“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
As members of the body of Christ, God has uniquely gifted us to play an important role in the work of the Church (1 Corinthians 12-14). The gifts God has given us should contribute to the fulfillment of the responsibilities of the church – including missions. Even if only 5% of the people in the church have a calling to cross-cultural service, the spiritual gifts of the other 95% still have as much a bearing on missions as they have at home.
For instance, if you are gifted in helping other people, you can not only help friends and fellow believers but also non-believers and missionaries.
Are you an encourager? Missionaries love to receive letters and emails with words of encouragement.
Are you musically talented? Musicians are quite helpful on the mission field and in motivating other Christians to a commitment to missions.
Do you have a knack for making money? Consider financing people to take the Gospel to cultures which have never had a witness or a Bible!
Are you a teacher? Part of teaching and educating the body of Christ is to equip them for spreading the knowledge of God to others.
Do you have the resource of time? Budget that time to get serious about regular prayer for missionaries and people in need of Christ.
The list goes on. We must remember that Jesus would not have commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations unless He knew we were capable of completing the task. He gave us the tools to do so. Are we responding? There is a great need for participation in mission, either right at home or across the world.
Do you see the big picture? God gave us a glimpse into the future to John in Revelation:
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Consider your own spiritual gifting and calling; how can you work in partnership with the body of Christ to participate in mission around the globe to see the task finished? Maybe you are being called to participate in mission with SAMS. Discover how SAMS Missionaries are using their gifts around the world here.
In the fall of 2016, Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, PA started a ministry reaching out to internationals in the city. SAMS’ Associate Director, Denise Cox who also attends the church, had been praying all summer about how she could serve the Lord in a new way. She has a heart for international people and has made life-long friendships with those from different countries. God answered her prayer when she saw the bulletin for the new English as a Second Language ministry right at her church!
Denise reached out, encouraging me to join in extending the Good News of Christ through teaching English in the Pittsburgh area. With my background in English education, I felt God calling me to use my teaching skills to minister to others.
Now, two years later, people from all over the globe meet weekly to learn English, some attend a Bible study, and about a dozen attend Alpha where they are learning the basics of Christianity. Some are students at the local universities, others are spouses of students, and some are new citizens looking to learn more. New people who are interested in class come weekly, discovering the classes through word of mouth, or flyers seen in their community. The Lord is bringing people right to the church doorsteps!
Participants are from China, Japan, Indonesia, Montenegro, Brazil, Iran, and France, just to name a few. During Bible studies and classes, I find myself in awe of how different everyone is, yet so much alike. When we come together to study the word, we all are part of the body of Christ. It reminds me of Revelation 7:9:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…
We each have a role to play in the bringing about the Kingdom of God. It has been a blessing for teachers to see some participants come to know the Lord and to witness one young woman being baptized.
Just in the last few years, the international student population has grown to over one million in the U.S. and many of these students are near you! How is your church or community reaching out? Just recently, SAMS Missionary Mary McDonald who has a passion for international students has partnered with Leiton and Lisa Espineli Chinn, Intervarsity’s International Student Ministry global consultants and AGMP Missionary Partners, in starting The Anglican International Student Mission Network (AISMN), a new initiative. Learn more about Mary’s ministry here, and perhaps discover how your church can get involved by attending the first ACMI Conference happening this May 31st!
SAMS Missionary, Dr. Mary McDonald, put her mission experience and enthusiasm into an outreach ministry near her home in Blacksburg, Virginia. Mary regularly mentors veterinarian students at Virginia Tech and asked a couple of her mentees to help her start an Alpha course for some of the international students at Virginia Tech.
Students from Muslim, Atheistic, and other non-Christian backgrounds came together with Mary and her helpers each week for 10 weeks to explore basic tenets of the Christian faith, eat a meal together and form a community. Mary opened up her house and farm to host the group for a special weekend of friendship and learning about the Holy Spirit.
This ministry is growing, and Mary’s passion for reaching international students has helped launch a new missionary network. The Anglican International Student Mission Network (AISMN) is a new initiative which all Anglicans are welcome to join! Mission Networks, an initiative of New Wineskins Missionary Network, allow people who are interested in a particular type of mission to collaborate, consult and conference together in an intentional and on-going way that will exponentially increase our missional effectiveness. Leiton and Lisa Espineli Chinn, ISM global consultants and AGMP Missionary Partners, and Dr. Mary McDonald will be co-leading the ISM mission network and can’t wait to welcome you to the first official AISMN gathering this May 31st!
Perhaps you are wondering how you could befriend someone from another culture from right where you live. Find out more at the AISMN gathering. Click here for more details and how to register.
SAMS is pleased to introduce you to new Missionary Candidates and Bridgers!
Hunter and Stephie Van Wagenen: Long-term Missionary Candidates to Spain
Hunter and Stephie Van Wagenen are called to minister along the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. The Camino de Santiago is a 500-mile long pilgrimage that draws over 300,000 spiritual seekers a year. Hunter and Stephie hope to plant a hospitality ministry along the Camino so that they may proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to pilgrims. Hunter and Stephie are currently raising their support. Visit their page here!
Michaela Ray: Bridger to the Dominican Republic
Michaela will serve in the San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic with SAMS Missionary Cathy Donahoe assisting Cathy in her physical therapy ministry. Her home church is Christ Church, Plano Texas. Keep an eye out for posts from Michaela on her missionary page here.
Madeleine Ruch: Bridger to Brazil
Madeleine is from Wheaton, IL where her home church is Church of the Resurrection. She has felt a strong call to mission to Brazil. Madeleine will be serving at the Casa da Esperança in the Diocese of Recife under the authority of Bishop Miguel Uchôa. Visit her page here.
Jessica Tetirick: Bridger to Uganda
Jessica Tetirick will serve with SAMS missionary Mary Chowenhill at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. Jessica has a background in finance and accounting. She will serve alongside Mary through business ministry. Jessica’s home church is Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Read her recent blog post for more about her calling to mission!
As I was tackling the mountain for marking, I came across this gem from one of my MDiv students in an assignment about the Day of Atonement:
It gave me a good chuckle, as did the “unusual liturgical actions.” I am quite strict about plagiarism, and I thought this was his way of paraphrasing something he read. I was all kinds of proud of him for incorporating what I taught him.
Until I read the same sentence three papers later. Sadly, it’s a quote from a commentary.
So the plagiarism/attribution rants shall continue.
Hunter and Stephie Van Wagenen: Long-term Missionary Candidates to Spain
Madeleine Ruch: Bridger to Brazil
Jessica Tetirick: Bridger to Uganda