Month: April 2026

If Not Us, Then Who?

Posted on by Emily Belvery

(From Melissa, former MCN mission partner to Hungary and Ethiopia)

“I really first knew I was going to be a missionary when I was in college and returning home from my first short-term trip, and I had the thought, ‘If I don’t tell these people that they’re saved through Jesus, then who will?’ I knew the number of people who had any kind of active faith was limited, leaving a gap between the people who really needed this message and those who even had the ability to share it, and I felt so deeply that these people needed this message because it’s the message that literally makes the difference between life and death. And who else was there to tell them?

“What if I’m the closest chance this person ever has to meet Jesus? It’s when I keep that thought in mind that it makes it more clear about what I’m doing here, why and how I need to live my life. There’s a sense of urgency in that.

“As an ambassador of Christ, we represent Him, we follow His direction for us, and that means living our lives in a way that may cause questions among those around us because it’s against the cultural norms. And that’s challenging, it’s uncomfortable, it’s even painful. As a missionary abroad, I feel this all the time, knowing that I’m constantly making some sort of faux pas that I didn’t even realize was a thing, and it’s so often in these moments that I’m reminded that this place isn’t my home.

“We have to engage the world around us. Wherever it is doesn’t matter because ultimately this world is not our home. Having faith in Jesus automatically signs us up for a ‘leaving home assignment.’ God has appointed us to bring His message to the world, and if not us, who else is going to do it?”

Click here to listen to Melissa tell her story.

Connecting Your VBS and Missions

Posted on by Emily Belvery

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is an enriching time to share with children about God, his love for his people throughout the Bible, and that same love that we experience today. Have you considered how your VBS might be an opportunity to further introduce children to God’s heart for the nations? 

Our missionaries often travel back to the States during the summer months and VBS would be a great opportunity to invite a missionary to tell stories of sharing God’s love around the world. Often, our mission partners recall how hearing the stories of those who served before them was a pivotal seed planting moment in their desire to go and serve globally. How might hosting a missionary at your VBS be an opportunity to inspire and disciple tomorrow’s cross-cultural missionaries? 

Other church VBS programs have connected with a missionary across distance: sharing video greetings from the missionary, learning about and praying for the ministry where the missionary serves, and even raising funds to support the missionary and their work. Kids love seeing their offerings go to help children just like them hear about Jesus for the first time!

Reach out to Emily Belvery to get connected to a missionary!

Additionally, we invite you to check out our kid-friendly resources which you can use to equip children to share the Gospel with those around them, learn about the global church, and support God’s mission through prayer. A few suggested resources to get you started:

  • What is a missionary?: In this video, mission partner Sarah Berta-Somogyi teaches young children about what it means to be an overseas missionary and the role we all have in telling others about Jesus. 
  • Missions-Themed Activities: Use these activities with kids to help them think about what God’s mission looks like and how they can be a part of it.
  • Kid’s Prayer Bookmarks: This printable resource includes a prayer request for each day of the week to keep children focused on praying for the global church and for God’s mission around the world.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

God of the nations, who said ‘let the little children come to me,’ we lift up churches, VBS leaders, and volunteers as they prepare to pour into young lives this summer. May you grant them the energy needed and the boldness to share your love with each kid who will participate. May children learn of your deep love for them, your Son Jesus, and how they can be a light to others right where you have them. Amen.