Simple Steps for Eternal Consequences
This is a list of 12 things anybody can do to get started on building their heart for the world’s people. I have used this list at various speaking engagements when people say, “I am not ready to actually go, what can I do to get started?”
- Ted
1. Personally “adopt” a country or people group
• Be an expert on one country or people group
• Prepare a one-page overview of this country for others to pray through
• Discover mission agencies, if any, that are working there – pray for them
• Share your burden for this country or people group with others
2. Read books about missionaries and missionary efforts
• “Peace Child” by Don Richardson
• “Lords of the Earth” by Don Richardson
• “Shadow of the Almighty” by Jim Elliot
• “Bruchko” by Bruce Olsen
3. Befriend Internationals
• If you are a student, meet them on campus
• Invite an international to Christmas,
• Thanksgiving, or some other holiday
• Help settle an immigrant to Canada
• Invite a foreign student to live with you
4. Become active in your church’s missionary programs
• Learn the names of your church’s missionaries
• Host a missionary family who is visiting (for dinner or longer!)
• Request newsletter from your church’s missionaries – pray!
• Join the missions committee
5. Keep the world in front of you day to day
• Put a world map up at your workplace
• Tape another one to your bathroom mirror
• Tape a small map into your Bible
• Put a small globe on your desk at work. Be creative!
6. Study the world
• Study the Bible looking for God’s heart for the world’s people Genesis 12:1-3
• Can you name the countries of the world? How about their capitols?
• What is the country known for?
• What is the spiritual condition of each country?
7. Become a consumer of World News
• Read it on the internet
• Watch it on TV
• Listen to it on the radio
• Decipher the “story behind the story” for the Kingdom of God –
• Start a prayer list from headlines
8. Systematically pray for the world
• Get Operation World and pray for one country a day
• Get on one email list which highlights global prayer needs
• • Find someone who will hold you accountable
• Cover the world in prayer—Block out a country with a highlighter each time you pray for it
9. Personally adopt a missionary
• Learn all you can about their country and people group
• Write them regularly – even if they don’t respond
• Remember their birthdays and anniversaries, send a care package
• Pray for them daily
10. Give
• Give regularly
• Give sacrificially
• Give with a plan
• Give strategically
11. Go short term
• Don’t make excuses—make plans: virtually everybody can go at least once in their lifetime
• Don’t go where there are many Christians: go to the unreached
• Don’t go alone: visit a team who can follow-up on your efforts
• Don’t go as a tourist: go as a learner—adapt to their culture
12. Go long term
• Make yourself available for God to open or close the door
• Take the course “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”
• Contact missions agencies and ask about opportunities
• Tell your pastor about your desire
These are excellent points. Thank you for sharing them with us. While I have probably suggested most of these items to people, I certainly have not seen them in such a good list.
Ted, just wanted to let you know I included a link to your list in my May 27 blog posting. I had noticed all the biographies you recommended were by and about men (albeit men who are married to remarkable women). I think it’s probably usually the case that women are more likely to identify with a story about a man than men would identify with a story about a woman, but there ought to be some books by women with high crossover appeal. I’m still trying to think what I would add. Will let you know if my readers have some good suggestions.
Yes – yes!! You are so right. I would like to come up with all new books. I don’t think any of these are probably on my current “hot list” of titles. Why? They are all the previous generation’s stories. I am going to put together a list of new titles – what would you recommend?
Ah… there’s a challenge! I’ll give it some thought.