Get Involved by Praying
What a blessing it is to pray for others! Missionaries are in need of prayer in
all areas of their ministry and lives. Some of these areas are listed below:
Place of Service
- Country’s political situation
- Adjusting to new place of service
- Opened doors, softened hearts
Relationship with God / Spiritual Life
- Ever-increasing love for the Lord
- Faithful prayer life
- Living a spirit-controlled life
- Increased faith and Christian maturity
- Eagerness to align with God’s will
- Standing firm in the Lord
Family
- Deepening husband's love for his wife; wife's respect for her husband
- Raising children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
- Nurturing a strong bond among family members
- Modeling the Christian life to nationals
Physical/Emotional Life
- Remaining safe and protected
- Staying healthy
- Adapting to climate
- Achieving victory over any discouragement
- Overflowing with joy
Ability to Communicate
- Understanding the culture
- Becoming fluent in the language
- Seeking wisdom from above in communications
- Being bold and courageous in sharing God's word
Ministry
- Evangelizing, teaching, and making disciples
- Being motivated by love for the Lord
- Preparing God's people for works of service
- Receiving generous, sacrificial support from others
Relationship with Others
- Demonstrating love for others
- Maintaining conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ
- Partnering with godly national evangelists, pastors, teachers, other missionaries
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Ephesians 3:21-22)
Get Involved by Giving
What a blessing it is to be involved in the Great Commission by giving financially to missionaries. If the Lord leads you to give to missions, you may choose to:
- Give to the general missions fund, and your gift will be distributed to missionaries based on our missions budget allocations.
- Give to a specific missionary.
- Give during a fundraising drive, and your gift will be sent to the designated missionary to meet a designated need.
Additionally, you may work with the Missions Committee on a fundraising event whose proceeds can be earmarked for our general missions fund, a specific missionary, or a designated project that is being undertaken by one of our missionaries.
Place your offering in an envelope, designate on the envelope that your offering is for missions, and deposit it in the offering box or, if you prefer, mail your check to the church office or click here to give online.
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Get Involved by Helping
Before Missionaries Leave
- Ask about their needs (spiritually and materially), then pray earnestly.
- Ask what they are learning as they prepare for the mission field.
- Help gather all the supplies they need to take with them or that they need to store here.
- Run errands or provide childcare so they can run errands.
- Prepare meals.
- Offer your home as a place to stay.
- Drive them to the airport.
- Take them or arrange for people to take them to the airport.
- Host a reception or prayer meeting.
- Help them find information about their new area, the people they will serve, and the equipment they'll need -- search the internet, visit the library, read missions periodicals, scan Consumer Reports and the newspaper.
While Missionaries are on Assignment
Communicate with them
Content Ideas:
- Ask them about what they are doing.
- Tell them you are praising God for their service.
- Tell them that you want to learn more about how God is leading them to accomplish His plan in their area.
- Tell them you are praising God for their service.
- Ask how you can help.
- Have your children draw a picture or write a letter and mail it to them.
- Prepare a scrapbook, filled with copies of photographs and notes, and mail it to them.
- Mail relevant books, articles, or materials to them.
- Mail care packages, filled with items that they may not be able to purchase in their country of service.
- Remember birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and special occasions by sending them a gift, a card, or an e-mail or by calling them.
Methods of communicating
- Telephone
- E-mail: A quick, easy way for you to communicate. Recognize that the missionary may not be able to respond.
- Postal mail: Recognize that it could take a month or more to arrive, depending on the country. Check for specific details about what can and cannot be sent into each country. Do not send valuables.
- Web cam (if available).
- Share their work and non-confidential prayer requests with the Calvary Community and encourage others to pray for them.
- Visit them.
- Help take care of their home.
When Missionaries Return
- Pray for their readjustment to life here.
- Be at the airport to welcome them.
- Praise God for their safe return.
- Arrange for housing, as needed.
- Offer a car for them to borrow.
- Host a reception or pot luck after they have been home for a while.
- Remain available for them, listen to them, and show interest in their ministry.
- Bring meals, cook for them, or stock groceries for the first few days.
- Introduce them to other people and include them in activities.
- Introduce their children to other children of the same age.
- Provide babysitting / child care.
- Provide for home or vehicle maintenance.
- Offer vacation opportunities.
- Ask them to let you know when they need time alone. Listen.
During Times of Political Upheaval or Natural Disaster
- Pray for their opportunities to share the gospel during these times.
- Stay informed.
- Volunteer to help as the need arises.
- Be generous in your giving.
- Understand that regular contact may be difficult.
- During times of evacuation and redeployment, provide prayer, additional financial support, and encouragement.
During a Time of Personal Crisis
- Pray for them.
- Provide a safe place to debrief.
- Be available.
- Visit or call them.
- Allow emotional and physical space as needed.
- Arrange for care from the pastors or members as requested.
Get Involved by Going
What a life-changing experience going on a missions trip has been for each member of our Calvary Community who has responded to God's call to go into the world to spread the Good News about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Each year we offer at least one opportunity for a short-term missions trip during which participants work in the missions field in support of one of our sponsored missionaries or nationals. Our most recent short-term missions opportunities have been in Uganda and Mexico.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples (Psalm 96:3)."Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15).
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).