missionary calling Archives - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Early African American Missionaries Who Changed the World for Christ

Feb 25 2022

When most people think of early Western missionaries, names like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and TEAM’s own Fredrik Franson come to mind. Alongside these well-known evangelists were unsung African American heroes of the faith, dedicated men and women responding to the call of the Great Commission. In celebration of Black History Month, we are honored to share a few of those stories. George Liele It is amazing to realize the first recorded American missionary was African American. His name was George Liele and he was a former Virginia-born slave who began ministering in Jamaica in 1783, a full decade before…

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,…

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?…

How do you know if God is calling you to long-term missions? Who are the best candidates for short-term mission trips? We’ve got answers.

Jul 27 2021

The journey of pursuing missions is unique for each person. God is personal and above all, and He is able to orchestrate all the details of a missionary’s life for His honor and glory. And yet, as you pursue cross-cultural Christian missions, you might find yourself stuck on this question: How long should you commit to overseas missions service? Is there really a valuable difference between short-term missions or a mid-term assignment? Should you just jump into long-term missions and commit your foreseeable future to overseas work? As a TEAM missions coach, I regularly help people walk through these questions,…

Serving in international churches is a chance to minister to unreached people groups in closed nations - with the government’s blessing.

Feb 14 2021

In a world where missionary visas are increasingly hard to get, Hunter and Wendy* are doing something truly remarkable. They’re moving to a Muslim-majority country where local churches operate underground. They’ll work to make disciples among unreached people groups. And they’ll do it with the local government’s approval. It sounds impossible, but opportunities like this are opening around the world, thanks to international churches. “It’s kind of amazing because it’s a Muslim country, and it’s illegal to become a Christian there, … but I’m going to have ‘pastor’ in my visa,” Hunter says. Committed to the Unreached Hunter and Wendy…

Annie Wilson smiling despite missionary challenges she faced

Annie took the missionary assignment of a lifetime in Chad. Then everything went sideways.

Jan 21 2021

I don’t want to be a missionary anymore, Annie Wilson thought. She’d followed God’s leading and left her P.E. teaching and coaching job to serve Him overseas. So why did it feel like a dead end? Exploring Missions Annie began exploring missions in 2014 when she was asked a question: “What would you be willing to give up for God?” As Annie wrestled with her answer, she discovered TEAM and saw opportunities for sports ministry. TEAM connected her with a missions coach, Tasha Eckenhoff, who worked with her to find a role that would be a good fit. One option…

Innov-Asia is a chance to dive into ministry among unreached people groups throughout Asia.

Jan 11 2021

One quarter of the world’s people are outside the normal reach of the Church. If you want to engage these unreached people groups, how do you do it? Innov-Asia is a short-term mission trip designed to help aspiring missionaries see that life and service at the ends of the earth is doable. It requires creativity, innovation and a willingness to live outside your comfort zone. Serving Unreached People Groups through Innovation Some workers live in unusual places, while others start new businesses. Some use arts and music, while others work on translation projects. Jackson and Diane chose to open a…

Teens stand in a circle around a horse at Rancho el Camino, where many short-term missionaries serve

There are more opportunities than ever before to serve in short-term missions. But before you go, you need to know the purpose.

Nov 08 2020

Short-term mission trips are often misunderstood to be humanitarian vacations. You get to go somewhere exotic, feel good helping people and come home with some good stories. The focus is all very … well, short-term. But the point of short-term mission trips is to create long-term outcomes. They should shape how the short-termer understands God’s mission and their place in it. They should provide personal growth. They should provide aid to long-term workers. And they should help make a lasting impact on the community visited. Let’s dive into each of these advantages to short-term mission trips done well: 1. Short-Term…

Can You Manage Student Loans on Missionary Support?

Sep 23 2020

Let’s start with the good news: The world is full of missionaries who are happily serving in ministry while paying off their student debt. They aren’t all stellar financial planners, and they aren’t living in poverty to make it happen. In other words, you can be one of them. The tips I’m about to give you are simple and practical. I’m not going to tell you what to do, because every situation is different, and I am not a financial advisor. But I will share what’s worked for missionaries before you and share resources created for nonprofit workers. I’ll also…

Missions is a complex topic, but the most important thing is actually quite simple. And getting this right will impact everything we do on the field.

Sep 04 2020

With each generation, the Church learns (and forgets) vital factors of success in missions. We want to lead ministries that are authentic, culturally sensitive, holistic in care, empowering to local believers, effective in planting churches — the list goes on and on. All of these are important things, worthy of deep, rich discussion. But what is the most important thing in Christian mission work? The answer is simple: Jesus. As cliché as it sounds, Jesus really is the most important part of mission work. He’s at the center of it all, He’s the reason for it all, and He’s the…

Tag - missionary calling

Early African American Missionaries Who Changed the World for Christ

The Church Planting Program That Became a Filipino Movement

5 Things to Expect Your First Year as a Missionary

How Long Should I Be a Missionary?

International Churches: A Gateway to the Unreached

Missionary Challenges: From Ready to Quit, to No Regrets

Innov-Asia: A Short-Term Mission to the Ends of the Earth

Ask TEAM: What’s the Point of Short-Term Mission Trips?

How to Be a Missionary with Student Debt

Ask TEAM: What is the Most Important Thing in Christian Mission Work?