Forced to Start Over — with Nothing [June Prayer Focus]

TEAM – The Evangelical Alliance Mission • Jun 05, 2018

Fear swept over Farrah* as rebel soldiers pulled her family over to the side of the road. They hadn’t even made it to the Jordanian border yet.

She and her family had packed all their money in socks and fled their Iraqi village after rebel forces took over. But now, here they were, face-to-face with the people they were trying to escape.

When the soldiers yelled for everyone to get out of the vehicle, Farrah obeyed. Instantly, there was a gun at her head.

She knew they wanted the money. Slipping a hand inside one of the socks, she thought, “If I could just take one coin, it would make such a difference in our lives in Jordan.”

But she quickly overcame the temptation. She knew she would be shot if the rebels found even one coin on her.

The soldiers finally left, but only after taking every last coin Farrah’s family had.

They would have to start their new lives penniless.

Refugees like Farrah are being displaced every day. They didn’t choose to leave their homes. But they now find themselves trying to survive in communities that are not their own — often with severe trauma.

While these people face overwhelming hardship, God is calling us to show Christ’s love in tangible, practical ways.

This June, will you pray with us for refugee ministries around the world?

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1. Pray that workers can meet the varying needs of refugees.

Imagine having to suddenly leave your home and start over in a foreign country with little to nothing. You don’t understand the language. You don’t know the legal systems. How can you hope to even find a job or reliable transportation?

TEAM missionary Laura* teaches English to refugees in California. She knows English is a basic survival skill for many of the people she helps. But she says she’s learning more and more that there are other needs hiding beneath of the surface, like transportation and medical help.

Learning English is one of many needs refugees have when they come to the U.S. While learning the language, they also have to figure out housing, transportation and employment! Photo by TEAM

Please pray that God’s people will recognize the varying needs of their new neighbors. Pray that they will reach out in peace to these vulnerable families without hesitation.

2. Pray that nations will open their doors to refugees.

Government policymakers can be apprehensive when it comes to helping large amounts of refugees. But these displaced people need somewhere to settle in order to reconstruct their lives.

TEAM missionary Sara Titus is working with two Chinese refugees, Anicka* and Eva*, in Prague, Czech Republic. They were forced to flee their homeland due to religious persecution.

Last February, they — along with 84 other Chinese refugees — were denied international protection. They have appealed the decision. So now, they wait, fearful of what the future might bring.

Unfortunately, situations like Anicka and Eva’s are common now that the refugee crisis has become so immense.

Ask God to move in those who have the power to act on behalf of people like Anicka and Eva. Pray that refugees will be able to stay in places where they have already learned the language and formed friendships.

3. Pray that refugee ministries will receive the funds they need to continue.

Due to economic strain, many government-funded programs have been cut since the refugee crisis first broke out in 2011 . But the need for these programs is still as great as it was seven years ago.

“The needs are endless… [but] the situation now for refugees still here is worse than it was at the beginning of the crisis,” says one TEAM missionary. “Many of them are so desperate that they are going back to Syria, even though it is still quite dangerous there.”

Pray that God’s people will rally around refugees , even when entire governments might look the other way. Pray that refugee ministries and programs will receive the resources and support they need.

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.

*Names changed.

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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.”