ECFA logo
Connect With Us & Fellow Mission Travelers

One Man's Story Read A Mission Testimony

Featured Agency & Opportunities Inside

Like us on Facebook  Or   Follow us on Twitter

 
 
The Bridge
 Ninety-Fifth Edition - February 2016
 
You Aren't Alone: 
Overcoming the Missions Isolation Factor
 
Does it feel like you're floating adrift right now?

Desert, waiting moments are part of a personal journey with Christ. And when you consider serving in missions, thoughts of isolation can sweep in like an overwhelming tidal wave. 

Sensing God has called you out onto the water, the thought of leaving your home, family and friends - or trying to explain what God has put on your heart - can be daunting. The life-changing step towards service can be a lonely and difficult one.

But when you feel the tides surging, focus on three important things:


-He is enough. Jesus will be your all in all, your strength and Friend, forever. If He is calling you, He will carry you through to the finish.

-As a Christian, you are blessed with the Body of Christ! God's children are there to encourage, counsel and pray for you. Let others know where you are in your journey.

-All your trials and God's work in your story may speak volumes to those around you. The things we go through equip us to minister for others, so share and learn from each other.

So don't walk alone. Seek God and His fellowship. Reach out to the small groups and mission team at your church. Engage on prayer boards where others pray for you while you pray for them. Follow blogs and social media that share encouraging words and resources. Build a community of fellow believers - where you live or online - and edify each other.

God never intended us to be on our own. Reach out and dive in - Him first! The water's fine.

"...that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ" - Colossians 2:2 NKJV

Social Media and Ministry 
There are thousands of people in the same boat as you. And with today's technology, it's easier than ever experience the journey together. Social media allows you to connect or send a message to millions of people around the world. Not only are resources and encouragement at your fingertips, but you have the opportunity to pass it on.

When used mindfully, social media creates a community for the Body of Christ to unite with each other. By joining groups, like our MissionNext accounts, you have access to specialized useful content and you'll be in the company of fellow travelers.

Join our growing community on Twitter and on Facebook for upcoming events, inspiration,  resources , updates and opportunities from our partners in the field.

Check all the Facebook pages in the MissionNext family:

One Man's Story...

Recently, a MissionNext alumnus shared his missions journey with us. So we're passing it on to you:

"Thank you for your great assistance in pointing my life in a new direction. In November I felt God urging me to follow Jesus and no longer just be a fan. I also realized what a toxic environment I was in at my current job. I discussed opportunities with other agencies listed on your site in the Dallas area.  They felt they could put my talents to work at SIL. Instead of just another New Year's resolution I gave notice at my job and moved to Dallas. I am trying hard to turn away from obsessive planning and turning myself over to God's plan for me. His plan is awesome.

"Your January newsletter throws down a great challenge for everyone to take a step now. My suggestion is don't rush to quit your job. Pray and consider major changes carefully and discuss it with your pastor. I suggest you start now by filling out a service profile at MissonNext. Try some volunteer opportunities provided and consider putting your talents to work for the glory of God not just a paycheck. Don't miss your chance to spend time with Jesus."
- George Lameyer

Heartfelt encouragement from George! Share your mission journey with us, so others may be blessed! Fill out our MissionNext Story Form - an easy platform for sharing your story. Go to bit.ly/mnstories.

Click HERE to read George's full story!  


Featured Agency:
JESUS Film Mission Trips
The focus of JESUS Film Mission Trips is taking the gospel where Christ is not known.  Each of our 40 mission trips is tailored to meet the needs of the international in-country partner to help them accomplish their goals.  Using three primary strategies: 1) public film showings 2) DVD and materials distribution and 3) Jesus Film Media App evangelism and training, we adapt the trip for the location and need. 

Half of our trips go into countries where we can work openly, the other half must operate discreetly. Our trips are for adults of all ages, with some trips being family-friendly.  Please view all of our trips and consider going for 1-2 weeks this year.  We also have long-term opportunities both stateside and internationally. We look forward to helping you take your next step in missions!

JESUS Film Mission Trips Opportunities

Silk Road Expedition  April 23-May 7  Jesus Film Media App evangelism.

African Adventure Togo  May 22-June 4  Classic JESUS Film Showings.

London, England and Marseille, France One and two-week options every summer distributing Arabic DVD's and Bibles.
Visit us at jesusfilmmissiontrips.org to learn more, or connect with us via Facebook and Twitter 
MissionNext Events Recap
TJD facebook
Mission ConneXion  
Portland, OR, Jan 1-2
This annual weekend event offers an exhibit hall of hundreds of agencies and scores of mission-minded workshops. MissionNext staff participating in this year's conference were Brad Benson, Tom Adelsman, and Don and Ele Parrott.

Brad was the expert at fielding people's questions as they visited the MissionNext exhibit table, explaining our services in connecting people with agencies and telling them about The Journey Deepens weekend, a follow-up to the Mission ConneXion conference.

Don, Ele and Tom presented a series of workshops in the track entitled Preparing to Serve, to over 150 people. Don led two workshops, covering the steps to move from a present career into a mission role. Ele presented a workshop preparing people prior to moving overseas, offering helpful steps for adapting to a new culture. Tom led a session helping people discover their values, passions and gifting in order to consider possible missions roles.

"I loved the personal comments and advice...it was encouraging and inspiring."

"An excellent resource. I enjoyed the practical examples."

"Really helpful. Lots of good information in a short time."

- Feedback from workshop attendees

Visit the MissionNext Event Page to discover other upcoming events.
Military Roundtable 
Colorado Springs, CO Jan 21
MissionNext participated in the first-ever Military Mobilization Roundtable (MMR), along with nearly 40 representatives of ministries focused on military members and their families. Several military chaplain endorsing officials, church pastors and mission agency representatives also joined to share best practices for recruiting staff.

Two major challenges were discussed: how to get in front of mature military believers and then how to mentor them. The siren call of lucrative positions with defense contractors can easily drown out consideration of full-time mission work. Ministry field staffs are well positioned to help find military believers a place to serve focused on either their military logistics training or leadership experience.

The MMR plans to continue collaborating on best practices to identify ways to both present service opportunities to military and their families as well as discovering ways to encourage them to prayerfully consider mission work.

"The MMR presented a compelling opportunity to collaborate even more closely in the future by sharing best practices for staff recruiting. I am excited about the potential of this initiative!"
- Gary Sanders from the Fellowship of Military Ministries

"[It was a] meaningful event of great fellowship, networking, prayer and valuable discussions."
-Robert Setor of SIMUSA

"The current downsizing of our military after two wars has the potential to generate a huge pool of qualified Kingdom workers, much like the way God is calling and using the Boomer Generation."
-Robert Werntz, MissionNext CEO

 For more information on the event or how you can get involved, email [email protected]
Mobilization Research Webinar  
Missio Nexus, Jan 21
 
Don Parrott

Don Parrott, a mission strategist with MissionNext, and mission mobilizer John McVay recently asked longer-term missionaries what was helpful or a hindrance in their preparation process into missions.

After receiving responses from 466 missionaries around the world, the results were presented in a webinar sponsored by Missio Nexus. A few of the significant findings:

-Missionaries said the number one helpful factor was a clear sense that God was directing them into missions ministry. While not a surprising finding, it is important for mobilizers to pursue this question.

-There was the strong reminder that launching into missions is a marathon. It takes time. Mobilizers need to have this long-term vision for people rather than pushing too fast. We don't always know what other preparation steps God has for them on their journey to a missions role.

-Another helpful factor to missionaries in their preparation process was having a knowledge of and a relationship with a long-term missionary.

Visit Missio Nexus to discover upcoming webinars, or check out past webinars by MissionNext!
Watch for NEXT Month's Newsletter

- Confessions from a Journey Guide -

 

 Connect & share with us! Follow us on  or join our growing Facebook community

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter