Are You Ready?
Turn up your volume and check this out--very powerful!

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Giving Our Children to God

Mission Related Links to Visit:

Nooma #20: Shells, DVD By Zondervan Do you often find yourself saying, "I'm so busy" or "I just have so much to do"? It's easy to get overwhelmed with appointments, gatherings, to-do lists. But what are we really doing with our time? Many of us running from place to place and it seems like life is just passing us by. We're doing so many things, a little bit of everything, and yet it doesn't feel like much of a life. But most of us find it hard to say no. We feel obligated. There are so many good things to do. So many good causes to join. But while we're busy doing all these good things, are we missing out on something great? Maybe saying no would be easier if we knew what it meant to say yes. DVD Features: Running time: Approx. 11 minutes Audio: English (Dolby Digital) Subtitles: English, French, German, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish Region: All Format: Closed-captioned

Page Hughes
If you have never gone on a mission trip one of the first questions you ask is “what shall I pack?” That question is not easily answered and will vary according to the focus of your mission and the climate of the country you will visit. There are a few things you will want to pack no matter where you go.

The first thing you will want to pack is a heart that is open to the Savior’s leading. This is done by beginning spiritual preparation from the time you start entertaining the thought of going on a trip. Ask God to reveal Himself to you and study the Bible by yourself or with friends who will join you on the journey. There are many wonderful Bible studies that will prepare your heart for what you are about to experience. Grab a study and get started.

The second thing I suggest packing is a flexible spirit and great attitude. One of the pitfalls in traveling on a mission is going with your mind set as to what you will do. Sometimes that works out, but many times there are some adjustments to the original plan. If you don’t have a flexible spirit and good attitude, you will be frustrated and pass that on to other team members. If you go into the trip knowing you will need to bend as the situation merits, you will have a much better experience and be able to focus on those you have come to minister to.

The last major thing I would suggest packing is the prayer of many saints. As I have traveled I have found the most successful missions are those supported heavily through prayer. Many believers will never set foot on foreign soil, but they can be a part of a mission trip by praying for those going. Ask six to ten prayer warriors to join you on the trip by praying. Assign them specific things to pray for and specific times. If possible email back each day allowing them to know how the mission is going and send them specific needs for that day. One of the most successful mission trips I have taken had a group of people committed to pray around the clock while we were gone. It took many people being willing to give one hour, but the end result was hundreds coming to know Jesus as Savior.

Wow, we have packed all of these things and have not even gotten out a suitcase yet! The details of what to put in the suitcases will come, as you trust God to reveal to you what to pack.



Diane Hale

Missions--the very word adds excitement and anticipation of new things, uncharted territory, and foreign lands. Those foreign lands are now much closer in our diverse global community. So what is a missionary?

The word missionary is not found in scripture, so let's look at what the dictionary says first. "One who is sent on a mission: especially a person sent to do religious or charitable work in some territory or foreign country." A mission is a task—an assignment carried out under the commission of a higher authority (God). A mission also has a specific goal, or objective.

Two foundational facts of being a missionary are:

1. CHOSEN BY GOD
According to God’s Word a missionary is a chosen instrument. Speaking of Paul God said: “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” [Acts 9:15]

To the disciples Jesus said; “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…” [John 15:16]

A missionary is one who is in Christ, called by Christ and sent by Christ as a servant and witness of the gospel. “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.” [Acts 26:16]

What a missionary does (his / her ministry) depends on the task God has called him/her to do and the needs of those he/she has been sent to help.

2. CONFORMED BY GOD
Being a missionary is not just about what you do or where you go—it’s who you are! In Acts 10 Peter's mission was to answer the prayers of Cornelius by bringing salvation to his entire household. When Peter was chosen to be sent by God he first had to have a change of heart—the messenger had to become the message. "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [Acts 10:15] Being called of God means life [even our thought life] is totally surrendered to Him.

A missionary can be a dentist, doctor, builder, administrator, nurse, schoolteacher, etc. While the skills and abilities of those called to missions may vary, the common denominator is the message—the love of God by the revelation of the cross of Jesus Christ. We must not just preach the gospel we must live the gospel. The gospel must be revealed in who we are as ambassadors of Christ. Using God's gifting, a missionary will function according to those gifts with a servant's heart. To be a minister is to be a servant, the mission stays the same—to minister and witness the good news by attitude and by action wherever God leads, when He leads, for His purpose. To function as a missionary one may also be an evangelist, a pastor, a teacher, an apostle or a prophet—whatever gifts God deems necessary for the assignment. The missionary yields to God’s call and God provides what is needed for the task.

Who are missionaries today? Missionaries are those individuals who have laid down their lives for the gospel. Missionaries are serving in the global village of the 21st century. For some that means around the corner or for others it is around the world. The world has changed since the time of the apostles, but the call and equipping of the missionary remains the same. They are called by God and conformed to His image.

About the Author: Diane Hale is a writer, vocalist, ordained minister and missionary who publishes The Morning Light, a daily devotional that is delivered to your email box and on the web daily. She is also a life coach offering Christian based training and coaching through Unique by Design conferences. For more information on Diane’s ministry visit the website at http://truelightinternational.org/


by Kellie Renfroe

Author Page Hughes shares with Loi Palmer and myself the beauty of entertaining with the purpose of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in this recorded interview.

In her book, Party with a Purpose, Page gives readers 23 themed party plans to evangelize guests in their own homes. From the invitations, menu (with recipes), games, and devotionals, Page has it all compiled. Her experience comes across filled with passion, purpose, and the enthusiasm to encourage others that they too can open their homes in a purposeful way. This is not a book she dreamed up as a "good thing to do." As you'll learn, opening her home and sharing the gospel is a way of life for her family.

The Lord has used Page to write a book that is relevant and needful in our busy society where hospitality and sharing our Christian faith often do not mix. Many of us just don't know how to combine witnessing and entertaining. Page brings excitement and ease to hosting with an eternal purpose.

Page has graciously recorded a mentoring call with us, sharing her testimony and suggestions for party hosting. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from page how to witness in our own homes and be the "light" Jesus called us to be.

Listen to interview with Page Hughes.

Party with a Purpose: Creative Ways to Share the Love of Christ By Page Hughes / New Hope Publishers This book offers something significant that most entertaining guides don't--creative ways to demonstrate the love of Christ as you practice hospitality. This book includes terrific, all-inclusive party ideas--from planning to clean-up. With a focus on the simple and affordable rather than the elaborate and lavish, author Page Hughes walks readers through issuing invitations, theme decorating, enjoyable activities, refreshments, appropriate devotional thoughts to share and easy take-home favors to remember the occasion.