940. Disconnected

I don't fit into missions because:

I don’t live near a mission office, and I’m not ready to travel.

Not Ready to Travel.

There are many people in this situation who may feel disconnected from missions. But you can be on a prayer team. 

Don’t think, “If I can’t do anything else, I can pray.” No. Prayer is a vital part of missions and many mission organizations and missionaries would love to have you as a prayer partner. 

If you’re computer literate, you may be able to use your computer at home to analyze data, research languages, edit or proofread. You don’t need to be in the same office to help missions work. I live in California and have an assistant who works in Texas.

930. Not Computer literate

I can't fit into missions because:

I’m not computer literate.

Not Computer Literate.

It’s true computers are used more and more in the office environment. But many jobs require the human touch. 

One is the office receptionist. I know a place where the receptionist makes you feel like the most important person to come in all day. A computer couldn’t do that. In many mission offices, people are diverted from other jobs to pinch-hit as receptionists, and it’s not the same. 

Likewise, a computer can’t do the job of a janitor or someone who can tidy up and make the office a pleasant place in which to work. Overseas, mission guesthouses cannot be run by computers. There are many jobs that can be done to set missionaries free to do what they are supposed to do.

920. Computer Programmer

I won't fit into missions, because:

I’m a computer programmer, not an evangelist.

Not everybody is an evangelist. But in this day and age, computers are used more and more. Not only to sustain the work of mission organizations, but also in direct evangelism. (See Session 5. Why don’t missionaries use the latest technology to communicate the gospel?) 

For instance, GRN has servers on line twenty-four-seven so people all over the world can listen to gospel message in their own language. They need technicians who can make sure those servers do not go down. They constantly develop new software and need programmers.

950. Limited time to travel

I don't fit into missions because:

I’d like to travel, but I only have two or three days.

No problem. www.shorttermmissions.com/ can find opportunities from 99 different organizations that fit your needs. Their web site claims that they have full details on 1,722 short-term mission trips.

Click here for more information.

910. I work with finances

I won't fit into missions, because:

I’m not a good speaker. 
I’ve always worked with finances.

I Work with Finances.

Mission offices need bookkeepers or accountants, either full-time or part-time. As you perform these services, you become a part of the mission’s team. Without them, the rest cannot happen. Missions need accountants and bookkeepers to keep track of where the money came from and where it went. They also have to give reports to the government and demonstrate financial integrity to the public.

952. Not much good

I won't fit into missions, because:

I'm Not Much Good at Anything

Not Much Good.

Perhaps you’re asking, “What’s the point of being willing to learn, if I can’t do anything?” Think about this. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. Aren’t you glad that your eye specialist didn’t quit medical school because he couldn’t do open-heart surgery? What would happen if your plumber threw up his hands because he couldn’t fix your roof? It’s the same with missions. You may not be equipped to go pioneering through the Amazon Jungle. That doesn’t mean you can’t encourage a missionary who can and does.

God has given you a special function

In Romans 12: 4-8, Paul compares the church to the human body that has many parts. He lists various functions like serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing kindness. These abilities are gifts from God.

Your spiritual gift may not be obvious right away. Notice the first investment only asks you to state that you are willing to learn about missions. The rest will come later.

Don’t confuse making a commitment with starting

When President Kennedy announced the commitment to land a man on the moon, it was several years before NASA launched the first rocket. They spent the intervening time researching and experimenting – in other words, learning. Don’t worry. Missions is not rocket science.

Use your hobby or vocation on the mission field

A young couple shares a story about how even the most obscure interests or hobbies can become a tool on the mission field.

watch this video »