Changing Lives through ESL [September Prayer Focus]

TEAM - The Evangelical Alliance Mission suzanne.pearson • Sep 03, 2019

Okay, picture this: You’re on a bus crowded with people. You’ve had a long day and you just want to get home. You’re minding your own business, but the bus is so crowded that people keep bumping into you.

You’ve taken all you can when all of the sudden, someone steps on your foot. You cry out in pain and grab your toes.

Now you’re faced with a choice: You can either scream and yell a few choice words at your attacker, or you can slowly put your foot back on the ground and put a smile on your face.

The natural reaction for most of us is probably the former. Not long ago, it would have been Lenka’s reaction too. But that was before she took an ESL class that changed her life.

You see, Lenka lives in Ukraine and wanted to learn to speak English. So she signed up for an ESL club offered by TEAM missionary, Samantha. Through this simple class, Samantha and Lenka formed a close relationship, and Samantha got to share the Gospel with Lenka.

Lenka enthusiastically accepted Christ, and Samantha sees a deep change in her.

“[Lenka] devours Scripture and has so many questions, but the coolest thing I’ve noticed about her faith is how quick she is to share it with others and to apply what she believes to how she lives,” Samantha says. That includes smiling at the stranger who stepped on her foot.

This month, please join us in praying for ESL ministries that are opening the door for people to hear the Gospel all around the world! Keep reading for specific ways you can pray.

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1. Pray for teacher-student relationships that lead to discipleship.

A student goes into class to meet with her teacher

Of course, missionaries who teach ESL want their students to learn English, but their main objective is building relationships and making disciples.

Because ESL is such a great need around the world, English-speakers have unprecedented opportunities to go almost anywhere to teach ESL. For Christians, this means ESL is an avenue to build relationships with people in places all over the world and show them the love of Christ.

One missionary working with ESL in Southeast Asia says, “ We use ESL as a platform. We want them to learn English of course, but our main goal and prayer is first, that we form real and meaningful relationships and second, that those relationships lead to disciple making .”

ESL ministries seek to teach people English, but their main priority is spreading the love of Christ around the world.

Pray that teachers will be able to form deep relationships with their students and have opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray that students will be receptive to hearing and believing in the Gospel.

2. Pray for endurance for ESL students.

There’s no doubt that learning a second language is hard. Even native English speakers know there are a lot of confusing parts about their language. This can lead to frustration and exhaustion for students trying to learn.

A teacher reads to her class full of children eager to learn.

Learning a new language is hard, no matter what age you are. It takes a lot of hard work from both students and teachers.

Students take ESL courses for all kinds of reasons. It can help people get jobs, adapt to new environments and even form relationships.

Pray that God will give students endurance in their studies so that they can learn and use the language. Pray that teachers will know how to teach in a way the students can understand, and pray that teachers will be able to clearly answer any questions they have.

3. Ask God to raise up people passionate about teaching English and spreading the Gospel.

Non-English speaking countries are looking for qualified ESL teachers to come and teach. This means ESL teachers have access to countries and places that may otherwise be difficult to reach. “ESL is such a great way to meet a felt need and a way to holistically express how Christians are different,” Samantha says.

Since ESL is such a huge opportunity to share the Gospel with people, it’s important to have competent, passionate teachers to do the job. And there are many open opportunities for those who are willing.

Pray that God will put a passion in people’s hearts for ESL ministries. Pray that these people will recognize God’s call on their lives and follow it.

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer! Click here to get a print-out of this month’s Prayer Focus requests and praise reports

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Loving Like Jesus Cross-Culturally (Part 2)

By Megan Lunsford • 21 May, 2024

As we engage with others, we need the Lord to guide us with wisdom in walking out Christ-like love that truly displays His heart to the world. Last month on the blog we began to look at what it means to love like Jesus in a cross-cultural setting. We unpacked three facets of Jesus’ love that we tend to overlook when serving others in a context and background very different from our own. (Be sure to check that article out here .) Today we look at three more aspects of Jesus’ love that can transform us and others even more into His likeness: 4. Jesus loved by teaching hard things: Let’s read a quick excerpt from Matthew 24. “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:1-14) How is this an example of loving others well? Jesus didn’t avoid hard topics and even warnings of what was to come. What He shared came from the intense love He had for them. He wanted them to be fully prepared for what they would experience. He cared so much that he took the time needed to explain difficult things while also giving hope for the result. Have you shared with anyone lately what is to come when this life is over? Do those you spend time with know how to prepare to walk out a victorious life in God’s kingdom amid increasing darkness? Consider what hard topics you may be avoiding and ask the Lord to bring revelation in how you might approach discussion with others. In a cross-cultural setting, remember to be mindful of teaching the Scriptures out of our own cultural norms and pre-conceptions of what we know to be true. Engage in these topics carefully and with great prayer and discernment. And always remain a learner, realizing we can take away new knowledge and insights from others as well. 5. Jesus loved by complete obedience: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 9:42-44) We see in Scripture that Jesus was in anguish, with drops of sweat like blood, as He fully surrendered to God’s will over his. Jesus’ obedience to the Father set the stage for all that would come; His death and resurrection, our forgiveness of sins, redemption, deliverance, and ultimate gift of eternal life. In the same way, our complete obedience to the Father’s will over our own desires sets things into motion for the Kingdom of God and can literally be life or death to those He is sending us to and the things He has purposed for us to do. This level of surrender comes with a cost that most aren’t willing to pay. However, Jesus set a painful yet beautiful example of what can happen if we are fully given over to God’s purposes. You might say, “I am already living an obedient life.” Perhaps you have sold everything and followed Jesus to the nations. Or maybe you are putting your hands to local mission work daily in a cross-cultural setting. Isn’t that enough? Think of the rich, young ruler. Is there an area of your life that you still have a tight grip on and aren’t fully ready to let go? Maybe there is an even bolder step that God has been calling you into, and it’s time to give your “all-in-yes.” What awaits on the other side of your complete surrender is more beautiful and rewarding than you could ever imagine. 6. Jesus loved by healing all who came to Him: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Matt. 4:23) When we have the resurrected Christ living inside of us, we can offer hope to all who we encounter. What we carry within us is no small matter. It is the Kingdom of God and should impact all those around us 100% of the time. Sure, we have tough days or difficult situations that can cause hindrances. But more often than not, we should see a Heavenly difference in every environment we step into as carriers of God’s presence and glory. One practical way to prepare ourselves to steward well the relationships God gives us is to start thanking Him now for each person you will encounter as you go. Ask Him to reveal the truth of what you carry inside, for specific strategies on how to apply it practically when He brings someone into your path, and for your display of His kingdom to be honoring and beautiful to the culture around you––for His glory. Why is it important to consider the more difficult facets of how Jesus loved? Because we often connect with and choose to apply those that make us least uncomfortable. The challenge is we only lead people into the parts of Jesus’ love that we find the easiest to walk in. But this approach is a barrier to a full transformation into the likeness of Christ, for both us and for them. As you engage in relationships, ask the Lord to show you any areas of His heart that you’ve been withholding from others in how you love them. Then, as He reveals, ask Him to guide you with wisdom as you walk out applying these new displays of His heart to the world around you.

Exploring The Creative Power of Creative Arts Ministry

By Lorena de la Rosa • 16 May, 2024

Creative Arts Ministries focus on using the arts to provide new avenues for Gospel reach and discipleship around the world. Ever felt the urge to channel your creative talents into a higher purpose but were unsure where to start? Whether your passion lies in art, music, or another creative endeavor, God is opening doors where creativity meets ministry, where the journey of expression takes on new meaning with eternal significance. Creative Arts Ministry is all about using your creative side to share the Gospel, encourage the global Church, and build disciples all around the world. Made with a Purpose At TEAM, Creative Arts Ministry encompasses a variety of initiatives and global workers on multiple continents, all focused on using the arts to provide avenues for the Gospel. Jon Tello, TEAM’s Global Arts Ministry Coordinator is a creative person who was first called to ministry when he was in 9th grade, even though he had no idea what that meant. “I talked to my pastors, and they said, ‘Hey, this is awesome, you’re going to be a pastor. You’re going to preach and teach God’s word,’” Jon recalls. He wasn’t sure how his love and gifting for art fit into this. Yet in his heart, Jon knew, “God made me into an artist for a purpose.” Jon says his experience is not unique. Many who feel called to global missions feel that their passion for the arts must take a back seat. They are left with the question, “As an artist, how do I fit into the bigger framework of this thing that we call the global Church?” Luke, a TEAM global worker in Japan, concurs. “A lot of people get into [cross-cultural work] just adjacent to where their skill is,” says Luke. He goes on to explain a great metaphor for what happens next. “In music, there’s a term called ‘dissonance.’ It’s when there are two notes very close together, but they clash.” Being near to one’s true calling and giftedness, yet not quite able to express it can lead to frustration and burnout. For Jon, Luke, and many others in TEAM, God is helping them find a “sweet spot” where they can use their creative gifts for Kingdom work, particularly in areas where traditional church planting and direct evangelism are difficult if not impossible. A Call to Creatives In a world teeming with creativity and a growing desire for missions, many find themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to blend their artistic talents with the call to serve. Picture this: a vast landscape of possibilities, where your creativity isn't just a skill, but a powerful tool waiting to be unleashed in the mission field. Jon’s role in TEAM allows him to help global workers tap into this potential. Jon remarks that the concept of art for ministry is anything but new. During the Renaissance period, the literary rate was so low that the Church commissioned artists to create beautiful images to communicate with the people. Jon says Creative Arts ministry today works very much the same way to reach and impact believers and unbelievers alike in ways that words alone cannot. “In a sense, we are artists commissioned by the Church that are going out across the globe, doing just that: creating imagery, creating music, creating a story to tell,” Jon says. Though once a TEAM Italy global worker, Jon now works alongside other artists to help them use their skills in ministry. “They need somebody to help them embrace who God has created them to be and for what purpose,” Jon said. “And once we’re able to do that, it’s a beautiful thing to see these artists truly thrive.”