mission to the World) is required.  Balance is due by July 31, 2008.
Please mail checks to:
Ruth Ebbs
Mission to the World
1600 North Brown Road
Lawrenceville, GA  30043

Schedule (subject to change):
Monday: Group leaves Atlanta on the afternoon of Mon, 10/6.
Tuesday: Arrive in Linkoping, Sweden, late morning.  Tour around Linkoping, then drive to Tranas, Sweden.  Overnight in Tranas.
Wednesday: Overview of Gary Johnson’s Tranas ministry; join church group that evening for prayer time.  Overnight in Tranas.
Thursday: Travel to Stockholm; tour and see new MTW ministry, meet with local pastors. Overnight in Stockholm.
Friday: Flight from Stockholm to Riga, Latvia.   Tour the town that afternoon.  Dinner with national pastors and wives.  Overnight in Riga.
Saturday: Visit the Baltic Reformed Theological Seminary, see more of Riga and visit Reformed Church pastors.
Sunday: Worship 10 AM and 4 PM at two of the Reformed churches, drive to Vilnius, Lithuania, p.m.  Overnight in Vilnius.
Monday: Meet with president of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania.  Tour Vilnius.  Overnight in Vilnius.
Tuesday: Flight home from Vilnius.

Questions?  For more information, contact Jack Beall (jack.beallATmtw.org or 678-823-0004 x2335).

India will soon surpass China as the most populous nation on earth. And intense religious persecution is taking place in both countries. Recent reports have told of severe attacks on Christians in Orissa State, India. A number of churches were closed and Christians were not able to worship on Christmas Day.

However, there are some encouraging signs. Recently, an Indian man in his early 20s came to Christ, was discipled via chat-line by a PCA ruling elder from Texas, and ultimately was used by the Lord to establish a group of churches that expects to grow to 300 congregations in the next 10 years.

In spite of extensive persecution, the Church in India is moving aggressively ahead and growing by leaps and bounds. Will the Church in India see the same kind of growth as the Church in China? Click here to read more

Some 50 Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) students and pastors from across the U.S. traveled to Bay St. Louis, La., in December for a “blitz build,” effectively constructing a house in three days for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

The group, led and trained by MTW staff in partnership with Lagniappe Presbyterian Church, did everything from hauling trusses, building stud walls, and roofing and shingling to installing bathroom fixtures.

“It was really remarkable to see it all come together,” said Doug Mallow, senior project administrator for MTW. “It was a great experience for them and for us.” Click here to read more