Tag: God’s Mission

The Discernment Journey: Trusting God When Missions Feels Both Right and Impossible

Posted on by Emily Belvery

Do I go or do I stay? Do I use my gifts here or there? Is this decision selfish or not selfish? Is this what God is really calling me to do or does He have something else for me? On and on the questions go.

As someone who has lived the process of discerning to serve overseas twice now, I get it. The space between the gentle pull of God’s call to go and the loud push of doubt. For me, these competing opposites looked like: A secure paycheck vs. fundraising. Achieving my own success metrics vs. total dependence on God, the only one who can create faith. A clear boundary between work life and personal life vs. it’s all missions.

Push and pull. Push and pull. You probably know that space of tension well and can insert your own pushes and pulls that toss you back and forth.

How do we overcome the inertia that pushes us away from saying yes to God’s invitation to GO? We need not look any further than God’s powerful Word and prayer. God meets us in His Word. We find in Scripture the Good Shepherd’s voice, a voice His sheep know, leading us. 

As I wrestled against the loud voice of doubt in my own discernment process, God’s gentle voice found me. It wasn’t a neon sign pointing the way or a laid out map (which I so desired); it was in His Word. His Word that as it goes out, does not return empty. His Word that not only speaks into the details of our lives, but in the lives of those we share it with as well. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Psalm 3:5-6

This was the verse that quieted my anxious heart, drowned out the doubts and led me to where God now has me. It was the verse that prompted me to ask, ‘What is my own understanding about this decision and is that true in light of who God is?’ I pray these words will be a trusty companion to you on your journey as they were for me.

Following God often doesn’t lead us where we thought we’d be . . . He leads us somewhere better. 

May God grant you peace and clarity as He gently leads you to what He has prepared for you and may these Discernment Resources – full of Scripture, prayers, and questions to ponder – be a blessing to you as you spend time with your Heavenly Father.

Where Does Scripture Talk about Missions?

Posted on by Emily Belvery

Matthew 28:19 (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”) is likely the most famous mission verse in the Bible – although it’s only one of the Great Commission verses. (See Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, John 20:21, and Acts 1:8 for other iterations of this sending.)

God’s Mission, however, started long before Jesus’s resurrection and ascension and is in fact one of the central threads of Scripture – a theme running from Genesis to Revelation. 

God is on a mission to get His lost children back. 

Perhaps the first word of Gospel in the Scriptures is Genesis 3:9, “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” God was not confused; Adam and Eve had not hidden from His presence so fully that He couldn’t find them. 

Rather, God was seeking out his disobedient children. Even though they had broken their relationship with him – trading honor for shame, innocence for guilt, peace for fear – yet He sought them out. This same God is still today seeking the lost – the foreigners, the exiles, those far away and without hope (Eph 2:12) – and calling them to Himself with a word of grace. “Where are you?”

Mission comes from the Latin word for send (v. mittere or n. missio) and when we read Scripture with eyes open for this theme, we see on every page that God is a God of sending.

God sent prophets, judges, and kings to His people. 

  • God told Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
  • “And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety.” 1 Samuel 12:11
  • “And Samuel said to Saul, ‘The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel,’” 1 Samuel 15:1

God sent Christ to seek and to save the lost. 

  • “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
  • “And Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.’” John 12:44-45

God sent the Holy Spirit to His Church, to indwell believers and to teach, comfort, remind, bear witness, and empower them for mission.

  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26
  • “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” Galatians 4:6

And God sends the Church – every believer – to participate in His Mission.

  • “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’”  John 20:21
  • “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Luke 10:1-2 

From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, God has been seeking the lost and sending people to participate in this mission with Him. God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and he desires people of every nation, tribe, people, and language to come into the family of God by faith (Revelation 7:9).

So what does all this mean for you? Today?

  1. From the Garden of Eden, God has been on a mission to bring people back to Himself. This is still his mission for you and for all the peoples of the world.
  2. Scripture is the story of this mission. Reading with an eye for mission throughout the Scriptures (not just after Jesus’s ascension) gives a more complete picture of who God is and what He is about. 
  3. You have a part in this mission. No matter who you are or what your gifts or career, you are one sent by God to bring people back to Himself. Ask Him to show you where and how He is sending you today (and in the future) and to give you courage to follow!
  4. As you go, know that you are sent as part of a long story of sending. You don’t go alone. Jesus is still on mission (Acts 1:1). God has sent you the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. And you are sent together with the Church – the cloud of witnesses that have gone before you and the saints who live now across the world.

Milk Tea, Google Translate, and Grace: Adventures in Dorm Parenting

Posted on by Emily Belvery

A conversation with Rex and Linda who served as dorm parents with MCN in Central Asia, a place where MCN is looking for retired couples to serve 3 month terms:

Why did you decide to serve as dorm parents? The dorm project had been a vision for around five years prior to it becoming a reality. The intent of the project – to help college students grow in their Christian faith and life – persuaded us to be a part of this ministry. God puts in His people’s hearts where he wants them to be. It is totally the work of the Holy Spirit. You’ll know when God calls you to go. Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all peoples.”

What is a ‘typical’ day like as dorm parents? Your typical day begins with whatever your normal routine usually is. The student’s schedules and responsibilities vary. The goal is to treat them like the adults they are and to be kind, loving, truthful supportive imitators of Jesus. Flexibility and a good sense of humor are always in season. Introduce the students to whatever talents and gifts you love and combine them with English conversation. Your gift may be teaching English, baking, painting, any form of art, singing, playing an instrument, writing, or anything else. A pizza night with ice cream is always appreciated. 

Monday through Thursday nights, volunteer led devotions are held for half an hour with the students. An important part of the volunteer’s assignment is to offer support and encouragement to the local pastors and their wives. You can do this by spending time together, as allowed, by praying and eating together.

How did you see God at work in the dormitory? Forgiveness, mercy, and love for one another were evident. On rare occasions, when a misunderstanding arose, which is a normal thing in life, there was Christ-like conflict resolution. God works powerfully with the students through the ministries of the local pastors and their families.

One thing you loved about your host-culture: People’s warmth, hospitality, and willingness to be helpful. Drinking milk tea.

How were you able to build relationships with students across language and cultural barriers? By taking time to get to know the students’ names right away and be intentional about developing a relationship with them. There’s no short cut for this. Can anyone say English conversation, hugs, pizza, ice cream, devotions, genuine smiles, talking with your hands, food and photos? Google translate is helpful.

What encouragement would you give to someone thinking about serving as a dorm parent? Even though initially you may feel uncomfortable in this situation, you’ll discover almost immediately the kindness and love of the students & dorm supervisor for you. Your love and kindness for them will come very easily.

What is something you’ll take with you from this experience as God calls you into new adventures? Whenever you’re working and serving in other cultures, the fact that we’re all followers of Jesus unites and bonds us immediately as brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though the language may be a barrier, knowing that you’re with fellow believers will encourage you and make you feel welcome and accepted.

Mission Control

Posted on by John Mehl

“Being out of control is not something that most people embrace—apart from enjoying a few rides at the carnival. As we look at how God’s Church is engaged in His mission (His sending) we see that our desire to control is often a prominent feature of the activities that comprise church life. We want to be engaged in God’s mission, but on our terms . . .

Control usually takes the form of the church turning inward. We look to programs that can be accomplished on the property. Worship services are carefully scripted and often with strict limits to ensure a timely beginning of the next event. We like to see a return on investment (ROI) and pulling control levers that produce an outcome we can point to. This is done best on one’s home turf and for those who already know Jesus.

The church is about helping people have right relationships with God. This certainly happens in a church building, but it also needs to happen outside the walls. Church attendance cannot be the only goal . . .

This reality of the world’s reaction to Christianity should not make us yearn for the “good old days” nor to circle the wagons around our churches. This is a time for the church to get off campus and engage as never before. The world needs a Christian people that serve it. It needs the love of God in all its forms. We live in an America where only 45 percent of the population attends church monthly or more and 40 percent of millennials have ticked the “none” box. When Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). We pray for the Spirit to move us with the same compassion.

In foreign, cross-cultural ministries, Christians are forced to let go of control. This isn’t simply because one goes to a foreign country and cannot figure out how to get the normal morning latte or how to make the internet work. The feeling of not being able to manage situations is often the result of not knowing the rules and underlying values of the host culture . . .

If we want to make tight plans and pull control levers to fulfill tasks as planned, this is done best at home for those who already know Jesus. But God’s mission is more. He sends us into the awkward as we step over the church property line and engage the world on its terms. In the world we find God working His mission in amazing ways and we have the privilege of being His instruments to accomplish it.

Luther says, ‘For whatever remains of your life, live as those sent by Christ. It is the office of everyone to instruct his neighbor, etc. And this power is given not to the clergy alone (though [here it is] spoken to the apostles) but to all believers. When you have performed this highest work, seek to become Christ’s apostle, to serve all people, so that they may come unto God as you have.’

So, serve we shall . . . giving up control to be a part of God’s mission.”

Read the full article by Rev. Dr. John Mehl in the May 2021 Lutheran Mission Matters.

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.

Hey, Teachers!

Posted on by Emily Belvery

When I was a language student in Taiwan, I remember a Japanese classmate telling me, “When people hear you’re a teacher, don’t they bow a little?” I laughed and said, “When Americans hear I’m a teacher, they say, ‘Why??’”

What is your why for going into education? Is it a favorite teacher who made you want to have the same impact on students? Is it a subject matter that you love and want to inspire students to love, too? Is teaching the family job, the natural choice when you come from a long line of Lutheran educators? Or is it a complete surprise to you and others that you’ve ended up a teacher?

Whether you’ve wanted to teach since you were a kid or are surprised to find yourself here, it is not an accident you ended up in education. Could it be God put you in this career so that you would be equipped to share the Gospel with students who every day walk into a Christian school somewhere around the world and hear about Jesus for the very first time?

What if this is why you’re a teacher?

On Fish Island in Cambodia – in the midst of a country that’s only 3% Christian – you can drive up to a beautiful property called Stronghold Cambodia and hear 50+ young children singing praise to Jesus, dozens who will come back for Sunday worship and many who are sharing Jesus with their families and having hard conversations with their parents about being baptized.

And yet – one of their classrooms stands empty and local children sit on a waiting list because they are short a missionary teacher.

In Taiwan, one of the biggest Lutheran schools in the world sits in the middle of a rural county with more gods than people. Every day 2000 middle and high schoolers – not to mention the kindergarten and elementary students who meet on another part of the campus (pictured above) – hear about a God who loves them and came to serve them, a God who doesn’t demand offerings and inspire fear like the idols that surround them, but a God who took on flesh for their salvation. Only perhaps 2% of these students are Christian coming into the school, but 10% are believers when they leave, and each year many more students come back to campus, 5 or 10 years removed from graduation, eager to tell their high school Bible teachers that they have now been baptized!

And yet – this year there was talk of staffing religion classes with non-Christians because they don’t have enough missionary teachers.

In Hong Kong, 22,000 students attend Lutheran schools, a group of students who are only perhaps 10% Christian but who know that in Lutheran schools they will receive a good education and perhaps get to learn English from a native speaker. These students learn in school that their worth does not come from the achievement or earning potential that define so much of this global financial hub but instead from Christ Jesus who gave His life for their salvation.

And yet – many of these schools are lacking missionary teachers to share the Gospel with students and other teachers who don’t yet know Jesus.

Is this why God called you into teaching? I don’t know for sure. But it might be… Why don’t you ask Him?

Life Hurts, but Love Heals

Posted on by Emily Belvery

(Story from Anastasia Rosnau, Mission Partner in Ecuador)

In June, End Slavery Ecuador (ESE) held our third Annual Conference for the women we serve. These women, who are currently in prostitution and whom we call Amadas (or ‘beloved ones’), were invited to this event with the goal of offering a time of deeper reflection on who God is and how His love changes our lives. Events like these are also sweet opportunities to remind them that they are loved, known, and special to us and to God. We had an incredible turnout, packing the theater full! Last year, we had about 80 people in attendance, and this year that number more than doubled to 186! 

The theme of this year’s conference was “Life hurts, but love heals.” Our speakers used very engaging visuals that really helped the Amadas grasp the message. One illustration involved a large bucket of water representing our lives and plastic bottles representing hardships. When the bottles were empty, our audience participant, *Ruth, couldn’t keep them all under the surface. But when they were filled with (living!) water, she was able to keep them submerged as an integrated part of the whole bucket. This showed how Jesus fills us with his love and enables us to walk through the hard things of life because He is with us.

The women were also moved by seeing Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well in a video clip from The Chosen. The Samaritan woman was rejected by everyone, but not by the Messiah, much like how many of the Amadas feel. One woman said her takeaway from the message was: “God’s love heals everything.” 

One of my favorite parts of the conference was the live worship music this year. Watching our women sing and clap along to Quien Dices Que Soy (Who You Say I Am) was an incredible experience. As I took it all in, I couldn’t help but think about the wide range of walks with Jesus represented in the room. Many of our women have told us they like to listen to Christian music at home, but worshipping together with nearly 200 people is a completely different experience. Worshipping through music has a unique power to help us engage with truth—stirring our hearts, minds, and bodies all at once. I pray it impacted them as deeply as it did me.

After a morning filled with reflection, worship, and encouragement, every woman received several gifts on her way out. These included a slice of cake, a Tupperware container, a book, and a food kit filled with essentials like oil, rice, and tuna. We are so grateful for the local organizations that donated to make these gifts possible and that so many of the Amadas could participate in this special event. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will grow the seeds sown through this conference and through our continued connection with these women!

*Name changed to protect identity and privacy

What Do Missionaries Major In?

Posted on by Emily Belvery

Quick Quiz: Which of these is NOT a job an MCN Mission Partner had before going overseas? A) Public health B) Cotton forecasting C) Cattle ranching D) Aerospace engineering e) Homeschool teaching

(Answer? Cattle Ranching.)

Yes, that means all the rest are former jobs of MCN missionaries. (And yes, that means cotton forecasting is a real job!)

You might wonder if you’re the missionary type. Do you have the right major? The right experiences? The right career? The right personality? Does MCN have positions that would fit for you?

The reality is missionaries come from many different backgrounds and majors, and God uses many different interests and skill sets in relationship building and Gospel proclamation. 

For example…

  • Zach (who majored in math and global multi-cultural studies) has used his math major through tutoring students in math at a local high school in Costa Rica.
  • Brandon (who studied music education) teaches band at Faith Academy in Manila as ministry to missionary families and local students.
  • Diane (who is a nurse by trade) uses her nursing skills to care for hurt students and do family training on health topics in Cambodia. 
  • Hayley (who majored in business administration and marketing) uses her degree as Program Impact Coordinator for Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation in Cambodia.

Additionally, many different skills and interests can be used outside of the “work day” to connect with people and build relationships.

  • Ruth uses a love of crafts to connect with kids through summer camps in their community in Costa Rica.
  • Sam used a love of board games to facilitate weekly gatherings of students and deeper conversations in Hungary.
  • Jon uses an enjoyment of hiking to connect with young Christians and unbelievers in East Asia.
  • Sarah uses a love for baking to connect with students and coworkers in Taiwan.

Mission of Christ Network’s focus is building relationships to share the Gospel, and just like in the US, many different jobs, interests, and hobbies provide open doors for meeting people and sharing Jesus with them.

And also – the reality is that God will also use you in ways you think you are not prepared for, not interested in, or not gifted in. That’s how you know missions is God’s work, not ours. 

When you wonder how mission work could fit for your major or your career path, remember these 5 truths.

  1. Chances are your career trajectory will change throughout your life. What you choose for the next year or two will not determine the rest of your life. It’s one step.
  2. God can use you in ways you don’t expect or feel qualified for. Don’t limit Him!
  3. MCN provides best-practice training and support to help people thrive on the mission field. Our field leads, member care team, and education team are all invested in helping mission partners learn and grow personally and professionally.
  4. You will leave the mission field with new skills and abilities that you can bring back to a job in the US.
  5. Even if you take the most straightforward path in education and work, even if you think you have a detailed and foolproof plan – your life is still out of your control but fully in the gracious hands of our God. (And that’s the best place to be.)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Could You Commit to a Week of Prayer?

Posted on by Emily Belvery

If you ask any MCN mission partner what they need most or ask MCN’s leadership what our biggest need is, the response will be prayer. Not funds or personnel or training or church support. Although all of those things are important, nothing is greater than the need for prayer.

When Jesus looked at the ripe harvest fields around him (see Mt. 9:37-38), his response was to tell the disciples to… Go? Mobilize? Raise support? … Nope. Pray.

But where to begin? 

We know prayer for missions, missionaries, and the ripe harvest fields of the world is important but with so many people who don’t yet know the Savior, where do we start?

I want to suggest that you start with one country and one week. Commit a week of prayer for one location where MCN mission partners serve and see how God will work in your heart to develop a love for these people and how He will work in that place through your prayers on their behalf. 

MCN’s 5-day prayer guides contain five specific prayer requests provided by mission partners as relevant to the region and context in which they serve. Could you lift up these needs one by one throughout the coming week?

Could you pray for relationships and against spiritual warfare in Costa Rica?

Could you pray against economic and family struggles and for a growing church in East Asia?

Could you pray for young people and Lutheran schools in Hungary?

Choose one prayer guide here (search “prayer guide” in the search bar to see them all) to get started – and next week pick another! And think about who you could invite to pray along with you…

  1. Parents, pray with your children over dinner, using a world map to show them where this country is.
  2. Teachers, pray with your school class day by day or pray with a Sunday school class and invite them to take a guide home for the week ahead.
  3. Pray with a friend or spouse on an evening walk.
  4. Invite a long distance friend to pray with you and text each other about the day’s request.