Gauvreau en Haiti

Here are a few missionary tips for today, whether you are American, African or Chinese:

Put the GO to all nations right in the beginning of the gospel message from day one. God’s kingdom is for the whole earth, and the responsibility of each one of us right from the start.

God can work in different places through you. It may be in a new way you don’t expect.

You will go through real culture shock. Get counsel and this phase will pass.

Practice operating in family-style teams, then go in teams. We function best in community.

Know that you can learn a new language. It just takes repetition, and repetition takes time.

Your experiences of spiritual warfare, prayer and worship will change.

Learn how to guard your heart and keep your soul healthy.

“Your” way may not be the only way to live. Decide different is okay.

The entry avenues for the gospel message may be very different (compare Acts 3 with Acts 17). Adapt accordingly.

Develop a support system from the home base to the field, and field-to-field. This includes a resource flow of people, prayer and finances.

Have a good sense of humor – laugh when strange things happen. ☺

Give generously yourself.

A great preparation is to know yourself and your target people group. Can you find some articles that discuss the difference between your culture and the target culture? How about bringing in other missions organizations to help you analyze your personal culture and compare it to the host people that you are looking to reach? Some cultures are very time conscious, others not so much; some spent a lot of money, others save; some are greatly involved with extended family (cousins and aunts), others are very nuclear family focused. Get wisdom.

With jet-planes, smart phones, computers and the internet, in many ways we have it much easier than Paul, Patrick of Ireland, or Hudson Taylor. Yet, we still must depend on the Holy Spirit and believe that the same gospel they preached is still the power of God to save.”

“Copyright” of China Harvest Newsletter, reproduce with their permission.