April 2021 - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Don’t Say the ‘M’ Word: Sharing Ministry from High-Security Nations

For missionaries in high-security nations, communication is a constant concern. One careless email can endanger an entire ministry.

Apr 29 2021

My heart rate skyrocketed in seconds, and my blood pressure probably followed suit soon after. “You got to be kidding me! Why?” I couldn’t believe it had happened once again. “I have said multiple times not to use the ‘M’ word.” Not spelling out “missionary” is basic security 101 for anyone working in a high-security country — a nation where surveillance is high and the Gospel is either not welcomed or is discouraged. My immediate reaction was anger, but it was a cover emotion for fear. Would this be the time that someone was actually reading my communication? What would…

We’ve focused so much on church planting teams and strategies that we’ve forgotten what church planting is really all about: conversions.

Apr 20 2021

Many contemporary church-planting ministries are conceived much like a business. The model centers on administrative, gifted leadership that guides already-committed Christians to organize the birth of a new church. But can I be bold and say this isn‘t a true “birth,“ but rather a reorganization of believers from one location to another? Therein lies the crisis of contemporary church planting in the Western world: organizing churches without birthing them. See if this sounds familiar: A called and gifted leader inspires other Christians to start a new church. They meet regularly to pray, plan and lay out a strategy they’ll use…

For Harriet, following Christ means struggling to feed her family and facing threats — but she wouldn’t trade Him for anything.

Apr 15 2021

What does a new Christian do when she has to choose between following Jesus and earning a living? Harriet made her living as a religious teacher and healer in the town of Goz Beïda, Chad. Her beliefs were a blend of Islam and traditional folk religion. Three or four evil spirits would regularly come to Harriet, providing undisclosed details: This person has this illness. This person’s brother has cursed them. This person needs this specific treatment. Harriet would then provide a traditional herbal remedy or potion to solve her clients’ problems. And because she was well-versed in the Quran, she…

A church stands in Dresden, Germany, a post-Christian culture

Post-Christian cultures see the Church as a quaint relic at best — and dangerous at worst. Pray for post-Christian cultures to see Christ’s life-transforming love.

Apr 01 2021

When a missionary goes to serve in Europe, most people assume they must have a pretty easy time. After all, there are already church buildings everywhere. But TEAM missionary Jessica Applegarth describes it differently: “I heard a missionary here in Ireland says they feel like they spend all of their time pulling rocks out of the soil. [It’s] incredibly important for the planting process, but you don’t see any growth. You’re not even to the planting seeds stage yet.” For generations, Europeans have seen religion used to gain political power. They’ve watched religious leaders abuse the vulnerable without being held…

Archive - April 2021

Don’t Say the ‘M’ Word: Sharing Ministry from High-Security Nations

Why True Church Planting Must Start with Conversion

Facing Persecution, But She Has Peace

How to Pray for Post-Christian Cultures