Outreach Missions
Volunteer outreach missions are a prime method of evangelical Christianity to spread the message of their faith to the world as "ambassadors for Christ", the One who "hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:20a & 18b). There has been a recent resurgence of Christians from varied non-religious professions getting involved in outreach missions work worldwide. They provide a wide variety of opportunities to both men and women, young and old. Major organizations such as the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board are geared to assist churches and individuals to organize these in numerous locations.
Missionary work can be done within one's own country or in international settings. Many locations already have missionary bases previously established. These short-term volunteer outreach missions serve to assist those bases with physical labor while also providing mental and spiritual renewal for those in long-term outreach missions. At times, new venues are opened by unforeseen events, such as the tsunami disaster in December 2004. Most of these are labor intensive, but the teams are prepared to offer spiritual support as well.
These excursions are a wonderful way to motivate church youth groups to learn how to become involved in helping their fellow man. Youth oriented missionary trips generally take place within the home country. Whether within their own community or in a remote state, they are incredibly inspiring for youth with the right leadership.
When involved in this sacrificial type of giving, it is important to be aware of cultural rules that are critical to be followed in order to protect all in many religiously sensitive areas. It is important that the presence does not become a nuisance or accidentally break social and/or religious laws that some countries have strictly established. Such errors could endanger the future of career missionaries or outreach missions in those zones of a sensitive nature. Even e-mail correspondence within those zones must be kept neutral from religious language. The purpose of these are to gain a foothold in such areas, and enable both the embedded long-term mission, and subsequent volunteer outreach missions, to remain within the area to work with those people who would otherwise not be exposed to the Christian faith.
Outreach missions are important for the economic assistance they present to countries and communities, which desperately need such assistance for their physical needs. Indeed, these volunteer trips also provide cultural, social, and ethical knowledge to develop sociological studies that will promote future economic aid. However, most importantly for Christians around the world, these are opportunities for the normal church-goer to fulfill the Great Commission of the New Testament. Matthew 28:19-20 is best known by those who are compelled to serve our Lord. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Missionary work can be done within one's own country or in international settings. Many locations already have missionary bases previously established. These short-term volunteer outreach missions serve to assist those bases with physical labor while also providing mental and spiritual renewal for those in long-term outreach missions. At times, new venues are opened by unforeseen events, such as the tsunami disaster in December 2004. Most of these are labor intensive, but the teams are prepared to offer spiritual support as well.
These excursions are a wonderful way to motivate church youth groups to learn how to become involved in helping their fellow man. Youth oriented missionary trips generally take place within the home country. Whether within their own community or in a remote state, they are incredibly inspiring for youth with the right leadership.
When involved in this sacrificial type of giving, it is important to be aware of cultural rules that are critical to be followed in order to protect all in many religiously sensitive areas. It is important that the presence does not become a nuisance or accidentally break social and/or religious laws that some countries have strictly established. Such errors could endanger the future of career missionaries or outreach missions in those zones of a sensitive nature. Even e-mail correspondence within those zones must be kept neutral from religious language. The purpose of these are to gain a foothold in such areas, and enable both the embedded long-term mission, and subsequent volunteer outreach missions, to remain within the area to work with those people who would otherwise not be exposed to the Christian faith.
Outreach missions are important for the economic assistance they present to countries and communities, which desperately need such assistance for their physical needs. Indeed, these volunteer trips also provide cultural, social, and ethical knowledge to develop sociological studies that will promote future economic aid. However, most importantly for Christians around the world, these are opportunities for the normal church-goer to fulfill the Great Commission of the New Testament. Matthew 28:19-20 is best known by those who are compelled to serve our Lord. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."
Outreach Missions
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