October 2014   
                                                                            
Same Gospel--Different Delivery
 

Today's gospel messenger...

 

In 1984 I, Mark Hedinger, was a young married man and a fairly new Christian. I was helping to establish a church for the deaf along the Mexico-Texas border. From the perspective of 30 years, what does cross cultural gospel ministry look like now?

 

It used to be all about pith helmets and snake bite kits. We were trained to live in rural and jungle areas; Today's gospel workers more often work in the high-rise apartments of world class urban centers.

 

It used to be all about getting a visa as a recognized full-time "religious worker;" Today's gospel workers more often work as professionals in the marketplace. They tell the Good News and make disciples as part of their job in sales, medical, business, or community development careers.

 

It used to be all about figuring out the culture and language through the course of many, many years; Today's gospel workers are part of a globalized world where "the language and culture industry" is a recognized part of life.

 

It used to be that ministry overseas always meant travel; Today's gospel messengers can use technology to make and sustain long term, meaningful relationships even from a distance.

 

It used to be that North Americans and Western Europeans were the "goers" and other nations were the "receivers;" Today's gospel messengers are more likely citizens of Asia, Africa, or Latin America than they are from the US, Canada, or Europe.

 

Over the coming months, WorldView's publications are going to consider these changing trends in global gospel outreach. Adjusting our methods to fit these trends is part of the challenge of our day, and we look forward to sharing the challenges and opportunities as we prepare God's evangelists to make disciples in an unfamiliar language and culture. 

It Takes A Techie


 Indispensable support...

 

Jamie and Roberto frequently pray and work together with us to train Spanish speaking gospel messengers for service outside of Latin America. We spend a lot of time together, but we never give the traditional Latin American hug.

 

We can't.

 

You see, Roberto lives in South America and Jamie serves in Central Europe. Our teaching, praying and fellowship take place by internet. Click here and you can see short video that shows the impact of ministry by technology.

 

You are reading this note by email, not on paper. Techno-ministry is a reality in just about every part of the world.

 

The purpose of WorldView is to teach Jesus' messengers to be effective in cultures and languages different from their own. In the past we did that through books and classrooms. Now we use video links and web-based teaching platforms. The purpose has not changed, but today's tools of the trade take us deep into the world of technology. Through internet connections, we can effectively teach across the nations. Through technology we can co-labor with good friends like Jamie and Roberto.

 

As WorldView training grows in its impact, we also continue to grow into new technology. Using technology for ministry is effective, but it takes special skills. WorldView is blessed to have Michael Johnstone on staff. Michael directs the technology side of WorldView's ministries. His experience with computers and network administration mesh together with his passion to see the Gospel extend to every language and nation. Through his efforts, WorldView stays on the cutting edge of the best uses of technology to teach cross cultural gospel messengers. This also includes everything from helping us pay our bills on-line to helping us prepare Asian, Latin American and African missionaries for Great Commission ministry.

 

Pray, and/or financially support Micheal and his work.

God Answers

 

The Lord is near to all who call on him,...       Psalm 145:18

 

Prayer: We wanted more agencies to partner with in order to have a greater impact on missionary training. 
Answer: Two major mission agencies recently visited WorldView. With one agency we were able to have extensive conversations about providing language and culture training for their people entering the mission field. In the other, we were invited to train their trainers and consult with their leaders. Additionally, one church has begun conversations with WV to provide language assessment and training for the workers they are sending out.

 

Prayer:  We have been praying for people to sign up for our new pre-field language acquisition course.

Answer:  We had our first couple express interest in taking the course.

 

Prayer:  We asked trained professionals who can assist/coach missionaries who have language learning difficulties. 

Answer:  Carol Lewis, our second language acquisition specialist, has had fruitful conversations with two people who are interested in becoming adjunct staff and who are open to discussing the possibility of providing pro bono hours to workers who need extra help.

 

Prayer:  Carol has been praying for help in finding materials/resources that would help her better coach missionary language learners who struggle.

Answer:  She found several books and other materials that met her need.

 

Prayer:  We prayed for our partner organizations, that they could/would identify people within their ministries whom Carol could train to be language coaches.

Answer:  One of those ministries has now submitted a name for a possible coach-trainee, perhaps beginning as soon as this fall.

 

Prayer:  That WV might launch additional sites for WV language training in the US.

Answer:  A church in Seattle, WA has recently shown interest. WV is having conversations with this church regarding a class at their location, likely early next year.

Coming Events:

 

 

October 2
7:00 - 9:00 PM  
Global Voices at Western Seminary 

Nataniel Waziri, a WorldView resident who is studying at Western, will speak about the response the Churches in Northern Nigeria have to the growing violence from Islamic terrorists.  

 

October 14
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Second Tuesday Mission Lunch
Come hear what WorldView with your support has done this summer. Please email the office to let us know you are coming.

Photos

The black and white photo in the first article was taken in the 1970's. Dr Smith is in the back row in a suit and tie. (about 1 o'clock) 

The color photo of Mark was taken last year in a classroom at the WorldView Center.


Prayer & Praise


--Praises for all the new connections and partnership started this September and for new opportunities to train and to do more language assessments.

 

--for seminars and training in Portland and around the world.

 

--for Michael as he continues the technical ministry and his ongoing funding needs.

 

--for wisdom, energy and patience as we move forward with the sale of the building and plan for the future. 

 

 

Please join us in these prayers! 

 

Did You Know?

 
Cell phones in Africa are more common than you may think. In Senegal alone there are more than 10.6 million mobile phones.

Worldwide mobile usage is on the rise. In nations around the world basic needs may not be available but they have Facebook.


 

 
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Portland, Oregon 97215 
USA
503 235 3818