May 2018 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

6 Reasons Why You Should Not Go Overseas

Why do you really want to go overseas? If you answered with one of these 6 reasons, you might not be ready! Photo by TEAM

May 29 2018

Working for a missions agency, we get to assess, equip and deploy missionaries all over the world. When we assess them, we’re looking at more than skills and gifts; we look at motivations and reasons why someone wants to go overseas. There are plenty of reasons why people go overseas, but not all of them are great reasons. Maybe the intention is pure, and we want to affirm genuine and holy desires. But we also want to steer those desires in ways that truly honor the Lord rather than fulfilling one’s own mission. Some of the most popular reasons people…

Growing up as a third culture kid has its own challenges, but what's it like to come home to a place you've never called home? Find out as TCK's recount their personal experiences.

May 22 2018

This is part two of a discussion on what it means to be a third culture kid. Check out part one here! I was 10 years old. I was in our apartment living room, sitting on our couch, surrounded by cardboard boxes. I felt sick to my stomach and scared to start over. I told my parents I wasn’t getting on the plane. I felt depressed because I knew I was just spewing nonsense. Of course I would have to get on the plane. I felt angry because my parents seemed so giddy and happy to be going home —…

Octavio was an atheist but loved to play basketball. Discover how TEAM missionaries shared the Gospel with Octavio through a basketball camp ministry in Mexico.

May 17 2018

In Octavio’s experience, Jesus was just part of a cultural religion — not a Savior who changes your life. So it was no wonder when the 15-year-old boy decided to become an atheist. Octavio had learned about evolution in school. It seemed impossible that the scientific theory and God could both be real. And no one he talked to had a convincing answer to his doubts. He started looking into other religions, but they couldn’t answer his questions either. At 15, Octavio decided God couldn’t be real. And he might have stayed that way if it weren’t for basketball. A…

Discover five easy ways to add cross-cultural ministry elements to your VBS event this year! Photo by TEAM

May 15 2018

Children’s ministers, unite! It’s the time of year where your trunk is full of plastic decorations, inflatable balls and paper cups waiting to become a spaceship craft. That’s right: vacation Bible school is almost here! For many churches, vacation Bible school is one of the biggest events of the year. But this event is not just a great way for your church to engage with your community — it’s also a great way to disciple children about God’s heart for the nations! Now, many of us might be thinking, How am I supposed to add one more thing to our…

Who says VBS is only for the kids? Hear Mira's story — how she, a grandmother, is hearing the Good News alongside her family. Photo by TEAM

May 10 2018

Mira heard the Gospel when she was 7 years old. But it didn’t come alive for her until missionaries held a vacation Bible school — for her grandchildren. When it comes to VBS, you may think it’s all about the kids. After all, their parents aren’t going to be at craft time or enjoy the snacks your church made or listen to the Bible story you prepared. But a church in Guadalajara, Mexico, is discovering that God has big plans for the grown-ups who take kids to VBS. A 6-Year-Old’s Prayer TEAM missionaries Carlos and Sandy Rios held their church…

Don't journey into missions alone. Check out these 5 questions to ask your sending church and discover ways you can prepare for the mission field! Photo by TEAM

May 08 2018

It’s never too late to include your church in your missions calling — whether you’re just getting started or have been on the field for years. But it can be hard to figure out where to start. That’s the dilemma a reader recently shared on Instagram. So, we decided to share the five questions every missionary (or potential missionary) should ask their sending church. Plus, we have a free resource to help you keep the conversation going. 1. Will you go on this journey with me? William Carey was a British missionary in the 1800s. When he decided to share…

VBS isn't just for the kids. Discover how you can pray for VBS ministries that are impacting entire families around the world this summer! Photo by TEAM

May 03 2018

Daisy had no idea how a simple “yes” would change her life. A few years ago, her son asked if he could go to vacation Bible school. Daisy’s decision to let him go still impacts her family today. That VBS is where Daisy met TEAM missionaries Art and Vicki — who then introduced her whole family to Christ. Now, Daisy and her husband serve as teachers in the Emmanuel Evangelical Church in Mexico. All because of one decision. All because of one vacation Bible school. This May, will you pray with us for VBS and summer camp ministries? Sign up…

Archive - May 2018

6 Reasons Why You Should Not Go Overseas

Third Culture Kids, Part 2: What it Means to Come Home

How Basketball Reached a Teenage Atheist

How to Make Missions Part of Your VBS

Reaching Grandma Through a Kids’ Ministry

5 Questions to Ask Your Sending Church

How One VBS Brought an Entire Family to Christ [May Prayer Focus]