Finding Community, Making Real Connections

Nathan Vitatoe, Advance Volunteer
The Call, October-December 2016

I walked through the door, and I was immediately met with the delicious aroma of good food lingering in the air. Bright tables and chairs were coupled with the familiar sound of rapid conversations in Spanish. I had stopped by a local Mexican restaurant to see if they would be interested in having me volunteer once a week to teach an English as a Second Language class before they opened for the day. 

When my family and I first stepped back onto U.S. soil after serving North African immigrants in Spain for two years, I wasn’t sure how God was going to use us for cross-cultural ministry. However, we felt His presence and a peace about the decision to return and focus on bi-vocational ministry in WGM’s Advance Volunteer Network. The Lord has continued to expand our heart for the pilgrims of the world, this time in our own backyard of southern Ohio. There is a benefit to ministering to Spanish speakers in their own language, but many opportunities exist in communities all across our country in English. Your church might already have an outreach to immigrants that you could join. 

One of the main lessons that the Lord has taught me through working with immigrants in Europe and the U.S. is that in order to build a relationship where we can share the hope we have in Jesus, the connections that we make have to be genuine. This valuable principle of authenticity in ministry has stuck with my wife, Kenzie, and me as we approach every new ministry opportunity. Even as we began to plan for our vision trip to Spain, we utilized as a team the booklet Before You Pack Your Bag, Prepare Your Heart by Cindy Judge, which was very helpful to us.  

As travelers of the gospel, we demonstrate our love for Spanish-speaking immigrants through genuine friendship and an interest in helping prepare them for day-to-day life. Our Hispanic friends can feel isolated, both linguistically and culturally. The friendships that we have developed have opened doors to share the most important aspect of our lives, our faith and hope in Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Community isn’t something we necessarily create; it’s something that we find as we naturally connect with others. We just need to take the step—without expecting anything in return—when the Holy Spirit urges us to share the love of Christ.

ACT: Talk to your church missions department or pastoral staff about ways you can champion outreach to the pilgrims in your area or join an established ministry. It will be a personally stretching but rewarding experience.

Outsiders on the Inside: Reaching the Chinese in the United States

Rachel Elwood, support staff, with Mark and Kim, Advance Volunteers
The Call, July-September 2016

“God is doing something big with Chinese people.”

Six years ago, Mark and Kim (last name withheld for security purposes) began attending a Chinese church. But that was just one step in their journey to reaching out to Chinese immigrants and students.

Mark and Kim served at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya with WGM from 2000 to 2007. Prior to that, they had gone on several international medical short-term trips and helped revitalize an inner-city church. When God led them to return to the United States in 2007, they were uncertain what the next step would be. They attended a CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Associations) conference and were told by an acquaintance, “You need to work with the Chinese.”

Two years of exploring, or “floundering,” according to Mark, followed. They began attending the Chinese church, and, step by step, became involved in various ways. They have worked with the youth group, taught parenting classes, and led outreach to university students. Mark is a deacon, and Kim is on the missions committee. Doors have also opened up that have taken them to China to work with medical outreach. 

Still, it took time—almost a year—to build relationships and gain a better understanding of the community. “Because of our experience as cross-cultural workers, we were comfortable being outsiders,” Kim said. “We were prepared to listen, to learn, and to be in it for the long haul.” That willingness to stick with it earned them the respect of the community, which was further deepened when they went to China for the first time. 

Mark and Kim have learned many things during their years of involvement in the Chinese community. Here are a few of their takeaways that might be helpful to you as you reach out to internationals in your town. 

1. Look around you. Who is lonely? Who is international? Look for opportunities to reach out to immigrants. Be aware of special holidays. Chinese New Year is a big deal for those Mark and Kim work with, but consider Eid or Cinco de Mayo. Invite people to your house or invite them to share their ethnic foods. “Most university students who come here to study will never set foot into an American home. Look for ways to reach out!” suggested Kim.
2. Don’t worry about being an expert in the culture or about not having all the answers to every spiritual question. “It’s freeing to realize we don’t have all the answers,” Mark said. “But the Bible does have the answers we seek. We can study together to find them.”
3. When joining a more established church or ministry, be willing to be a part of what is going on, not trying to change them to be like “us.” Kim shared that when she joined her church’s missions committee, she waited a full year before suggesting any changes. 
4. Welcome newcomers to this country by offering practical help. “Regardless of culture, most people appreciate a genuine outreach of friendship,” said Mark. 
5. Listen. “Everyone has a story, and theirs might be more interesting than yours,” emphasized Kim.  

Most importantly, realize that God is sovereign and will guide your steps. Mark shared that if they had gotten involved with the Chinese church earlier, during their two years of searching, it might not have worked well because of other circumstances at the church. “Sometimes God makes you flounder,” Mark said. “But it’s always for a reason.”

Mark and Kim look forward to what God has in store for their future outreach to Chinese people, both in the United States and in China. 

ACT: Missions is a verb. Put love into action this month by choosing at least one of the takeaways Mark and Kim offer here. Challenge yourself to reach outside your comfort zone. Choose one of the actions from the list that isn’t easy or comfortable for you and reflect on what God teaches you through that experience. 

PRAY: Pray for Mark and Kim in their ministry to Chinese people in the United States.

Discover Missions

An excerpt from Discover Missions

October - December 2012

Here are some of the ways you can be involved with World Gospel Mission. Choose the option that best fits your current status.

STAY

• I would like to represent WGM in my hometown for six months to a year. If you have a passion for making a difference in your local community, become involved in the Advance Volunteer Network. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visit www.wgm.org/avn.
• I am a college student wanting to gain professional experience. Do you need an internship for college credit? Use your skills for missions. WGM offers internships in graphic design, writing, marketing, and Web design. Contact Kristi Crisp at globallink@wgm.org or visitwww.wgm.org/internships.
• I am willing to donate only $30 a year to help WGM missionaries in their times of need. The Minutemen/Minutewomen program is for you! You will receive a maximum of three appeals each year, highlighting urgent needs from WGM fields of service. We ask that you send in a minimum of $10 for each appeal. To join, contact Bill Bucher at 765.671.7217 or visit www.wgm.org/mwv.

GO

• I am an adult willing to serve three years or more. Through the Missionary Discipleship Program, called individuals become full-time missionaries with WGM. The program consists of one year of fundraising, training, and orientation and two years of field service. Contact Jared Gleason at 765.671.7226 or visit www.gowgm.org/md.
• We are a family committed to serving for a week. WGM teams are custom-fit to you and your group. Family teams are designed specifically for parents and children to travel together and experience missions as a unit. Several families can even join forces to form a team, allowing all ages to experience the joy of serving God on the mission field. Contact Noritta Carter at 765.671.7204 or visit www.gowgm.org/teams.
• I am 29 years old or younger and willing to serve at least six weeks. As a Volunteer In Action participant, you can serve in almost any type of ministry. You can also earn internship credit through your VIA experience. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visitwww.gowgm.org/via.
• I am over 30 and prepared to serve four weeks or more. The Missionary Volunteer Partner program is designed to give you a taste of missionary life. You’ll work side-by-side with missionaries and nationals, getting involved with established ministries and discovering new ones. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visit www.gowgm.org/mvp.

Gifts Bigger Than the Super Bowl

An excerpt from Gifts Bigger Than the Super Bowl
By Todd Eckhardt, Support Staff
November/December 2010

But do not think you have to leave the country to impact missions as a volunteer. WGM wants to be sure that you can find a role in the Great Commission to offer your skills and service. One of our volunteers regularly hosts missionaries in their home. What a great service they offer. Another regularly works to be sure missionaries are part of their church’s outreach plan. Without volunteers such as these, WGM could never be the extension of the local church that God has asked us to be.

To be sure we maximize the gifts of our volunteers, WGM has designed programs to fit the needs of the volunteers. For believers who have a burden to see their churches or communities go far in the Great Commission, WGM has a program to assist. We have tools to help others go deeper with their role in missions. This program is the Advance Volunteer Network. For the ones the Holy Spirit has touched to go to a country or field of service and offer their God-given talents, the Missionary Volunteer Partners program is designed with their burden in mind.

The great thing about volunteering short term in missions is that the impact lasts a lot longer than if you volunteer at this year’s Super Bowl.

MORE: To learn more about the Advance Volunteer Network, visit www.wgm.org/avn.

Missions in your Sixties

An excerpt from Missions in Your Sixties
Serving Is a Gift at Any Age
By John and Cherryl Mann, Advance Volunteers
November/December 2010

What were we thinking? People in their sixties should be ready for retirement, enjoying their grandchildren, and planning winter trips to warm climates. In God’s beautiful plan, we were able to go on a number of short-term missions trips. We attended a Finishers Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, and learned that many people were opening their hearts to the Lord’s call to short-term missions as an alternative to the typical retirement lifestyle.

We said yes to His call. The Lord led us through the applying, preparing, raising support, renting of our home, and building relationships with our family and friends. He will lead you, too.

The Manns had several excuses they could have given for why now was not the time for them to serve on the mission field. Instead, they said yes to His call. Are you offering excuses? Have you been missions-minded but not actively seeking God’s call in your retirement years? The World Go! Manual can help you get in the Word and spend time with the Lord, seeking your call. To order a copy, call Tara Mast at 765.671.7244.