October 2016 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

When Learning a New Language, Pray First and Speak Second

What happens when you want to share the gospel, but lack the vocabulary to do it? For many missionaries, this is the reality of their first years on the field. This growth season can feel frustrating and helpless. But as worker Amanda Keeny shares, her weakness in the Russian language strengthened a better communication plan: prayer. Photo by TEAM

Oct 25 2016

I used to think that in the moments of crisis, you should first seek all available solutions, and then, when there’s nothing else that can be done, pray. I knew prayer was important but believed it was more like a Hail Mary pass. When everything seems hopeless, you just kind of chuck your prayer up into the air, hoping it will stick. But the longer I’ve served as a missionary in Ukraine with TEAM, the more that belief has been proven wrong. For the times in the past year when I felt like (and had the language abilities of) a child, prayer…

After a summer teaching English in Spain, a short-term worker shares her best advice for anyone considering teaching overseas. Photo by TEAM

Oct 19 2016

Last summer, I served as a short-term missionary in Utrera, Spain, for six weeks. During this time, I lived with a missionary, taught English and participated in a local Spanish church. God taught me many things during my time teaching in Spain. Here are five key lessons I would pass on to someone else considering teaching overseas for a short period of time. 1. Seize the Opportunity to Share Christ Teaching English might not be the first thing you think of when you consider ministry opportunities overseas, but teaching English can help you build those relationships with locals, giving you a chance to share…

People in northern Pakistan have been known to travel for hours to be seen by doctors at Bach Christian Hospital. And it's not because Bach is the only hospital around. Photo by TEAM

Oct 17 2016

Most mornings, Dr. Luke Cutherell’s alarm rings at 4:30 a.m. — that is, if he wasn’t already awake operating all night. After a quick run, Cutherell studies his Bible over breakfast, and by 7:00 a.m., he’s at Bach Christian Hospital in northern Pakistan, making rounds with inpatients. An hour later, he gathers with a multinational staff of 225 nurses, physicians and surgeons to pray for the healing work ahead. Then he’s off to the clinic, where 300 to 400 people are eagerly waiting to receive treatment for everything from kidney stones to cancer. These patients have traveled distances ranging from…

After college, I took a gap year to explore God's path for me, and I ended up teaching in Taiwan. Photos courtesy of Victor Hsiao.

Oct 13 2016

Between college graduation and starting medical school, I took a gap year as a missionary in Taiwan. In high school, I developed a passion for missions and considered pursuing ministry full time instead of going to college. I was wisely advised, however, to attend college to better equip myself for whatever God had in store for me, long-term missions or not. During college, I was challenged to share and live out my faith in new environments where there were few Christians, such as the school swim team or my summer research internship in China. As graduation approached, I still loved…

What happens on a vision trip? Recent trip participants reflect on their experiences and how it helped them explore their missions calling. Photo by TEAM

Oct 11 2016

This summer, 15 people set out on TEAM Vision Trips across the globe. Teams traveled to Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Guatemala to catch a glimpse of how God is building his church in each place and explore how he might be calling them to be a part of building it there, too. Unlike a traditional short-term mission trip, a vision trip’s purpose is not ministry activity, but rather to explore the challenges and opportunities for long-term ministry in a different culture. This year, participants spent time with long-term missionaries to ask them candid questions about missionary life and work….

Archive - October 2016

When Learning a New Language, Pray First and Speak Second

5 Things I Learned From Teaching English Overseas

In Pakistan, Being a Doctor is More Than Medicine

Why I Took a Gap Year to Teach in Taiwan

What Happens on a Vision Trip?