101 Ways to Be a World Christian
Senders | Servicers | "Go-ers" | Going
"I want to go overseas... how do I get there?"
Local Church InvolvementIt sounds simple but remember that Wheaton College is a community of believers and has wonderful resources but is not a church. Therefore the first thing to do when you are thinking of being mobilized for missions as either a sender or are going is to get involved as a regular worshipper at a local church. Let church leaders know of your heart for missions and ask them to start praying for you. Acts 13 gives the wonderful example of Paul and Barnabas being sent out for missions from the local church.
1) Planning Your Steps to the Field
- Charting Your Journey to the Nations
This is the most helpful article I've ever read for a clear outline of spiritual and practical preparation for the mission field. The book, Send Me! can be ordered from www.wclbooks.com.
http://www.christar.org/helpful/help_stp.htm
This website gives 10 practical steps on cultivating missions vision, avoiding pitfalls such as debt, and finding the right mission agency.
http://www.worldteam.org/missions/choosing.htm
Questions to ask yourself in choosing a mission board
2) Training Opportunities
- Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
The precursor to this course was born after Urbana '73, to train college students committed to being a World Christian and/or missionary. It was first held on the Wheaton campus. Today it has been taken by over 50,000 people in the U.S. alone, and is offered at diverse locations in the US and abroad, including our very own College Church. College students can take it for 3 units of credit.
Wheaton Graduate School: Missions and Intercultural Studies
"Our mission is to develop professionals skilled in the theory and practice of missions for committed service in a dynamically changing world."
Mission Training International
MTI's stated mission is to "see cross-cultural messengers of God's grace and their families experience effectiveness, longevity, and a deep sense of satisfaction in their calling." They provide both pre-field and debriefing courses for missionaries.
Fuller Theological Seminary: School of World Mission
"The School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary is the largest, most diverse, graduate level missiological training institution in the world. Our courses integrate the study of the Word, the world, and the Church."
3) Educating Yourself on Current Missions Issues
- Mission Frontiers
Mission Frontiers is a free publication about mission strategy (i.e. what's the best way to do missions? What's left to be done?). This is worthwhile reading about crucial topics you may never have considered. You can subscribe to print copies, which come every 1-2 months.
William Carey Library Publishers
WCL provides books and videos on a wide range of mission issues, including training resources, missionary biographies, unreached peoples profiles, and ideas on support raising.
12 Lessons for a World Christian
http://www.uscwm.org/mobilization_division/resources/resources.html
Excellent articles taken from the Perspectives course, as well as a guide to other tools such as Periodicals and Prayer Guides.
Strategic Network
"A global movement of grass-roots leaders ministering to those without access to the Gospel." Connect with others, and hear updates about what is going on in God's world.
4) Missions Gatherings
- There are many small-scale and large-scale mission gatherings happening all over the US. Every three years, Intervarsity holds the Urbana Missions Conference, which is a phenomenal chance to worship and connect with other mission-minded students and hundreds of mission agencies.
5) Be Intentional with Relationships, Money, and Time
- The things you do with your money and time, and the relationships you develop - most importantly, who you marry - will have a big influence on whether your missions vision continues to burn or just fizzles out.
- Pray for God's kingdom to advance (see prayer resources above)
Give to needs overseas
Maintain networks with others who love the world
Hang out with international students www.isionline.org
Find mission-minded mentors who will pour into your life
Find an internship with quality missionaries overseas
See more ideas at this website: "Avenues of Mission Involvement"
Read this article about dating relationships:
http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/resources/dating.shtml
6) Get Rid of Debt as Fast as Possible
- This is a major hindrance to many college graduates interested in pursuing missions. Read more about it at http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/resources/debt.shtml.
7) Build a Support Team
- Read the article below to discover the importance of a team of supporters, and how you can begin to build one.
http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/resources/support.shtml
Students in Missions
Students have historically been a significant force in missions. The 19th Century saw the birth of the Student Volunteer Movement (SVM), and 20,500 students sailed from North America and Europe to commit their lives overseas. Could it happen again in our day?
The Student Volunteer Movement
http://www.thetravelingteam.org/2000/world/9.shtml
http://www.calebproject.org/bomm/orr_svm.html
The Traveling Team
The Traveling Team visits college campuses around the U.S. to encourage and recruit students to be World Christians, focused on God's global cause. Their website has many excellent articles, statistics, and resources for missions-minded students.
For comments or questions, please contact Brian Medaglia, Director of the Office of Christian Outreach and Supervisor for World Christian Fellowship. You can call the office during normal business hours CST at 630-752-5076.