“A Missionary’s Perspective”
Volunteer opportunities in the global movement have attracted believers of all ages. Large numbers of young people go on short-term mission trips during times they are not in school. Volunteer mission services vary weekend trips across a nearby border, from one to three week trips. Adults of all ages who have prayed for and given money to mission’s efforts are jumping at the chance to do hands on mission work for brief periods (Gailey, Culbertson p 119).
These short-term mission participants cross cultural and geographic boundaries to use God-given skills and talents to do construction, teach English, set up computer centers, work in orphanages, fit eyeglasses, and tutor missionary children. Also, they help with
N.T. Wright: During my first semester at Northwestern College, I was assigned the book, “The Challenge of Jesus” by N.T. Wright for one of my Biblical Studies courses. This book and every other book Tom Wright has written has dramatically impacted my Christian faith. Dr. Wright has not only defended the basic tenants of the Christian faith, but also has shown how an academically-minded pastor ought to love and care for his or her congregants. N.T. Wright was previously the Bishop of Durham and pastored some of the poorest in the United Kingdom. His pastoral ministry has helped shape his understanding of God’s kingdom-vision which he is diagramming within his magnum opus “Christian Origins and the Question of God”. This series has instructed myself and countless other pastors to be for God’s kingdom as we eagerly await Christ’s return. Additionally, I have had the privilege of meeting with N.T. Wright one-on-one on numerous occasions to discuss faith, the Church, and his research. I firmly believe Tom Wright is the greatest New Testament scholar of our generation and he is the primary reason why I feel called into ministry.
Volunteering is productive. It also gives a satisfying feeling, knowing that one is helping people in need. Last year, in the process of getting confirmed in the Catholic Church, this writer preformed charity work such as serving food to homeless people at the Dorothy Day House. At first it seemed that doing charity work would be boring, but it was actually fun, helped people, and made a difference in their lives.
Tennent, Timothy C. 2010. Invitation To World Missions. 1st ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
Journal of International Development, No.10; pp. 427. Anonymous (1995). Make a Difference: An Outline Volunteering Strategy for the UK, Volunteering Unit, Home Office Public Relations Branch, London. Eberts, Marjorie and Margaret Gisler (1991). Careers for Good Samaritans and Other Humanitarian Types.
Many people would not believe that worldview would be involved in the topic of work, but it certainly is. Worldview stretches throughout almost every facet of our lives and is even an intricate part of work. Christian and secular viewpoints differ immensely when it comes to work. Many Christians believe that work is an intricate part of God’s plan for mankind while the secular viewpoint sees it as more of a personal, everyday activity the serves no more of a purpose that that of personal success. The secular worldview has distorted the context of work and only the Christian worldview can redeem it to its original context.
This is when said person raises money and takes off time to go over to help the poorer countries like Africa. They can be going over there to help build houses, plant gardens, and often times just to spread their joy with the children and families that live there. A mission trip is an amazing opportunity not a responsibility to go out of the comfort of you perfect house and step into the dirt floors of other countries. Open up your hearts to help other people, not because of the responsibility that has been bestowed upon you, because you don’t have a responsibility, but do it because you have been blessed with an opportunity to help other
Throughout my college experience, I have gone on multiple missions trips. I could say with confidence that I feel as
Jones, Marge, and E. Grant Jones. Psychology of Missionary Adjustment. Springfield, Missouri: Logion Press, 1994.
A minister of Jesus Christ is some one who is used to convey the will of Jesus Christ. This is a title that is special indeed, but not so exclusive that there should only be one minister of Christ per church like there would be one pastor per church. Any one who is a born-again individual can be a minister of Jesus Christ, but does this mean that you are necessary called to be a minister of Jesus Christ?
Parents should teach their children to have a missionary spirit. They should mold their children’s mind to interest in the work of God. It is important for the parents to shape their children’s interest toward the spreading of the Gospel. Let us see the counsel:
Paul's first missionary journey was to the island of Cyprus. Salamis was there first destination on the island. During his stay in Salamis Paul and Barnabas preached in the Jewish synagogues, while John also ministered with them. The next stop Paul and Barnabas made was Paphos at the almost opposite end of Cyprus. While in Paphos they found a Governor called Sergius Paulus who wanted to hear their teachings. However, the Governor had sorcerer, Elymas, in his company, who did not want him to hear the word of God. Paul being filled with the Holy Ghost admonished Elymas and said, "O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season" (Acts 13:10-11). Elymas being struck blind astonished the Governor and he believed the word of the Lord that apostles had spoken to him. After leaving Paphos John returned to Jerusalem.
It may seem a little bit strange, but my favorite place in town in none other than this beautiful Evangelic Church. However, it wasn’t always so.
The purpose of evangelism and discipleship is to make Jesus Christ our Lord. While these terms involve two different steps, they are the same process. One does not take precedence over the other; both are required for the believer. Thusly, evangelism is more so a term that is engulfed over the magnitude of discipleship, as coming to know God is to follow him. Also, Jesus did not say to make Christians, or converts, but to “go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19)! In this process of discipleship, one cannot be a disciple without becoming a sheep. The sheep follows the shepherd. While the shepherd Psalm is recognized for its individualized account of God, the irony exists in that the sheep doesn’t exist outside of a flock. The sheep is innocent,
Evangelism is one of the key component for changing people’s lives. McRaney states, “The word evangelism comes from a combination of Greek words for “good” and “messenger.” Evangelism involves bringing the goods. Kent Hunter reminded us that “when Christians witness, they tell how Jesus Christ has changed their own lives. The change in their own lives gives them the desires to share the Good News with others.” Christians must share their testimony to people and spread the gospel so that they can bring lost souls to Christ. God has commissioned every Christian to evangelize so that people will learn about Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal savior. Matthew 28:19 states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Christians are required to spread the Gospel throughout the world and can no longer just attend church. Christians must plant seeds and water the seeds so that lost souls will be saved.
As a student at the University of Portland, who has now spent a semester living amidst the Catholic culture, I have started to think about religion fundamentally different than prior to this year. Theology class has been enlightening. In class, a new external lens of how one can view faith while learning to think critically in the search of truth has been presented. The inquisitiveness in me has led me to ask hard questions regarding myself, my perceptions, my misconceptions, and even some heartfelt convictions while contemplating my faith. I have experienced legitimate struggles. I acknowledge I have ignorant barriers keeping me from totally living a life with God and for God due to the confusion of exactly what that means. “All truths are