January 2017 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

7 Facts You Should Know About Taiwan

Taiwan's culture is a captivating tapestry of old and new traditions. Here are seven facts about Taiwan you should know before you see it for yourself. Photos by TEAM

Jan 30 2017

When the Portuguese landed in Taiwan, they called it “Formosa,” meaning “beautiful island.” And appropriately so. Taiwan teems with natural wonders like cascading rivers, hot springs and the highest mountains in Northeast Asia. Today, this natural beauty is the backdrop for some of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. Here are seven facts about Taiwan you should know before you see this tapestry of ancient and new for yourself. 1. It’s the size of Belgium with the population of Australia. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet. It is only slightly bigger than Belgium and home to…

The majority of Europeans identify with the Christian faith. So why is there a need for missionaries there? Photo by TEAM.

Jan 25 2017

When you think of mission work, what comes to mind probably isn’t someone in France discussing theology with a neighbor over cappuccinos. But the reality is, Europe critically needs more Christian missionaries to make disciples. There are several reasons we leave Europe off the map when we think of spreading the gospel “to the ends of the earth.” The most glaring one being that the gospel has already been spread there. In the New Testament, we read about the gospel’s early adoption in Europe through Paul’s letters to the church in modern-day Greece, Italy and Turkey. Marble statues, massive cathedrals…

Whether the word committee makes your cringe or cheer, your church needs a dedicated group of people to focus on global missions. Photo by TEAM

Jan 19 2017

It’s easy to assume someone at your church will do mission work. After all, isn’t the church charged with the Great Commission as one of Jesus’ last commands on earth? But the reality is, living in obedience to God’s mission takes intentionality. Having point people focus on how the church is called to share the gospel, send new missionaries and care for sent ones is critical to any congregation. In many churches, this group of people is called the missions committee. Whether your church loves committees or feels like the word is old-fashioned, there is just something effective about a group…

Lesotho doesn't make international headlines very often, but this lesser-known nation is in need of Christian workers to go and share the gospel.

Jan 17 2017

When we consider overseas missions, we are often captivated by impact. We consider locations, gifts and desires to “maximize” kingdom effectiveness. Many of us look at cities like London, Tokyo or Dubai where we pray that the ripple effect of our efforts will carry on for generations. The longing is God-given, and if the Lord leads us there, we should joyfully accept the privilege. But it’s good to remember Jesus isn’t confined to big cities and major outposts of industry and commerce. He cares about the less dense populations, the marginalized and the forgotten but equally wanted. He cares about…

Do you think of yourself as a missions mobilizer? If you've served overseas before, God can use your experience to mobilize even more workers to the field. Photo by TEAM

Jan 11 2017

For the gospel to spread, people must be mobilized to go spread it. And if you’ve ever served as a missionary (even short-term), you are uniquely equipped to show others where and how they can serve, too. When I began getting my classmates involved in missions, I had no idea it would one day be my full-time ministry to mobilize the church to missions. I started small. And today, I want to show you how you can do the same. How I Became an Accidental Missions Mobilizer In college, a TEAM missions coach recognized my desire to serve God in missions,…

A vision trip is not a short-term mission trip. It's an opportunity for people to explore what it would actually be like to serve overseas.

Jan 10 2017

Ever tried on snazzy red sweater only to find it makes you look like a tomato? Or discovered that you actually love your cousin’s boring hand-me-downs? Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way we expect. It’s why clothing stores provide fitting rooms, colleges arrange campus visits and employers conduct interviews. And it’s why TEAM offers vision trips. A vision trip is a short-term experience designed to help globally-minded Christians explore life on the mission field. Participants travel to see ministries up close, encounter a new culture and spend quality time with current missionaries. To go on a vision trip,…

Archive - January 2017

7 Facts You Should Know About Taiwan

Does Europe Need Missionaries?

3 Reasons Why Your Church Needs a Missions Committee

5 Reasons to Be a Missionary in Lesser-Known Lesotho

Don’t Underestimate Your Potential to Mobilize Missionaries

Is a Vision Trip Right for You?