2017 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

AIDS Almost Killed Him, You Gave Him Hope

Danilo* was running from God for years, but one day he received life-altering news that changed everything. Keep reading to find out how your support impacted his life! Photo by TEAM

Dec 22 2017

This time last year, Danilo* was surprised to even be alive. After years of running from God, Danilo found out he had AIDS in October 2016. He wondered if he’d even live to see another Christmas! But through your caring support, you gave Danilo a second chance. And today, he’s celebrating Christmas as a brother in Christ! Keep reading to discover how God used you to change Danilo’s life forever! The Sin He Couldn’t Defeat Danilo’s story was ordinary at the beginning. When Danilo was a young man, TEAM missionaries Jim and Sara Rodson* planted a church in his Southeast…

Iranian refugee Hamid used to travel the world searching for truth. Little did he know what that would ultimately cost him. Photo by TEAM

Dec 21 2017

Hamid used to travel the world searching for truth, but he says it was like “you lose something, and you don’t know what it is.” That changed when he moved to Turkey and visited the St. Paul Cultural Center — a TEAM ministry made possible by generous people like you! When Hamid showed up with questions, a staff pastor shared the Gospel. Now Hamid is a growing Christian who works with and is discipled by TEAM missionaries. Looking back, Hamid has no doubt that God brought him there. Hamid Searched the World for Answers Life in Iran wasn’t hard for…

Gather the family together to make this Christmas keepsake and remember the reason Christ came to Earth! Photo by TEAM

Dec 19 2017

Christmas is more than a holiday. It’s a time when we remember that Christ came to Earth so the whole world could experience true joy and lasting relationship with Him. This year, we want to help you create a tangible reminder of why we celebrate. This ornament is also a great reminder to pray for those all over the world who have yet to hear the Good News — and the missionaries sharing it. Ready? Let’s get started! This craft is perfect for the whole family, ages 6 and up. Download instructions and templates here. Prep time: 30 min. Dry…

Nandi was orphaned by AIDS at a young age, but thanks to the support of friends like you, she now has more opportunities than she ever dreamed possible. Photo by TEAM

Dec 14 2017

Most AIDS orphans couldn’t dream of becoming military doctors or getting into politics. Most don’t get to lead Bible studies or vacation Bible school classes. But because of friends like you, 17-year-old Nandi is dreaming big and using her gifts for God! Read on to find out how you changed Nandi’s life! Orphaned at 3 Nandi lost her mom and brother when she was just 3 years old. And though she was young, she treasures her memories of them. Her mom was an elementary school teacher. Her brother was smart and a good friend. And tuberculosis and HIV killed them…

Sharing the Gospel through medical missions often sends workers into the most remote, and often most diseased, parts of the world in the name of Jesus. Will you join us in praying for these missionaries? Photo by TEAM

Dec 01 2017

There’s an old saying that “people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” If anyone understands that, it’s Jesus. During His ministry on Earth, He often healed people’s physical ailments before tending to their spiritual needs. Being the hands and feet of Christ means that we are called to bring hope and healing. For this reason, medical missionaries go into the most remote, and often most diseased, parts of the globe. This December, will you pray with us for medicine and healthcare ministries around the world? Click here to get a printable version of these requests,…

How does an "us vs. them" mentality limit our call to missions? Keep reading to find out. Photo by TEAM

Nov 27 2017

In Luke 10, Jesus calls the crowds to “[love] your neighbor as yourself,” prompting a religious leader to ask, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke tells us the lawyer intended the question to “justify himself.” How does the question justify the questioner? By limiting those he was responsible to love. In an earlier post, I shared my belief that, when it comes to mobilizing people toward global missions, we often fail because we tend to wield the law instead of meeting people with the Gospel. The religious ruler of Luke 10 asks a question that naturally rises out of law-based…

Does your relationship with your church impact your involvement in missions? Keep reading to see how your calling and community are often intertwined. Photo by TEAM

Nov 21 2017

“What does your church say about going to Ghana?” Hmm…. Now that was a question I hadn’t considered before. What did my church have to say about what country I was serving in and what I was doing while there? When someone asked me that question after I returned from a summer mission trip to West Africa, I was a little surprised. It’s not that my church wasn’t involved in sending me. They had financially supported me and told me they were proud of me. But when I stopped and thought about it, I realized I hadn’t taken a moment…

A true picture of hospitality: watch how TEAM missionaries use their resources in Paris to provide member care for other missionaries.

Nov 09 2017

The Robelots work as regional member care coordinators for TEAM in Europe and Chad. The couple became missionaries in 1987 and have since developed a heart to help their fellow missionaries through difficult seasons. The Robelots prayerfully decided to purchase the studio apartment located above their house, which has become known as The Upper Room. Now missionaries come there for rest, renewal, recreation and restoration. Video Transcript: Missy says, “When we moved into this house, we noticed that there was an apartment. We began praying that maybe this would become an apartment that would serve to just allow missionaries to come…

Setting tables, pouring coffee, hosting retreats... Around the world, missionaries share the Gospel through simple acts of hospitality. Photo by TEAM

Nov 02 2017

Everyone needs food and rest — which may be why nothing has as much potential to bring strangers together as fellowship and sharing meals. This gives missionaries around the world huge opportunities to share Christ’s love through hospitality, whether it’s providing a safe place of retreat for fellow missionaries who are feeling burned out or running a cafe in the heart of Tokyo that attracts people from all walks of life. This November, will you pray with us for hospitality ministries around the world? Click here to get a printable version of these requests, and sign up here to get…

American football is a new idea in Europe. But it’s opening hearts to other unusual ideas — like the Gospel. Photo courtesy of Jakub Pláteník

Oct 31 2017

On a damp and wintry afternoon in Prague, Czech Republic, TEAM missionary Zach Harrod was running down the street — not for exercise, not to escape danger, but simply to go from one meeting to another. He and his wife, Míša, had just spent time with friends who were part of their support team. And now Zach had to hurry to his next meeting — football practice. The rest of the afternoon, Zach coached, recruited, hauled equipment between locations and led conditioning workouts and practices. Zach and Míša live with this interesting mix of ministry every day — helping plant…

Archive - 2017

AIDS Almost Killed Him, You Gave Him Hope

Persecuted for a Book He Didn’t Believe

DIY: “Joy to the World” Ornament

From AIDS Orphan to Aspiring Doctor

When Medical Workers Go to the Ends of the Earth [December Prayer Focus]

Why “Us vs. Them” Won’t Reach a Lost World

Giving Your Community a Voice in Your Calling

A Tiny Apartment That Restores Hearts [VIDEO]

Ministry and Hospitality: One and the Same? [November Prayer Focus]

How American Football is Winning European Souls