Association Missionary

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Reaching the world for Jesus Christ by linking hearts and hands

A View from the Center

I found a wonderful article from the NAMB that will greatly help in preparing for a mission trip. I would encourage you to read, plan, and pray about your next mission project. Also let us know if you are looking for others to make up a team. We will be listing mission projects in the Forerunner in the future to assist our churches in partnering together for missions. This can only be effective if you let us know. May God bless us as we strive to fulfill the Act 1:8 challenge to reach, our Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

THE TOP TEN ITEMS IN PLANNING YOUR MISSION TRIP

1. Pray - involve the whole church in the process through prayer from the dream stage to the celebration.

2. Discover - What are your skills? Where do you feel God is leading you to go? What is your interest? What is the size of your volunteer missions group? Read through the project requests, which are attached, and select one or more that fit what you feel God is calling you to do. If you do not find the area and or project you are looking for, call ARM at 606-316-4298 or email ARM at bbarker@arministry.org.

3. Read - Take time to read the Pre-Project and Mission Trip Planning Guide.

4. Contact - One you have selected one or more projects, call the contact person listed, and ask them about the project. Be sure and ask if the project has already been filled. Also, ask them the questions that are essential for your mission volunteer group. Talk about the dates you have chosen to make sure that it is acceptable for all parties concerned.

5. Visit - Successful mission trips include a pre-site visit to review the site, to secure the housing arrangements, to discuss with the contact person the project, and to pray. This is an excellent time to do a prayer walk or a prayer drive.

6. Goals - what would you like to see accomplished through and on this mission trip. Write it down and share it with your prayer partners. Ask yourself this question, 'What do we feel God wants to accomplish through us on this mission trip?"

7. Planning - Using the Pre-Project Planning Guide, will help make your mission trip a positive experience. Be sure and involve the church or ministry you will be serving in your planning. For example, if you are going to a small church in Appalachia to do a Block Party, involve their youth and adults in the activities you have planned. Let them work alongside your missions team. Be sure and ask what Bible Translation is acceptable for you to use in the area you are planning to take your mission trip.

8. Missions - Enjoy your volunteer mission trip. Let this be the mission trip where God uses you in a marvelous way to see many come to faith in Jesus Christ.

9. Report - Take a few moments, email ARM at bbarker@arministry.org, and tell us about your trip. Be sure and tell us how many youth and adults participated in the trip, where you went, what you did, and how many decisions were made. Also, please tell us how we can improve and help make your mission trip next year another exciting adventure for Christ.

10. Celebrate - Work with your pastor and plan a time to share with your church about your mission trip.

START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN

May God empower us as we answer the call and as we serve His Kingdom together.

Chuck