2016 - Page 8 of 8 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Urban Ministry is a Gateway to the Globe

As Chicago becomes globally-integrated, it is creating new ministry opportunities like never before.

Feb 08 2016

Imagine a quiet May Sunday morning in a Chicago neighborhood. I am on my way to catch a Blue Line train for worship at our local church. Suddenly, from behind me arises the baritone backfire of hundreds of motorcycles cruising along the street. As the cyclists pass, I notice the red and white of the Polish flag everywhere, from the patches on riders’ jackets to the flags flying from the rear of the motorcycles. It is May 3 — Constitution Day — a public holiday in Poland that celebrates the Duchy of Warsaw from the 18th century and the fall…

What will God do in our lives this Lent as we become still and pray daily? Photo by TEAM

Feb 03 2016

Have you considered this bold invitation from God: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations” (Ps. 46:10, NIV)? In the frenetic craziness of our world, what might happen if you, me and millions of people accepted God’s challenge and found time to “be still’” with him, even for a few minutes? What if we all did it on the same days, for 40 consecutive days, in anticipation of the greatest day in human history, Easter Sunday? What might God say to us? What might he be planning to do “among the nations”?…

As Muslims continue to migrate to the United States, the opportunity for Muslim ministry is greater than ever.

Feb 01 2016

Today, we welcome a long-term worker in the Middle East to the TEAM blog. He shares his thoughts on the unprecedented opportunity North Americans have today to engage in Muslim ministry. Because of governmental opposition to the Gospel and gospel workers in his region, his identity will remain anonymous. When I was a newcomer to the Middle East 30 years ago, I quickly realized that effective communication requires interpreting language through the filter of culture. For example, the common phrase “Bukra, Insha’Allah” is easily translated as “Tomorrow, if Allah wills.” But with time and experience, I learned that in application, the real meaning is…

Short-term missionary, Hanna Smith travelled through Thailand to document the work of ministry leaders there.

Jan 29 2016

Hanna Smith traveled from New Orleans to Thailand to serve on a short-term mission trip. She used her gifts as a photographer to document workers in the field. Scroll through to catch a glimpse of missions in Thailand along with commentary from Hanna. Want to go and experience Thai culture for yourself? Join TEAM on a vision trip to Thailand and Southeast Asia this summer. Learn more about ministry opportunities and see firsthand the need for the gospel to be spread throughout this region.

Your supporting church is spiritually and financially investing in your short-term missions trip. Here's tips on how you can support them, too. Photo by TEAM

Jan 26 2016

As a logistics coordinator for short-term missions, I am constantly encouraged by the faith of the missionaries I work with. Recently, a short-term missionary I am working with came to me with one of the most beautiful questions I’ve been asked during my time with TEAM: “How can I bless my supporting church through my mission trip?” My heart soared. Here at TEAM, one of our highest values is the church from beginning to end. We engage existing churches in cooperative efforts to establish new reproducing churches worldwide. It is encouraging to know our short-term missionaries are just as passionate about strengthening the church as we are….

Fundraising for your short-term missions trip can be difficult. Here are seven tips to make fundraising for mission trips a blessing instead of a burden.

Jan 25 2016

So, you’re ready to go on a short-term mission trip. Awesome! You’ve done your research, completed your application and gotten your immunizations. Now comes the best part: fundraising. For many, raising support is the toughest part of going on a mission trip. There are so many myths and falsehoods surrounding support raising, (Fundraising is asking for handouts. It will alienate my friends. It’s another step I have to do before I can start my real ministry.…) that it’s easy to lose sight of the blessing fundraising brings to all who are involved. You’re not just asking people to write a check,…

A short-term mission trip to Japan gave one couple vision for longer-term missionary service with a few plot twists along the way. Photo by TEAM

Jan 19 2016

It certainly wasn’t the first short-term trip I had taken. My husband and I knew before we were married that we wanted to be missionaries in Japan, as we had traveled there with our church and other organizations. Short-term ministry was nothing new to us, but on March 11, 2011, as we saw the tsunami hit Japan in one of the worst disasters the country ever experienced, we knew we had to go back and help. In our mind, we wanted to just go and aid the country we loved in their hour of need. What we didn’t know is that…

Short-term missions isn't one size fits all, but here are three lessons I learned on my short-term missions trip to Greece.

Jan 12 2016

Short-term missions isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different. Every person is different. But when I traveled to Greece this past summer, I learned three important lessons that likely apply to anyone considering being a short-term missionary. It will be harder than you expect. Yes, there will be the planes delayed, luggage lost and miscommunication, but these won’t make or break your trip. When I was called to step out of my comfort zone and go on this trip in the first place, I reached points where I doubted this was what I was supposed to be doing, and in those moments…

Urbana Student Missions Conference has been the catalyst for thousands to enter the mission field, including some serving with TEAM. Photo by TEAM staff

Jan 04 2016

What does it look like to be “called” to missions? Last week 15,000 college-aged students gathered at the Urbana Student Missions Conference to wrestle with the same question. Many TEAM missionaries and staff are currently serving because of their experience at Urbana. Read the testimonies of Rachel and Doug, who both received their missions callings at Urbana, but whose obedience to that call has taken them down different paths. When You’re Called to Go Doug Witzig’s Story: I made a commitment at summer camp between my sophomore and junior years in high school to be open to becoming a missionary. When Urbana…

Archive - 2016

Urban Ministry is a Gateway to the Globe

40 Days of Stillness + Free Lent Prayer Guide

Loving, Not Fearing, Your Muslim Neighbor

Photo Journal: Thailand

How to Support Your Supporting Church

7 Fundraising Tips for Your Short-Term Mission Trip

A Short-Term Mission Trip to Japan Changed My Life

3 Things I Learned On My Short-Term Missions Trip

How God Used Urbana to Call TEAM Workers