Tag - Teaching and Education

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Why Missionary Kids Need Missionaries, Too
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7 Ways to Pray for Teaching and Education Ministries [September Prayer Focus]
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Building a Kingdom of Diversity
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Why Would You Read in Your Own Language?
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5 Things I Learned From Teaching English Overseas
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Why I Took a Gap Year to Teach in Taiwan
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What it Looks Like to Teach in Thailand [Photo Journal]
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Looking for Missionaries Who Can Teach
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When You Don’t Want to Get on the Plane
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How to Teach English Overseas and Be a Missionary Too

Why Missionary Kids Need Missionaries, Too

discipling missionary kids
Even though missionary kids grow up in a Christian atmosphere, it's not uncommon for them to struggle with their faith. See how one TEAM missionary couple is reaching these students in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of Laura O'Day

When it comes to reaching the lost, few people think of missionary kids. After all, their parents are the ultimate Christians, right? But according to TEAM missionaries Seth and Laura O’Day, the MK status as super Christian offspring can be exactly what hinders them from becoming devout believers themselves. “They’ve gotten used to burying things … because it looks bad for their family if they’re obviously having a problem with something,” says Seth. And what could look worse than an MK having doubts about God? When MKs struggle with their faith, many would rather pretend than reach out for help….

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7 Ways to Pray for Teaching and Education Ministries [September Prayer Focus]

teaching and education ministries
Education has the power to break poverty cycles and point people to Jesus. And thanks to your support, there are more opportunities for education all around the world. Photo by TEAM

Education is one of the most powerful tools you can offer another person. Not only does it prepare someone to live a more fulfilling life, rise above poverty and avoid exploitation, but also, education empowers people to live up to their highest potential as followers of Christ. This September, will you pray with us for teaching and education ministries around the world? Click here to get a printable version of these requests, and sign up here to get the new prayer focus in your inbox each month. 1. Pray for increased faith in students’ hearts. Hai* enrolled at a TEAM-affiliated…

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Building a Kingdom of Diversity

African-American missionaries
From their 20-plus years of missionary work in Africa to their continued service in the States, David and Marjory Patrick have been trailblazers for promoting diversity in missions. | Photo courtesy of David Patrick

As she listened to African-American missionaries from her home church tell their stories in front of the congregation, 14-year-old Marjory heard a voice — small at first, but distinct. She was completely enthralled with these brave men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of the Gospel. Could she ever be like them? Then, she heard the voice again. Louder this time, and clearer: “You are looking at your future.” Several years later, a visiting pastor offered David Patrick a pamphlet called “Hearing the Call of God.” David flipped through it as the author, David…

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Why Would You Read in Your Own Language?

Students in a region of Chad are coming alive as they read their language for the first time. But in order to sustain a literacy movement they need books.

Why would you learn to read in your own language when you could learn French or Arabic instead? For generations in Chad, the answer has been that you wouldn’t. Schools push their students toward success by teaching all classes in Arabic or French. Local languages are used for conversations in the village. But when a neighbor girl asked Rivers Camp for help with her homework, the TEAM missionary quickly saw that the plan for success was failing. When Rivers asked the girl to read a French sentence she’d written in her notebook, “she read beautifully,” Rivers says. “The problem was,…

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5 Things I Learned From Teaching English Overseas

teach english overseas
After a summer teaching English in Spain, a short-term worker shares her best advice for anyone considering teaching overseas. Photo by TEAM

Last summer, I served as a short-term missionary in Utrera, Spain, for six weeks. During this time, I lived with a missionary, taught English and participated in a local Spanish church. God taught me many things during my time teaching in Spain. Here are five key lessons I would pass on to someone else considering teaching overseas for a short period of time. 1.  Seize the Opportunity to Share Christ Teaching English might not be the first thing you think of when you consider ministry opportunities overseas, but teaching English can help you build those relationships with locals, giving you a chance to share…

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Why I Took a Gap Year to Teach in Taiwan

gap year to teach in taiwan
After college, I took a gap year to explore God's path for me, and I ended up teaching in Taiwan. Photos courtesy of Victor Hsiao.

Between college graduation and starting medical school, I took a gap year as a missionary in Taiwan. In high school, I developed a passion for missions and considered pursuing ministry full time instead of going to college. I was wisely advised, however, to attend college to better equip myself for whatever God had in store for me, long-term missions or not. During college, I was challenged to share and live out my faith in new environments where there were few Christians, such as the school swim team or my summer research internship in China. As graduation approached, I still loved…

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What it Looks Like to Teach in Thailand [Photo Journal]

Dorothy Yeung lives in Thailand to share the love of Christ in the classroom. Take a peek into her life overseas below. Photos courtesy of Dorothy Yeung

Situated on the outskirts of the city, Bangkok Christian International School operates in stark contrast to the famous Buddhist temples that attract tourists and the local faithful alike. At this growing school, students from around the world converge to receive a Christian education taught by a devoted staff. Dorothy Yeung teaches over 100 students about music and how to worship God through it at BCIS. Scroll through her photo journal below to see what it looks like to serve and teach in Thailand. Meet Dorothy Sawatdee-ka! I’m Dorothy from Toronto, Canada, currently serving as an elementary music teacher at Bangkok…

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Looking for Missionaries Who Can Teach

Around the world, teachers are making disciples by sharing the love of Christ in the classroom. Photo by TEAM

‘Remember your promise’ When Tim and his wife moved to Asia, they had a plan. They would serve as Christian educators for a few years in Hong Kong, then move to teach in another more spiritually deprived country. But soon, two years in Hong Kong turned into 11, and Tim and his family never made the move. In 2009, Tim found himself saying goodbye to a dear friend and mentor who served faithfully as a missionary to those with little spiritual witness in East Asia. Before Dave passed away, he charged Tim one last time. “God has called you to…

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When You Don’t Want to Get on the Plane

teach missionary kids
Anna Key never thought she would be a teacher in Germany. But God called her to serve missionary kids, and she is committed to obey – no matter the cost. Photo by TEAM

Six years ago in Albany, New York, I weighed my three suitcases for what seemed the millionth time, anxiously watched the scale hit almost exactly 50 pounds for each one, shed tears as I hugged my family goodbye and sat at my gate, waiting to begin my journey to teach in Germany. I was no stranger to goodbyes, moving, transition or travel, and yet, that day, you may never have seen a more reluctant or terrified traveler. Although I knew God had called me to serve missionary kids, teaching had never been part of my plan. What was I thinking?…

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How to Teach English Overseas and Be a Missionary Too

teach english overseas TEAM
Teaching overseas is opening up new doors to share the Gospel in countries around the world. Photo by TEAM

We all have gifts that God has given us to effectively share the Gospel. Have you ever considered that your fluency in English is one of them? Today, more and more people are getting certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and using it overseas to meet practical needs and make disciples. Kristin Dykstra, a TEAM missions coach serving in Illinois, majored in TESOL at Moody Bible Institute and now equips others to use English education in global missions. Her love for TESOL first grew while participating in a student exchange program in Russia, teaching English to non-native…

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