Bethany DuVal, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

The Church Planting Program That Became a Filipino Movement

Thanks to CPI's network, dozens of churches like this one in Mangaldan have been planted across the Philippines.

Dec 15 2021

The students at the Church Planting Institute are a mismatched bunch. High school dropouts and college professors. A former gang member and a former aspiring priest. Mature believers and brand new ones. But they’re all attending the CPI because they share two things in common. “It’s basically, do you believe in Christ? Are you passionate about Him enough to invest your life in multiplying for Christ?” says TEAM missionary David Weaver. “And if you are, then … we’ll take you wherever you’re at and disciple you from there.” This easy entry philosophy might not lend the Filipino school much prestige,…

Christian missionaries are increasingly coming from the Global South. Now it’s time to lift them up in prayer.

Dec 01 2021

When a Brazilian decides to become a missionary, she faces challenges most American missionaries don’t. An American missionary might worry about living in a slightly more expensive nation, like Japan or Germany. But one Brazilian real is worth just 18 U.S. cents. When a Brazilian sets out for Europe or parts of Asia, raising support takes an act of God. Like an American, the Brazilian missionary will go to language school. But before she can learn her host country’s language, she’ll likely need to learn English — the language of instruction. And, if our missionary is like many Brazilian workers,…

Gaby thought Christians were fanatics. Now, Gaby’s whole life is centered on knowing God and leading others to Him.

Oct 13 2021

“I remember that my mother told me, ‘Now that you know about the word of God, are you ready to wear a straightjacket?’” Those aren’t the words you expect a Christian mother to say to her newly-saved daughter. But Gaby knew her mom’s teasing came from a place of inexpressible joy. Gaby married and had children young, so she spent years trying to recapture her youth. While her husband “worked all the time,” Gaby says, “I really like to be in the streets.” Her mom tried to tell her about God. Gaby thought it was madness to give up freedom…

Papuan pastor Nimbrot preaches at a baptismal service

Nimbrot (left) knows the Gospel because of Western missionaries. Now he's calling his people to continue Christ's mission.

Sep 14 2021

Nimbrot was a kid when white, Western missionaries came to his part of Papua, Indonesia. “Now,” Nimbrot says, “it’s our turn.” It’s a rare attitude in Nimbrot’s tribe, the Auyu. Since the first missionaries came to and left South Papua, the Church there has struggled with discipleship and growth. Nimbrot decided to become a pastor in his 20s and was quickly sucked into a leadership vacuum. Without any Bible training, he became a regional leader for his denomination. But Nimbrot was already thinking beyond his region. He knew there were many tribes, deep inside Papua’s jungles, who hadn’t heard the…

Your first year as missionary is less about bold ministry than it is about diligent studying and acclimation.

Aug 25 2021

“Your goal for the first term is to survive and want to come back.” When Eric Binion got this advice, he was a new missionary in South Africa. And at first, it sounded as absurd to him as it probably sounds to you. Eric already wanted to be in South Africa. Plus, a missionary’s first term is generally four years in-country. After language school, you still have two years to dedicate fully to ministry. Why aim for such a low goal? Decades later, Eric is giving the same advice. So, what should you expect your first year as a missionary?…

With crushing debt, a dying mother and a looming prison sentence, Murad was in desperate need of a miracle. Then, he dreamed of a missionary.

Jul 19 2021

Every salvation story is different. Murad began his by hitting a pedestrian with his car. The accident wasn’t necessarily all his fault, but in Murad’s Middle Eastern country, that doesn’t matter. The person at fault is the one who doesn’t get hurt The medical bills stacked up quickly, and Murad was responsible for all of them. Tradition also required Murad to pay a separate amount as an apology to the family. The full amount was 20 times what Murad made in one month. In the midst of that crisis, Murad’s family was hit with another: Murad’s mother, Qismah, was diagnosed…

When it comes to finding the best books on missions, there’s no one better to ask than actual missionaries!

Jun 17 2021

There are almost endless books on Christian missions to read. Rather than try to identify the best, we decided to ask missionaries for their favorites. This list is a perfect mix of memoir, faith-building insights and cultural education. And they’ve all proven themselves invaluable to missionaries around the world. Check out the list, and then be sure to share your favorite books on missions in the comments! Have We No Rights? by Mabel Williamson Recommended by Amie Bockstahler, missionary to Guatemala Demanding your rights is a treasured American pastime. But is it compatible with the mission field? That’s the question…

With limited internet access, one Peruvian church has had to think differently about how to do church during an ongoing pandemic.

Jun 10 2021

Throughout the pandemic, churches have celebrated the power of online services. People who would never have set foot in a church could casually hop online for a bit of hope. But for people in the community of Ciudad de Dios, going online for church is an impossible luxury. Located on the outskirts of Arequipa, Peru, the neighborhood is made of people working simple jobs with meager wages. Any internet access comes in the form of cell phone data. And with schools online during COVID-19, families have had to use most of their data for their children’s educations. Now, well into…

In the face of sex trafficking, drug culture and a global pandemic, kids greatly need our support. Let’s pray for children’s ministries.

May 02 2021

Childhood is one of the easiest seasons of life to embrace the Gospel. “Kids are not cynical at this age,” says TEAM worker Ellen*, “and they’re open to learning what we have to say. They trust that what an adult is telling them is true.” But in today’s world, the age of innocence doesn’t last long. In Southeast Asia, where Ellen serves, girls are sold into the sex trade before they even reach puberty. In South Africa, kids contend with a drug culture that fills their schools and neighborhoods. In Mexico, missionaries share how COVID-19 restrictions have driven many kids…

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…

Author - Bethany DuVal

The Church Planting Program That Became a Filipino Movement

God’s Calling Missionaries from Every Nation. Here’s How to Pray.

A Hurricane Destroyed Her Neighborhood — and Led Her to Christ

‘Now It’s Our Turn’: A Papuan’s Call to Reach Papuans

5 Things to Expect Your First Year as a Missionary

When a Muslim Dreams of a Missionary

Missionaries’ Favorite Books on Missions

When Your Church Still Can’t Meet in Person — or Online

How to Pray for Youth and Children’s Ministries

Facing Persecution, But She Has Peace