Tagged: missionary

Then & Now: Short-Term Mission Trips

0

By on May 13th, 2013

For twenty years, East-West has been taking the gospel to the nations. Almost since the beginning, we have had short-term mission trips that give people the opportunity to GO.

Pictured above is our very first short-term mission trip team. They went to Russia to share the gospel almost twenty years ago.

Now our mission field has extended beyond Russia. While we still send teams there, we also send them to South Asia to share the gospel in remote villages, to East Asia to teach students about Jesus through cultural exchanges, to Latin America to tell people about Jesus in their homes, and to orphanages or village children in various parts of the world to help them make Jesus their best friend.

We also take trips to Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe. And we’re developing new trips that will help you utilize your passions and gifts to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in countries around the world.

Banished

0

By on Apr 22nd, 2013

From an East-West missionary

In October, my family was deported from a region in the Caucasus that we had been ministering in. After eight years of being in the trenches with over fifty unreached Muslim people groups, the Lord had called us onward. After so many years we had sown both deep and wide to thousands … only to see about 20 new disciples for Christ.

When leaving under such circumstances, we were unsure if the work of the home church would grow or start on a downward spiral to irrelevancy. People in our line of work have a healthy fear of such things because of the extreme cultural pressure that is common in Islam. Shallow roots do not last in the heat of societal pressures.

We have continued relationships with the leaders of our home church and those who are passionate in following Christ and taking Him to all peoples—from the neighbors to the world. And God is still moving in tremendous ways in this mountainous region we called home for eight years.

The ministry continues to thrive. A new generation of followers of Jesus is multiplying. Recently, one of our leaders baptized 12 new believers!

Though we may be banished, our Savior will never be bound! And as we move on to the next place that God has called us, we will continue to share the hope and grace found only our matchless Savior.

Meet the Staff: Chelsea Jenkins

0

By on Dec 19th, 2012

Chelsea Jenkins is passionate about mobilizing the Body of Christ. As part of our mobilization department, she works to connect God’s people to His mission worldwide by recruiting and developing leaders.

Here’s a little bit more about the gal you may see representing East-West at your church or college.

What were you doing before you came to East-West?

I was working on my master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University—which I just finished! It was in global leadership (which is really just a different way of saying “missions”).

What kind of classes did you take?

We studied a variety of subjects including missiology, business as missions, theology, and spiritual formation. But my favorite class was called “Local Church on Mission.”

How did you hear about East-West?

One of the classes I had to take was called Global Practicum. In this class you were required to travel overseas for a short-term trip. I had the opportunity to go to East Asia for a “cross-cultural exchange” where we met with university students to learn about their culture and teach them about ours.

This happened to be at a university to which East-West sent teachers. While I was there, I connected with them and saw what they did and how they were working. Those teachers were my first introduction to East-West.

How did you come to work here?

After I got back, I connected with people in your mobilization department, and after a few conversations I started out as a volunteer for East-West at different information sessions. Then I became a part-time recruiter. I found that my time getting to know those teachers in East Asia really helped me in looking for potential candidates. And eventually I came on full-time with my new position.

Tell me a little about your job now.

As the Director of Missionary Mobilization, I help mobilize the Body of Christ. My main focus is recruiting at colleges, conferences, and churches and building relationships with those who may be interested in serving overseas as missionaries.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing is getting to sit down to talk one-on-one with people over lunch or coffee and build relationships with them. The most exciting part is hearing the stories of how God is working in people’s lives and how they want to serve Him. I also get to help them figure out what kind of opportunities they need and want and help them develop into leaders who could one day serve on the field.

Have you been on any trips with East-West?

Last summer I led a trip to East Asia for two weeks of culture camps for elementary and high school kids. We got to teach them about American culture while pointing out the influence of Christ.

Where else do you want to go?

I would love to go back to East Asia, but I think it would be great to go to Spain or Southeast Asia as well. I really love the community development that is happening in those places and would love to be a part of it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Being newly engaged, I am deep into planning my wedding this spring. But other than that, I’m actually really excited to finally get to do some of the Pinterest projects that I’ve been pinning, and I am ready to read books for fun instead of for school. I want to work on my heart knowledge after spending so much time on building my head knowledge.

Be sure to say hi to Chelsea at your college job fair, church, or conference. 

Finding His Own Way

0

By on Dec 17th, 2012

The unreached are not exclusively located on the other side of the world. Often, we can find them in our own nation. Mark, a missionary for our new Muslim Initiative, was able to engage the unreached in his own New York suburb where more than half of the population was born outside the United States.

Ibrahim came to New York from West Africa. He had long followed the religion of his devout Muslim family, but he was introduced to Christ through the Jesus Film. Full of questions, Ibrahim sought answers but knew no one that could answer them until he met Mark.

He and Mark met regularly to discuss Jesus, the gospel and even baptism. Ibrahim thought he could believe, but his family continued to pressure him to not neglect Islam. Through it all, Mark continued to meet with him and pray for his protection and salvation.

One night, Ibrahim sat up in his bed after a dream. He dreamed about a poem he read as a child of a man searching his entire life for the right path, growing tired and eventually choosing to go his father’s way because it was simplest. There in his bed he realized that Jesus Christ was the only path to paradise even if it was difficult to choose it.

Ibrahim has followed God’s call and been baptized. He continues to meet with Mark for discipleship in God’s Word and prayer.

The Fruit of Obedience

0

By on Dec 3rd, 2012

Raul knew about church. He even knew what the church did. But he never really knew God.

One day, a group of East-West missionaries held an eye clinic in his village in a remote area of Mexico. It was during this clinic that Raul encountered the truth for the first time—that God wanted to know Him personally and made that possible through Jesus Christ.

Raul was struck by this message. He immediately surrendered his life to Christ.

Everyone noticed a change in Raul right away. Knowing that God wanted to know him intimately instantly transformed him. And he continued to grow by reading a Bible that the team left with him.

One year later, the same missionaries led another team to Raul’s village for a medical clinic. He became emotional at their return and helped them however he could as they prepared for the next day.

As the clinic began, Raul continued to be in awe of the gospel message. He listened intently as one of the missionaries shared the gospel with the patients. He was flipping pages in his Bible to follow along and soak up every word of truth possible.

After sitting through the gospel presentation numerous times, Raul had the opportunity to share this life-changing message with some patients. As he told the story of God’s grace, he saw lives transformed before his eyes just as his had been one year earlier.

Having seen the eternal fruit of his obedience, Raul now shares the gospel confidently with everyone he meets.

So You Want to Be a Missionary …

0

By on Aug 21st, 2012

A missionary is a unique occupation, and that calls for a unique set of qualifications. If you’re considering becoming a full-time missionary overseas, you’ve probably wondered: what training do missions organizations look for when bringing in new missionaries?

Look no further. Here are a few types of training that missions agencies prefer in possible candidates.

Undergraduate Degree in Missions

This shows that a candidate has had more than a fleeting interest in missions. It also shows that the potential missionary has sought education in mission theory and practice.

Seminary Degree

This shows dedication and that a candidate has a firm foundation of theology to draw from in cross-cultural missions.

Perspectives of the World Christian Movement course

This course provides an overview of missions: from the Bible, in history, and in practice. It is a great starting place for those looking to learn more about missions theory and ministering cross-culturally. Taking the course demonstrates dedication and a desire to learn about how God draws people to himself.

Short-Term Mission Trip Experience

Previous short-term or mid-term time spent overseas in ministry is a great place to start. This demonstrates a candidate’s continued desire to minister cross-culturally as well as practical experience on the field.

Ministry Experience

Often people want to go to a different part of the world to share their faith, but many organizations want to know that candidates are dedicated to sharing the gospel at home as well especially among the demographic which they hope to minister to overseas.

While these are all great places to start, none of them guarantee placement in a missions organization. However, some organizations, like East-West, don’t require candidates to meet all of these requirements, but you must meet at least a few of the minimum requirements like some ministry and mission trip experience.

We are looking for people with a pioneering spirit and a passion for the gospel. We want people with unique skills that want to use them to expand God’s Kingdom. Through business, education, and other passions, East-West missionaries are sharing the gospel, training new believers, and planting churches worldwide.

Find out more about our employment opportunities

8 Ways to Pray for Missionaries

0

By on Aug 13th, 2012

Prayer is a powerful weapon in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Every missionary wants and needs a supportive, praying community. Here are a few ways that you can lift up the missionaries you know in prayer.

 

1. For wisdom and discernment

Pray that missionaries would receive clear direction on the field and that they would recognize spiritual warfare. Pray also that they would use the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to defeat the enemy rather than their own power.

2. For clear communication despite language and culture barriers

Pray that missionaries would have good translators or language skills that would enable clear communication. Also pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare the ears of those receiving God’s Word to understand the message clearly.

3. For adjustment to new environments

Pray that missionaries would gain their bearings quickly in a new place. Pray for their adjustment to new cultures, foods, and people.

4. For strong community

Pray that missionaries would quickly develop a solid community that will help them get through times of loneliness, discomfort, or home-sickness that may come from being on the field.

5. For support

Pray that missionaries would build and feel the support they need on the field—whether financial, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Pray that they will find time to have their cup filled by the Lord as they empty it for His glory each day.

6. For their families

Pray that they would build strong families that demonstrate God’s design to their community. Pray for protection and strengthening of marriages. Pray also for their children to adjust well and to feel loved and supported in a foreign environment.

7. For opportunities for rest

Pray that missionaries would find opportunities to recharge through rest and relaxation.

8. For unity

Pray that missionaries would experience unity with their ministry teams and communities so that God may be glorified through their ministries.

 

Breakdancing Leads to Discipleship

0

By on Jul 16th, 2012

The Lord has a unique way of taking our passions and using them for His glory. That’s what happened when one of our missionaries met a group of teenage break dancers in Mexico.

Being a break dancer himself, he was excited to connect with them and use their common passion to have spiritual conversations.

Check out this video of the missionary and one of these teenage break dancers during a breakdancing competition.

On the weekends that he didn’t travel, the missionary would spend several hours with these dancers under the dim lights of the town’s center—listening to breaking tunes, dancing, competing, and sharing laughs during his time in Mexico.

After several months of building relationships with the crew, he began to connect very well with two of them in particular. They were believers that had confidence in the gospel—boldly sharing it with their fellow dance crew members.

The missionary began having more dialogue with them about their relationships with the Lord, and he was greatly encouraged by their dedication and commitment to putting God first, even as high school students. It was then that he saw an opportunity for discipleship.

Eager to shepherd these young men, he invited them to Sunday evening dinners for a time of fellowship through honest conversation, studying Scripture, and prayer for one another. They eagerly agreed.

During these sessions, they studied the first few chapters in the book of Acts … going verse-by-verse and applying early church history and the conviction of the first disciples into their own spiritual lives.

In an emotional session before the missionary would return home, the two young men brought him to tears, saying, “You have planted seed on fertile soil.”

The Lord used the love of breakdancing to open a door for discipleship … resulting in believers equipped to follow Him more closely for the rest of their lives.

Seeds of Faith Take Root

0

By on May 21st, 2012

Eva was always interested in talking to the East-West missionaries … but never interested in Jesus. Over the next seven years, as their friendship developed, the missionaries continued to plant the seeds of the gospel.

One day, Eva’s world was shaken. She found out that she was pregnant. Being unmarried, Eva knew that her family would not take the news well.

Fearing for her life, she sought the help of her friends, East-West missionaries, for a place to stay. They took Eva in—caring and praying for her each day.

One week later, Eva was hit by a car … causing her to lose the baby. As the missionaries walked with her through this tragedy, they prayed:

“Lord, give us wisdom to do what’s best for Eva. Please soften her heart and draw her to yourself with your overwhelming compassion. Make your provision come in such a way that she cannot attribute it to the kindness of people, but only to You.”

After caring for Eva for nearly a year, the missionaries began to notice a difference. When they talked about faith, she began to engage in a new way. Eva began showing up at youth group, church, and weekly prayer meetings.

The missionaries were intrigued by her new behavior and finally asked her one day if she had surrendered to Christ. Eva said, “Oh, yes! I never thought to say anything. I thought it was obvious—the change in my life.”

The missionaries rejoiced in the faithfulness God had shown through Eva. Now they don’t pray for a soft heart but, rather, for a firmly rooted faith and continued transformation.