Mary Beth Fussner, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

5 Ways to Prepare for Long-Term Missions Service

If God's calling you to long-term missions, you've probably wondered, "What do I do now?" Find out how you can begin preparing today!

Jul 26 2018

Feeling the conviction to serve in long-term missions is an exciting time in any Christian’s life. It may come during a short-term mission trip or an engaging sermon at church. It may shock you or feel like exactly what you’ve been waiting for. But however you felt led to long-term missions, you’re probably wondering, “What do I do now?” My calling to serve God in missions came at the age of 14, in the form of an unmistakable inner conversation with God that I couldn’t ignore. That started me on the path of preparation. Since then, I’ve not only served…

Following God into new situations and cultures will very likely catapult you into a VUCA environment. What does that mean for a missionary's journey? Photo by TEAM

Aug 10 2017

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That’s the proverb we quote when it comes to making something good out of a bad situation — something sweet out of something sour. But what about intentionally picking lemons so you can make lemonade? Global corporations do that! The international market environment is described as volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA). In other words, it hands out lemons and demands leaders who can make lemonade. And it turns out that the best way to develop those demanded abilities is to work in a situation that demands those abilities. Some large corporations are…

Preparing for missions? Moving overseas and saying goodbye to the people and places you love is not easy. Here are six tips on how to leave well.

Apr 26 2017

When Jesus told us to “go to all the world,” “go” meant leave! Leave home. Leave family. Leave what’s familiar, and go to what is strange to you. For a missionary, all the studying, fundraising, preparation and planning marches inexorably to this point: time to “go.” Two letters. One small step into the aircraft door. One big turning point. That moment can be an intensely lonely moment, both for those leaving and those who are left. However, both parties are in company with a lot of people in today’s world. Jerry Jones, a blogger who lives in China and…

In a world that offers us new reasons to be afraid or dismayed every day, what if we change the definition of a normal Christian? Photo by TEAM

Mar 21 2016

Recently, I sat only a few feet away from an awe-inspiring person — a woman who has spent 60 years serving people in a place others choose to avoid. As a young woman, she left her home for a place so opposed to Christians, I cannot write her name. For nearly her whole life, she has provided medical care for chronically-ill Muslims in hopes that each would find true healing in Christ. As she spoke of her Muslim friends, the fire of love burned through her eyes and her words. It was impossible to leave her presence without thinking, “How does a person…

Author - Mary Beth Fussner

5 Ways to Prepare for Long-Term Missions Service

The Business Secret Every Missionary Knows

Preparing for Missions: 6 Tips for a Healthy Goodbye

It’s Time to Redefine a “Normal” Christian