Stories
The Impact of Short-Term Missions
An interview with Tom Buursma, the Field Director of World Team in the Philippines
Daniel: How did you get started in missions?
Tom: The story kind of starts at Urbana in 1996 for me. Some 20,000 students gathered there, and George Verwer, the head of OM (Operation Mobilisation), gets on stage with his global jacket and massive inflatable earth ball, you know. It was an experience for me; not just hearing his passion for the lost, not just the call to missions that he gave – what really moved my heart, more than anything else, was the way he prayed for the world and how he prayed for specific people groups and their needs.
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Competency: What Kind of Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Missionary?
The 4 C’s: Calling, Character, Chemistry, Competency
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
In a way, none of us is qualified to do God’s work, be it at home or overseas. Serving the Lord, especially in a fulltime capacity, is a tremendous privilege and a sacred responsibility, something that we are only able to do by God’s grace. Writing as an apostle, Paul affirmed in 2 Cor. 3:5 that “our competence comes from God” (NIV). At the same time, there are certain qualities that will help you to become a better cross-cultural worker, as we will highlight in the following.
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Why Is Paraguay a Mission Field?
The Significance of Diaspora Ministry in an Age of Global Migration
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
World Team is in the process of expanding its missionary work into Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and, at first glance, it may not be that obvious why this Latin American country is such a priority when it comes to fulfilling the Great Commission. After all, one could argue, Latin America is a continent with a strong Roman Catholic identity and a growing number of evangelical churches. Operation World, for instance, reports that 6.3% of Paraguay’s population is evangelical, while Joshua Project counts 8.01% in this category.1
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Will I Be a Good Fit on the Mission Field?
The 4 C’s: Calling, Character, Chemistry, Competency
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
Besides Calling and Character, we at World Team emphasize another key concept that starts with the letter “C” when it comes to describing the kind of candidates we are looking for. That word is Chemistry, which can be helpful in determining what kind of missions agency may be right for you and how you would fit into a specific team on a particular mission field. In the following, we will highlight a few points that you may want to consider.
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Why Translating the Bible Continues to Be Important
Article by Dave Hare, Bible Translator in Cameroon
Current surveys indicate that there are over 7,300 living languages in the world today. Of these languages, only about 700 languages (less than 10%) have a full translation of the Bible.1 Although this statistic is staggering, you might wonder if there is a need for the Bible to be translated into all the world’s languages. The answer is: No, not every language needs a Bible translation. In fact, as some languages are dying out, it is not the best use of resources to pursue translating the Bible for all of these groups.
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Why Is Having a Godly Character so Foundational for Missionaries?
The 4 C’s: Calling, Character, Chemistry, Competency
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
Growing in godly character is part of God’s salvific purposes for us as followers of Christ. As born-again believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us for service and leading us on a path toward sanctification, with the goal of becoming more like Jesus. Having fellowship with God and growing in godly character is an expression of God’s grace in our lives, which is of foundational importance when doing any kind of ministry. Growing in sanctification is therefore one of the most valuable things you can do as you are thinking about becoming a missionary, and it is something you can begin to do right now! Here are some questions and suggestions regarding important areas in which we all need to continue to grow.
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Called to Obedience
Pat and Jeannie Hartsfield are ordinary people. Long-time members of Davisville Church, they were used by God in many ways at church and in their local community. Pat earned a degree in Sports Medicine, became a manager of medical offices, and grew into the role of elder at Davisville. Jeannie received a Masters degree in family counseling, enjoyed homeschooling their three children, and led the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) ministry at church. Whether through work or church, they loved telling others about Jesus.
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How Do I know Whether God Is Calling Me to Become a Missionary?
The 4 C’s: Calling, Character, Chemistry, Competency
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
Many believers wonder, “Am I really called to missions?” It’s an important question because a sense of calling can sustain us in difficult times when the going gets rough. Becoming a missionary usually requires careful preparation and a sacrificial lifestyle, which is why it is crucial to have a high level of conviction regarding being in the center of God’s will. In the following, let’s look at a few principles that can help you in identifying God’s calling for your life, especially regarding cross-cultural ministry.
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What Should I Expect and How Can I Prepare for Short-Term Missions?
Article by Daniel Topf, PhD
A crucial aspect in cross-cultural ministry and when going on a mission trip is to manage one’s expectations. Serving in missions can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do in your life, but it can also be extremely challenging.
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The Hui of China
There are no short cuts in the work among the Hui—no canned evangelism programs. To build relationships that earn a hearing for the gospel requires patience, endurance, faith and love. Relationship building requires patience, love and faith!