MissionsPlace Blog
News updates and Resources for Missionaries
Missions, Technology, and the Way Forward
The World Wide Web has been with us for over 20 years now. And a lot has happened in that time! For better or worse, the way we communicate with one another and the world around us has changed. While there are undoubtedly some negative consequences to technology, there’s also great opportunity. Here’s a look at just a few of the benefits of using web technology to share your story.
Some Foundations of Fruit Bearing
In John 15:8, Jesus points to “much fruit” as proof that we are His disciples. For more than three decades I have been active in “mission strategy”—helping less fruitful missionaries learn from and apply what God is blessing elsewhere. God has used mission strategy in significant ways, but I have been gradually understanding that this emphasis on learning from others does have a down side—feeding our inclination toward striving in human effort and wisdom, which can lead to a variety of bad fruit.
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
It’s that time of the year again! Across the country thousands of people just like you are registering for a 15 week class that will forever change the way they see the world and their place in it. Get threaded into the biggest story of all time. Perspectives will open the eyes of your heart with fresh knowledge and understanding of God’s unchanging purposes and why they’re relevant to your life.
Just Give up Already
If you have been a Christian from an early age, you may feel the binding, guilty power of never surrendering. We look down (while not actually casting judgment, of course) on those who have said they would forsake all, but didn’t last two nights in the mission field. We say we are not of this world; we are different. We hold ourselves to a higher standard. We value tenacity and steadfastness, but have we unwittingly tapped into stubbornness and self-reliance?
The Passion in the Haystack: Dealing with Discouragement
Sometimes we think it can’t happen. We live our every day lives; how could that ever change our little corner of the world? Let alone all corners of the world? How can so few people- the small percentage that care about global missions- change the dynamics of a city? Of a region? Transform an entire unreached people group by introducing them to Jesus?
Amazing Video of Uncontacted Tribe
This week some amazing pictures and footage was released that shows uncontacted Indians on the Brazil-Peru border in never-seen-before detail. It is the first-ever aerial footage of an uncontacted community. The footage was filmed by the BBC in collaboration with the Brazilian government, for the new BBC 1 ‘Human Planet’ series (broadcast 3 Feb). The obvious question raised is how do we bring them the Gospel?
A Vision For The World – Lesson 2
This is lesson two in a series of 6 lessons on world missions and the Great Commission. The purpose of this series is to convert you into a “World Christian”. It is our hope that after taking these lessons your eyes will be opened to see the Bible in a new and revolutionary way, and have a new understanding of God’s purposes for the ethne of the world, and the part you are called to play in reaching them with the Gospel of Christ.
A Vision For The World – Lesson 1
This is the first in a series of 6 lessons on world missions and the Great Commission. The purpose of this series is to convert you into a “World Christian”. It is our hope that after taking these lessons your eyes will be opened to see the Bible in a new and revolutionary way, and have a new understanding of God’s purposes for the ethne of the world, and the part you are called to play in reaching them with the Gospel of Christ.
The Movie “Avatar” and Missions
Last night I watched the movie Avatar, which if you have not yet seen it is amazing. James Cameron did a great job in creating a believable alien world of plants, animals, and a native population called the Na’vi. While thinking about the Na’vi and how real they seemed, a thought crossed my mind that made me see how unrealistic the portrayal of them actually was. And this little omission highlights a part of our worldview that has an important impact on the subject of missions.
Adoniram Judson: Advice to Potential Missionaries
Adoniram Judson was a famous missionary to Burma(Myanmar) during the mid 1800’s. In reading about Judson I came across a letter that he wrote to a missionary association in America with ten bits of advice for those considering missions. I thought some of these were very interesting and useful to those involved in missions today. Here they are, and I have highlighted the most interesting and convicting points:
Debt: Enemy of Missions
Imagine that you suddenly received a calling to be a missionary. God has been working on your heart and maybe you even know that you are going to be a missionary in India. So now its time to start making plans. Oh, wait. What about the $300 car payment, $1,100 mortgage payment, $35,000 student loan, and the $5,000 in credit card debt?
New MissionsPlace.com Features!
Many of our missionaries have told us how blessed they are by the free websites we provide. They are so amazed by the many features and excellent support provided free of charge. Until now we have paid for all of this with our own time and money, so we have created a way to continue to provide the same great features for free, but still pay the bills.
Announcing Supporters, website sponsorship, and our new help system!
Who Cares?
On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window I was led into a train of thought concerning the conditions of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out the window, I seemed to see them all… millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.
What Could Be Done Better in Heaven?
What are the things we should be doing as Christians while we are on this earth now? Here are some of the common answers I have heard when asking this question: Prayer/Intercession, Worship, Fellowship, Evangelism/Missions, Bible Study, Becoming more Christ-like. But there is only one thing that can only be done while we are still here on earth.
Dealing With Your Parents as a Missionary
When you are going to the field as a missionary it can be very hard on your parents and close family. In many cases it is your parents who are worried the most. And there are always some family members who just can’t understand why you have to go away across the world where they think you will get some tropical disease or killed by terrorists. So other than praying for your family members, here are some tips on dealing with them and making your calling to missions much easier to handle.
Finding Cheap Airfare
Finding and purchasing plane tickets is one of the most needed skills for any missionary. The Internet has enabled anyone to be their own travel agent, and there are thousands of websites out there that all claim to help you find the cheapest airfare. A common question I hear is “what website do you use to get those super-cheap tickets?”.
Also, find out my most protected travel secret that will enable you to fly for free!
A Chance Encounter
The other night I was eating at a restaurant near downtown Dallas with my family. There was an older couple sitting in the table next to us. They asked us to take their picture for them, and after dinner the gentleman asked my wife if we were in missions because he had overheard us talking about smuggling Bibles into China. He then introduced his wife to us. “You know who this is don’t you? This is Elisabeth Elliot!”
Teaching: The Tower of Babel and World Missions
The story of the Tower of Babel is one of the most interesting in the Bible. It details some of the earliest known history right after the great flood, and the creation of the languages of the world. But this story is also shrouded in some mystery. How many of you can truly say that you understand WHY God judged the people of Babel. Why did God create the languages of the world? And what about this story can possibly apply to your life today? Listen after the jump »
Bcc Please!
A while back I received an email from a missionary with a their news/prayer letter attached as a PDF. Wanting to encourage them, I replied with a quick personal note and sent it off. Unfortunately, I clicked “Reply to All” instead of “Reply”, so my personal message was sent out to the missionary’s entire list of supporters. What an embarrassment! And I’m sure those supporters did not appreciate getting a random email from a stranger.
This all could have been avoided by the missionary using Bcc, or Blind Carbon Copy. Bcc is…
The Power of PDF
As a missionary you likely send out a paper newsletter on a regular basis to your supporters. But what about when you want to save some postage or get a copy to a new contact or supporter quickly? Those who don’t know better often try to attach a copy of their Microsoft Word or Publisher newsletter to an email. The problem is that there is a high likelihood that the recipient might not have the software installed to view it.