Blog - Global Missions Toolbox

Our Top 10 Favourite Episodes

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:20:58 GMT

We at the Global Missions Toolbox are so excited to celebrate the release of our 250th podcast episode!

As we reflect on this, we want to say a big thank you to all of our listeners; whether you’ve been here from the start or if you’ve just discovered us, we’re so thankful for you! The reason we can provide resources like this is because of God’s grace and your commitment.

To celebrate this milestone, we’ve put together a list of our top ten favourite podcast episodes for you to enjoy. We hope they will both encourage your heart and further equip you as you continue to explore your involvement in the Great Commission. Happy listening!

10. #040: Well Sent – What is the Church’s Role in Sending Missionaries?

In this episode, we explore Steve Beirn’s book Well Sent and take a look at what church involvement looks like in missions. We discuss the key roles of the churches in being active participants in identifying and preparing potential missionaries in their congregations. You’ll also learn tips on how to better support missionaries overseas as well as the work they are doing.

9. #238: Loving the Pieces of Purple in Our Midst

Michèle Phoenix dives into her own story to share personal experiences and practical insight on the challenges and beauty of growing up as a Missionary’s Kid. In her book Pieces of Purple, Michèle offers guidance for churches and individuals on how to better understand, support, and care for Third Culture Kids with empathy, intentionality, and grace.

8. #099: What is the Great Commission?

Paul Borthwick, the author of Great Commission, Great Compassion, guides the listener into a deeper understanding of the Great Commission and how it can apply to all Christ-followers regardless of their own personal context. In this discussion, Paul shares practical advice and examples on how believers can be participating in the Great Commission in their daily lives.

7. #242: The Case for Co-Vocational Ministry

This episode explores the growing movement of co-vocational ministry, which is a model that intentionally integrates one’s everyday work with missional engagement and can be applied to both local churches and global contexts. Dr. Brad Brisco takes this time to unpack the theology of work, clarify the differences between bi-vocational and co-vocational ministry, and share why this long-term approach can strengthen church planting, missionary sustainability, and missional imagination.

6. #065: Is Every Christian a Missionary?

Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison explore their book When Everything is Missions to help us re-discover what a missionary is. Pointing to Scripture, they challenge Christ-followers to be intentional in developing a biblical understanding of missions as they consider their own role in participating in the Great Commission.

5. #203: How Local Churches Can Care for Missionaries at Every Stage

In this conversation, Ryan Martin shares different components of member care that churches can be involved in. He discusses aspects of what member care can look like during the pre-field, on-field, and post-field stages of a missionary’s life, and this episode will help you spark ideas and take practical steps to care well for those who are sent by your church.

4. #128: 5 Things Everyone Should Understand About Missionaries

Jonathan Trotter, co-author of Serving Well, helps the audience grow in their understanding of what life can be like for missionaries. Gleaning from his own experience as a mission worker and counselor, Jonathan shares five ideas that can help sending churches better empathize with and support their cross-cultural workers as they walk through life alongside them.

3. #179: Sending Churches and Partner Agencies: Finding a Great Match

Ellen Livingood, founder and director of Catalyst Services, shares from her own experiences about what factors should contribute to a church’s decision of which mission agency to partner with. Ellen takes a look into this decision making process and provides several helpful questions that will guide your church as they navigate these important choices.

2. #121: 3 Principles for Growing a Healthy Church

Pastor Bradley Bell of The Upstream Collective highlights some tools that are specifically designed for pastors and church leaders to help them lead their church in missions. Our host, Mags, and Bradley discuss three elements that characterize a healthy sending church along with practical resources that can help busy church leaders be more effective in their missions ministry.

1. #166: What does the Bible Say About Missions?

Author of On Mission Together: Integrating Missions into the Local Church, Richard Noble, shares his insights on the biblical foundations for missions throughout the Old and New Testaments. Through an in-depth exploration into the theology of missions, you will be encouraged and inspired as this episode reflects on God’s promises and commands throughout Scripture.

Once again, thank you so much for your support! We’re committed to providing excellent resources for you and your church, so feel free to check out our other podcasts and blogs. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, we would love to connect with you; feel free to reach out at info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.

Honouring and Supporting Single Mission Workers

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:04:40 GMT

Single mission workers are a key part of God’s Kingdom work. Even though they play such a crucial role in fulfilling the Great Commission, they can often be a demographic that is overlooked. With that in mind, here are some practical things to consider when caring for singles in missions.

Listen to Their Story

Single mission workers will face unique challenges on the field; namely the reality that, depending on their team context, they will likely have to adjust to the field without the benefit of a partner to help them process. For example, a single will probably attend language school alone without someone to come home and practice with or to speak in their native tongue to offer some respite. The transition is a heavy season for anyone to bear and isolation can quickly double that weight.

The most practical advice we can give you in term of caring for your single mission worker is to make yourself available as a listening ear and a safe place to process the field. Like any relationship, it may take time to develop the trust for them to share openly, but this is the most crucial investment you can make in your single mission worker.

As an aside, some mission workers feel a pressure to only report good news back to their supporters because they don’t want to disappoint their support base or compromise their financial support. An easy way to combat this insecurity is to be clear with your mission worker before and on the field that you are partnered not based on performance but as long-term investors in God’s Kingdom work. Reassuring them that they won’t lose your financial support because of their honesty will go a long way in building mutual trust.

Realize That All Singles Are Different

Just as not all marriages look the same, no two individuals will have an identical experience in their singleness. Your mission worker may delight in their gift of singleness and the many opportunities that open as a result. On the flip side, they may struggle with the reality of their singleness and feel quite isolated on the field.

This is why we encourage you to get to know your single mission worker. They may fall anywhere on the spectrum from enjoying to resenting their singleness at any given point. One month or year can look different from the next: in the same way that marriages deepen and grow, a single mission worker's relation to their own singleness changes and matures over time.

Just like we need to realize that all single mission workers have unique experiences and needs associated with their singleness, we also need to recognize that singleness is not static. Rather than assuming what your mission worker told you the last time they were home is still how they are feeling, or, really, making any assumptions at all, allow them to share with you. Listen without recommendations, solutions, or matchmaking. Just be present with them.

See the Importance of the Spiritual Family

The Body of Christ is a vital part of the Christian walk because the church is the spiritual family for not only the single mission worker, but for every believer. Since single workers do not have a family of their own and the support that comes with it, the spiritual family becomes that much more important. There is something much more powerful in the unity found in Christ than even in blood relations.

Along with that, singles need community beyond only singles. While it certainly is special to fellowship with other people who have a similar life experience, the Body of Christ is made up of every generation, nationality, and familial status. Each part of the Body is meant to encourage and build up the others, so don’t hesitate to invite your singles into small groups with young families, older couples, and everyone in between.

Be Aware of Single Workers’ Needs

For any mission worker, home visits include organizing many details, such as arranging travel, lodging, and rental cars just to name a few. Making these arrangements is certainly more complex when accounting for a family unit with multiple adults and children than it is for one person, so we understand the instinct to assist workers in that situation. We also encourage you to let that instinct prompt you to offer the same support to your single mission workers. Yes, there is only one of them to provide for, but there is also no one else to split the decision-making load with.

One advantage to being married is the ability to play off of each others’ strengths in different aspects of life. One person might manage the household while the other takes care of taxes, visas, among other responsibilities. For singles, they don’t have the option to split the load. Not only that, they also need to learn to balance all these details in a language, context, and system that is foreign to them. They might be used to doing all of these things by themselves, but it doesn’t mean that it’s an easy thing to do. You probably can’t help them in the day-to-day while they are in their ministry context, but can help make their visits home as seamless as possible to intentionally refresh them.

There are a number of challenges that single workers face on the mission field. We invite you to consider how you can best offer your support to the single workers in your church.

This article was adapted from the Global Missions Podcast episode 157: Honoring and Supporting Single Missionaries with Barry Danylak. If you’re interested in learning more about ways to care for single workers, we invite you to check out the full conversation. Some other helpful resources on the topic are the books Redeeming Singleness by Barry Danylak or Sacred Siblings by Sue Eenigenburg.

A Holistic Approach: Involving the Whole Church in Missions

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:05:08 GMT

While only a few people might actually go overseas or into a specific ministry, the mission work isn’t only for them; it’s God’s work and He invites all those who follow Him to partake in fulfilling the Great Commission. There are countless ways to incorporate missions into every aspect of the local church, and we’ve listed a few here for you to help you get your creativity flowing! We want to help you discover ways to involve your whole church in God’s Kingdom work.

Empower Each Ministry

The various ministries in your church all play an important role. There are ways to bring a missional focus to every ministry in your church by including a missional aspect. By incorporated a missional heart in your ministries, such as worship or children’s Sunday school, it invites the whole church body to be joined together in God’s Kingdom work. This is an invitation not only to learn more about missions, but to practically apply what they learn in their day-to-day life.

The last thing we want to do is burden an already overworked, overcommitted volunteer with a vague expectation of what this could look like. To avoid overwhelming your staff or volunteer with another obligation, we encourage you to empower your existing missions committee to be the people who drive this in each ministry. This could look like assigning each member of your committee to oversee one or two ministries to work directly with the director on brainstorming different ideas of how to be missionally minded in their specific role.

Church-Wide Events

By hosting events that the church can attend, it shifts the missions focus from being something that is only heard about in the occasional Sunday morning announcement, to a more tangible reality that can be participated in. It goes from being something that someone else does to being something that each individual can also do.

A practical way for your church to accomplish this could be fundraising to send care packages to workers that your church supports; bake sales and bottle drives are easy to organize and can be a great way to involve your children’s ministry. Another suggestion could be to host prayer evenings to raise awareness about workers your local church supports. The benefit of something like this is that it would be more informative for the attendees and would uplift the workers in much needed prayer.

If you have a missions committee, encourage them to find practical ways that your church can support mission workers who are on home assignment. This might look like finding a car for them to borrow so they don’t have to rent one. Another option could be to help them arrange childcare if they need it; you could also offer to buy them groceries or drop off a meal. Even something simple, like buying your worker a gift card for all of the coffee meetings that they will likely have, can be a support to them.

Short-Term Mission Trips

If your church has never done a short-term mission before or it’s been several years since the last one, consider organizing one for the youth or young adults in your church. Trips like these can be eye-opening to the need around the world for the gospel and can deeply impact the lives of those who go in a positive way. In considering a trip like this, give yourself a year to start planning, fundraising, and thinking ahead to host a short-term trip next summer.

For your convenience, we’ve put all of our short-term podcasts into one playlist which can be found on our YouTube page . This is an excellent way to get started and how to do it well. We also have the GoJournal for you, a fantastic guide to walk you through the before, during, and after your trip. It includes helpful checklists to assist in planning, daily devotions while you’re on the field, and a thorough debriefing process for when your team returns home.

Intentional Study Materials

Hosting courses such as Perspectives or Kairos is an excellent way to educate and equip your church body on missions. If you’re looking for something more flexible, another option to look at is God’s Heart for the Nations by Jeff Lewis. This is a self-guided, workbook-style option that gives a full survey of Scripture and traces the theme of God’s heart for the nations from Genesis to Revelation. The benefit of this book is that it is a great beginner’s introduction, it’s biblical, and is exceptionally interactive. Inviting your adult Sunday school class or using your weekly Bible study time to go through this workbook is an excellent way to gain a deeper understanding of missions as a whole. Jeff’s book is available for purchase on the 16:15 website .

Mission Sundays

In a service with a missional focus, some elements to include could be highlighting the work of a specific mission unit and taking time to pray for them. You could also take a special offering and choose worship songs that are intentionally globally minded. Along with these, your pastor could also preach a sermon that ties back to the Great Commission.

As for how regular these services could be, one idea would be to have a Mission Sunday in the months that have five Sundays; doing this would allow for around four Sundays each year to be dedicated to missions. This is only one way that this could be done, so feel free to utilize the rhythms of your own church to find what fits your context the best. We recommend having a Mission Sunday twice a year because we have found it sets a church up well to have a consistent touch point with missions.

These are some of our best recommendations for inviting your whole church body, whether they’re seven or seventy, to participate meaningfully in the Great Commission and care intentionally for your mission workers. You know your church best, and our heart is to empower you to walk with your church meaningfully and challenge them to go deeper. Our team would love to support you in any way we can, so if you have any questions, feel free to reach out at info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.

Advice for Debriefing Short-Term Mission Trips

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:46:00 GMT

Going on a short-term mission trip is a wonderful opportunity for people of any age to see the work that God is doing in the world. While there are countless things to be learned throughout the trip, one crucial aspect that can be easily overlooked is the debriefing process.

Without taking proper time to reflect, it is much too easy to get swept back into the busy routines of everyday life and forget the meaningful lessons that were learned. Whether you’re leading or participating in a short-term mission trip, going through a thorough debrief after your trip is beneficial to ending it well. With that in mind, here are some ways to assist you with your debriefing process.

Start off Prepared

While you won’t technically start the actual debrief until after the mission trip, there are ways that you can be preparing yourself or your team early on to step into that process well. One way to start off well is to encourage and foster a strong sense of trust within your group. By helping your team develop a safe space where they can be comfortable sharing with each other, this will make the discussion time at the end of the trip that much more valuable and encouraging.

Another way to make the debrief time more beneficial could be to prepare your team to pay attention to certain themes throughout the short-term trip. An example of this could be getting your team to observe how they see God working in their lives. By choosing something to observe throughout the trip, it can create discussion points during the debrief time at the end as well as opportunities to be encouraged throughout.

Something else you could consider before your departure is what each person’s expectations are. Recognizing these expectations, identifying whether they are realistic or not, and being aware of how they could potentially impact a trip are all useful things to consider beforehand. Identifying either themes to notice or expectations to be aware of can help each team member as they process their trip and can create valuable discussion time in the debrief as well.

Make Time to Journal Throughout Your Trip

Not everyone enjoys journaling, and that’s okay. Even so, there are quite a few benefits to setting aside time to slow down and recap the events of the day. Not only does this give space to reflect while everything is still fresh in your mind, it also gives you an accurate record to look back on at the end of your trip when you do an in-depth debrief. It is easy to forget little things, so journaling throughout your time away is especially helpful if you will be gone for a longer period of time and you want to remember more specific details

If journaling isn’t really your thing, just remember that it doesn’t have to be pages long. Just a couple of sentences of what your activities were or how things made you feel are more useful than not writing anything at all. Even answering questions like, “what was enjoyable about today?” or “what was hard about today?” can go a long way when you look back over your trip. Plus, keeping a record like this also gives you a way to look back on the memories you made long after you have returned.

Go Through Debriefing Questions

Debriefing questions are probably the most common, but no less exceptional, tool for examining your short-term mission trip. Taking time to answer questions can help you and your team reflect deeper on your experience so that you can take what you learned and apply it to regular life without just moving on from it. As you take time to go through debrief questions, it is crucial to be honest in your answers. There might have been parts of your trip that were particularly challenging, and it is a good thing to acknowledge those things, even if someone else on the team didn’t experience it in the same way. Reflecting on your time away is meant to be a tool for you to look back on the events you experienced and identify what your learned and how to take the important things with you; debrief questions are an excellent way to do this.

Debrief as a Team

Each of your team members are unique and will have had different experiences, challenges, and perspectives regarding the mission trip. Since there is something to be learned from each person in your group, it’s a good idea to spend time as a group sharing about your experiences and things that you have reflected on. As mentioned earlier, it is very important to be fostering trust within the team so that it is a safe space that everyone can feel comfortable sharing in. Debriefing together is an excellent way to gain new perspectives on the trip and is also a way to be encouraged by your team members.

There are so many benefits to going on short-term mission trips, but there are even more benefits that can be gained from them by taking the time to debrief them. If you’re going on a trip in the near future and want to do this well, but aren’t sure where to start, we invite you to check out some of our resources that are available to help you with this process. Feel free to also check out the GoJournal which includes a daily reflection guide for when you’re on the field and a debriefing guide for after your return.

The post Advice for Debriefing Short-Term Mission Trips appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

5 Tips for Sending Care Packages this Christmas

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 22:25:00 GMT

Care packages can be a key way to support overseas mission workers. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those who are a long way from their home and family. Receiving a care package can be a way to both provide for a need they have and encourage them. As the Christmas season approaches, you might consider sending a gift to a mission worker you know or that your church supports. As you do this, we want to share some tips that will help you in caring for mission workers through care packages.

1. Send items that are personal.

A personal item that shows you put effort into making a mission worker feel loved and cared for is always an excellent choice. Something as simple as a handwritten note can be especially meaningful to overseas mission workers because, even if it might seem a bit old school, things that are handwritten show the time and effort it took to encourage the one receiving it. This doesn’t have to be a page-long letter, but even a few personal sentences go a long way; it shows that a real person thought of them and wanted to care for them in some way.

Another idea is to send something the mission worker doesn’t have access to in their host country. This might look like a practical tool that would aid them in their ministry, or this could look like something to remind them of home. One mission worker had this to say when asked about their experience in receiving care packages:

Remember, when it comes to something personal, it doesn’t have to be extravagant to be significant. Even the smallest gesture that shows the care behind it can be deeply meaningful.

2. Send things that are easily transportable and won’t break.

There is definitely a practical side to sending care packages, which is why it is important to avoid sending something that is fairly large or cumbersome to transport. Keep in mind that everything you send to a mission worker will eventually have to be brought back by them, so be cautious of sending a gift that would add a layer of inconvenience to them.

A second thing to avoid would be sending things that are breakable. No matter how nice something is, it won’t be as nice if it arrives at their door in pieces. That being said, sometimes there are items that you just know would be very meaningful and also happens to be breakable. If you are confident that a more delicate item is a good choice, just be sure to take extra care with how you package it so that it can arrive intact and ready for them to enjoy.

3. Contact the agency for assistance with shipping.

Depending on where you are sending a care package, the cost of postage can have a large impact on what you can send. With that in mind, one step you might consider would be to contact the organization your overseas worker is with and see if it is possible for them to send the package on your behalf. They may also be able to offer some guidance on what is best to send or how to send gifts to those serving in closed countries in a sensitive way. It’s important to remember that mission organizations exist not only to support the mission workers within their organization, but also the churches behind them. In exploring this option, please be sure to confirm whether or not this is a viable option for the organization you decide to contact.

4. Get your whole church involved!

It’s important to remember that it’s not just individuals who are supporting these mission workers, your whole church is! It is very meaningful for those overseas to know that the whole church is involved in caring for them, including the children and young people of your church family. So, as you look at supporting your mission workers through sending care packages, consider some ways for your whole church to be involved.

Some examples of what this could look like include getting the kindergarten Sunday school class to decorate postcards to send to them. Another example could be getting the older grades to write Christmas cards or encouraging notes. If you have a youth group, you might put on a bake sale to raise a financial gift for the workers overseas. With this method, please be sure to send the financial gift using methods such as bank draft or go through the agency directly to avoid having mailed cash stolen. Involving all ages of your church also provides an opportunity to teach younger generations the importance of mission work and give them exposure to practical ways they can be involved as well.

5. Not sure what to send? Just ask!

Everyone likes to have their gifts be a surprise (except perhaps your 7-year-old who tries to sneak a peek at the Christmas presents). As much as surprising your mission worker with your gift is nice, it is nicer to give them something that cares for them well. So, if you aren’t sure what would be the most beneficial for them, just ask them! It might seem less meaningful, but it shows your intentionality and that you care about sending them something useful.

Another benefit to asking your mission worker is it can give you a chance to partner or connect with them in unique ways. They might request an item that is not available where they are and would further develop an area of their ministry. Asking also gives you another point of connection with those overseas. Even your email asking what would be helpful can be an opportunity to encourage them and build relationships.

There are so many different ways to encourage and support mission workers, and care packages are an excellent way to do this. We invite you to consider how you can participate in caring for those who are overseas.

The post 5 Tips for Sending Care Packages this Christmas appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

A Guided Reflection on the Ultimate Mission: Easter

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 04:05:00 GMT

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, our team wants to offer a space for you to reflect on Jesus’ ministry as the perfect template for missions. Indeed, He was sent (Jn 20:21), He left (Jn 3:13), He loved (Jn 15:8), He served (Mk 10:45), He sacrificed (Eph 5:2), He commissioned (Mt 28:18-20), and He returned (Lk 24:51).

To begin, join us in pausing to remember Jesus’ ministry. Consider the most impactful stories of His ministry for you personally and thank Jesus for His coming and His work here on earth.

Jesus left heaven and “emptied Himself” (Phil 2:6-8). There is so much He gave up to accomplish His work on the cross that we can’t even comprehend. Have you ever held a baby and marvelled that Jesus was just as small and vulnerable? Have you ever watched a teenager struggle to master their emotions and realised that Jesus endured puberty, just like the rest of us? Have you ever seen someone on their first day of the job and wondered if Jesus ever accidentally hammered His thumb while mastering carpentry?

Reflect on all that Jesus gave up to “make His dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). What has He asked you to give up in service for the Kingdom? Is there anything you’re holding back from Him?

Jesus saw people. All people. The righteous and the sinners, the lovely and the unlovely—and He served them and sacrificed Himself for them all the same. He forgave sins. He reached out to the lepers. He freed the demon-possessed. He restored vision, healed the sick, gave cripples a chance to walk. People wondered why He would let sinners touch Him (Lk 7:39), why He ate with tax collectors (Mk 2:16), or why He would bother Himself with little children (Mt 19:14). Jesus Himself said that He came for sinners — for you and me (Mk 2:17).

Thank Jesus for His gentle heart and His willingness to come for sinners. Who has Jesus placed in your path to challenge you to love like He would? Thank Jesus for His invitation to be His hands and feet. Who has loved you like Jesus? Thank Jesus for tangible, earthly extensions of His love.

In Luke 19:10, Jesus said that He had come “to seek and save the lost.” He had a clear ministry objective that He carried out through a multitude of ministries. There was His compassionate ministry, in which He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and loved the marginalised. There was His preaching ministry, in which He discipled, taught, and conversed, as well as His cross-cultural efforts to the Samaritans and the Gentiles. This may come as a great surprise, but none of us possess the flexibility and gifting to successfully sustain such a variety of ministry efforts, though all our efforts are unto the same end as Jesus’ — to seek the lost and invite them into His family.

Take a moment to consider your own calling. Where has God positioned you uniquely to serve the Kingdom and seek the lost? Which gifts has He given you to partner with Him in His work? Thank Him for your calling, gifting, and the tasks He has set before you. Ask Him for anything you need to see the tasks He sets before you completed and consider if He’s urging you onward in any way.

Every missionary strives to work themselves out of their job. They long for the day that their host country has the foundation and spiritual maturity needed to carry out the Great Commission for themselves! Jesus prepared His disciples for years: He lived, taught, walked, served, and broke bread with them to prepare them for His eventual departure. At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus empowered His followers to carry on His mission without Him (Mt 28:18-20). He promised to send the Spirit (Jn 14:26), who would give them everything they needed to witness throughout the world (Acts 1:8). This invitation is for us, today, just as much as it was for the disciples ’ .

First, thank Jesus for the gift of the Spirit and the fact that He welcomes us into gospel partnerships with Him. What a blessing to be used by God! Second, consider your disciples: are they dependent on you, or are you preparing them for your departure?

Thanks for joining us for this time of reflection. Our Global Missions Toolbox team is praying every blessing over you this Easter , as we celebrate our risen Lord and great hope. As you conclude this reflection, spend some time praising God for His magnificent plan of salvation, Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, and the Spirit, whose same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us today!

The post A Guided Reflection on the Ultimate Mission: Easter appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

Why Should We Care About Missions?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:09:00 GMT

This blog was written by Leanne Monge Barrera and generously contributed by Greater Europe Mission Canada. You can read the original post here .

Do you remember your first exposure to missions? If you grew up in a Christian church, perhaps the idea was first planted in Vacation Bible School. There we would be regaled of the Apostle Paul’s adventures in prison, earthquakes, and on rough seas. We would hear fantastic stories of people suddenly understanding foreign languages, and tragic tales of young men martyred by villagers. For a young child, foreign missions was understood as a global adventure to be taken on by only the most spiritually mature among us.

Even as adults, these ideas still linger. We’re taught about great spiritual needs in church, we hear from missionaries in Sunday school, we may even host a missionary family for a night or two. But the concept remains slightly out of reach. Missions is something other Christians do, right? “Good for them,” we are tempted to think, “but it’s not really for me.”

We think missions is for you: for you to pray about, participate in, and support. But why?

Why should you care about missions?

Because God cares

If we claim to love God, we should love the things He loves, and the things that matter to Him should matter to us.

We know that He loves His children—we’re the reason He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us (John 3:16) and an example for us to follow (John 20:21). He wants His children—from every people group and nation—to experience His glory. Acts 13:47 says that He has made us a light for the gentiles, that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

God longs to redeem and restore us (1 Peter 5:10). He doesn’t want any of His family to miss this gift, which is why, like Jesus, we need to go into the world to ensure no one misses out!

Because salvation is only available through Jesus Christ

The Word is clear that Jesus is our only hope for salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). If this is the case, then everyone needs to know. Unfortunately, there are still people in this world that haven’t even heard the name ‘Jesus’, never mind choose to follow Him.

According to The Joshua Project , out of the earth’s 17,400 people groups, over 7,000 have never heard the Gospel. This means about 40% of the world’s people groups haven’t had a chance to hear about the redemptive power of God. It wouldn’t be fair to let those who do not yet know Jesus to pass away before knowing this life-saving truth. And as God’s children, it is our duty to tell them.

Because all people should have access to a local church

The community created through the local church is so important. Time and time again, Scripture reminds us of God’s intention for us not to be alone (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, and Matthew 18:20, to name just a few). Local churches allow believers, both new and old, to meet and encourage one another in their faith, to build one another up and sharpen each other’s “swords”. We are simply stronger with others. It’s God’s plan and intention for us.

The best thing we can do to build up the global Church is to build and support these local churches. Though planting a church isn’t always easy, the resulting light that is brought to the dark areas of our communities make it all worthwhile!

Because it’s instrumental in multiplying disciples

Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” This isn’t simply an option, but a command for all who believe. Jesus continues: “…and surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Though the task may seem daunting, we aren’t alone—Jesus is with us. As we obey, He will lead and guide us in the process.

One of the wonderful aspects of making disciples is that the weight of the task doesn’t fall on any one person’s shoulders alone. As we make disciples, these disciples then go on to make more disciples. This beautiful cycle can only begin when someone first brings the Gospel to where it isn’t yet known… could that be you?

Because the need is so great!

Have you read Luke 10:2? “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

How about this verse: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” Matthew 7:13-14.

If you were to do a quick online search as to how many Christians there are in this world, you may disagree with the above verses, thinking: “There’s plenty of believers; I’m not really needed to do missions.” The reality, however, is that these numbers often represent people who have no relationship with Jesus. Many, in fact, simply identify as “Christian” because of their traditions and upbringing but haven’t actually dedicated their lives to God.

For example, in France, it appears 61% of the population is Christian, but in reality, only 1% are Evangelical. Italy, a country that is known for its Christian roots, claims more than 80% of its population is Christian, yet Evangelicals make up a mere 1.1%. Looks–and terminology–can be deceiving. There truly is a great need for Jesus to be shared with the nations!

We all have a role to play in getting the Gospel to where it has not yet been heard, understood, or experienced. Whether sending people, prayer, money, or resources for others to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, we must all play our part. As long as there are unbelievers among us—and as long as we are still on this earth—our job is not yet done.

Why not start where you are, and knock on a neighbor’s door? Perhaps the Gospel hasn’t yet been heard there.

Hungry for more? Click to continue learning the “Biblical Basis for Missions” from Genesis to Revelation for pastors , mission committee members, and friends and family.

The post Why Should We Care About Missions? appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

A Month of Missions-Minded Prayer

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:33:00 GMT

Prayers are vital to the longevity and influence of missionaries in the places they’re sent. Though they may carry impressive knowledge or have an inspiring willingness to serve, their own human strength isn’t always going to be enough—they need help. Thankfully, we serve an all-powerful God who is faithful to intervene in ways beyond our own limitations.

Though not everyone will call themselves an intercessor, as believers, we are all called to pray. Why not press in closer to God and support a global worker through intentional prayer? Why not choose one month this year to devote to serving a worker in a way that is powerful and effective?

If you’re up for the task of committing a month to prayer, consider following our guide to lead you. Each prayer can be offered on behalf of a specific worker or the mission field in general. If you are personally connected to a global worker, we encourage you to reach out and ask them if they have any specific prayer needs. Incorporate those into your month of prayer and let them know you’re lifting them up.

Let’s jump in expectantly, knowing that He is capable of answering each and every one of our prayers!

Week One

Focus: The worker's relationship with God

Day 1 : Take a moment to lift the global worker up in prayer. Pray that they may be confident in God’s Word, knowing it to be not only trustworthy and reliable, but living!

“ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Day 2 : Pray today that the worker would be filled with God’s Spirit—a vital requirement for being effective on the mission field.

“ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23

Day 3 : Let’s pray that the worker will continue growing in their faith, becoming fully mature in Christ.

“ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:13-14

Day 4 : Just as we all need rest, pray especially for the spiritual rest of the worker today.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Day 5 : Sometimes it’s hard to be obedient when the Lord asks you to do something you’re uncomfortable doing. Pray today that the worker would be obedient, that it may lead to the salvation of others and more glory to God.

“ F or just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

Day 6 : Pray today for victory for the worker when experiencing spiritual warfare.

“ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Day 7 : Pray that the worker will hold firm, continually knowing and remembering their identity in God.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Week Two

Focus: The Worker's Country of Service

Day 8 : Pray for the protection of the sovereignty of the country.

“And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.” Leviticus 26:6

Day 9 : Pray for the country’s leader(s) to be responsible and wise.

“Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.” Ecclesiastes 10:16 -17

Day 10 : Pray for blessings over the land.

“I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit, and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.” Ezekiel 34:26-27

Day 11 : Many people have prayed prayers over the land that the worker is serving in. Pray that those prayers will be answered.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Day 12 : Pray for peace among the residents of the country.

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19

Day 13 : Pray for provision for the people—that it may be a prosperous nation.

“All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.” Psalm 104:27-28

Day 14 : Pray that there would be revival and a spiritual awakening across the nation.

“Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Psalm 80:19

Week Three

Focus: The Worker's Wellbeing

Day 15 : Pray for the worker as they continue learning the country’s language and culture. Pray they would adjust well and not be stressed.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Day 16 : Pray that the worker would collaborate well, and not quarrel, with the other Christians in their serving country.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Day 17 : Pray that even when things get hard, they will still find joy.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Day 18 : Pray for Christ-like humility to characterize the worker.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6

Day 19 : Pray for the worker’s financial provision.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Day 20 : Pray for the worker’s physical health. If you know they need healing, pray for healing; otherwise, pray that the worker remains healthy.

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NASB

Day 21 : Pray for the worker’s mental health. Christian workers are not exempt from depression, anxiety, and other mental hardships. Pray for healing where it’s needed, and for their faith to remain firm in all circumstances.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Week Four

Focus: The Worker in Action

Day 22 : Pray for unity and effectiveness among their team.

“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

Day 23 : Pray that God would use the worker, and those they are connected with, to plant and multiply churches successfully.

“…Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:20

Day 24 : Pray that the Gospel message will be clear through them.

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” Colossians 4:3-4

Day 25 : Pray that God will open the hearts of the people in that nation.

“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14

Day 26 : Pray that the worker would have perseverance to continue the good work.

“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NASB

Day 27 : Pray that the worker would successfully make disciples. Pray for a multiplication of disciples across the worker’s serving country!

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Day 28 : Pray that God reveal Himself through the worker with signs and wonders.

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.” Acts 14:3

Thank you for your commitment in pursuing God’s Kingdom here on earth! We hope that spending a month in prayer has brought you closer to God and has stirred more passion in what He’s doing through missions.

Click on any of the following categories to download this prayer guide for pastors , for missions committees , or for friends and families .

The post A Month of Missions-Minded Prayer appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

4 Questions to Guide You Through Giving Tuesday

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 21:05:00 GMT

The concept of Giving Tuesday is an intentional effort to encourage people to be generous toward charitable causes, especially after just enjoying the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We want to encourage you to see Giving Tuesday as a way to live missionally, keeping local and global needs in mind.

A Guide to Giving Tuesday

1. Will you give on Giving Tuesday?

A simple "Yes" or "No" will get you out of the gate as you decide if you’ll share some of what you have. Thanks for asking yourself this critical question, and if you answer "Yes," we’re so glad you’ll participate in some way this year!

2. How much will you give?

Once you’ve decided to give, you’ll need to decide how much. Of course, there is no single answer that will work for everyone. Here are just a few options you can consider:

A particular amount. For example, will you give exactly $20, $100, or $5,000? We recommend p icking a simple, round number.
A percentage. Perhaps you would prefer to give 1% or 5% or 10% of your next paycheck. Or 50% of your entertainment/dining out budget this month? Or a percentage of this month’s dividends?
The same amount you spent on Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday. This may sound a bit radical, but thinking like this leads us into selfless generosity. You might also consider giving what you saved by shopping during those great sales.
Give a consistent annual gift . If you gave last year, why not make it a trend by giving it again this year?
Give again, but with an increase. All of us are facing inflation over time, and charities will be encouraged if you give last year’s amount a little boost to cover ever-rising costs.

There are lots of ways to decide how much you will give, but it’s helpful to have a specific amount in mind. We encourage you to pause here and pray. Jot down a number (or tap it into your phone). Get it in your head, and then move on to the next question.

3. To whom will you give?

You may have some familiar favorites: people or organizations you know already who would be blessed by your generosity. This is a great option that can help build further relationship over time. Scan your inbox over the last month to remind yourself of people and/or organizations that have been in touch with their needs. Here are some further ideas to stimulate your thinking:

Local and global. There are serious needs in any community: local shelters for women or men, food banks and assistance programs, and hundreds of others. Mission agencies and humanitarian organizations around the world will also benefit from your generosity. Year end gifts like those made on Giving Tuesday can help catalyze and accelerate rescue and relief efforts.
Short-term and long-term. There are some projects that need to happen right now, and others that will take years to complete – both are worthy considerations.
Physical and spiritual. Some people are hungry, and at risk of not having adequate shelter. (I live in Canada, where our winters make this a serious concern.) And as Christians, we are burdened even more deeply by the spiritual needs of people. We desire that all will hear the Good News about Jesus’ saving work on the cross. The Great Commission is central to the purpose of believers everywhere.

Again, we encourage you to pause and pray. Let the Lord help you prioritize who to give to and decide how much you will give to each party.

4. How will you give?

Snail Mail. The vast majority of charities are prepared to receive your donation via cheque in the mail. It takes a little longer to arrive (and adds the cost of a stamp) but is a reliable way to give.
Credit Card. Most charities with websites will have “giving portals” clearly marked with a “Donate” or “Give Now” button. If not, it’s probably as near as a brief phone call to their office. Be aware that Credit Card companies charge a percentage of your donation (usually 2-3%) for handling. You may be able to “cover” these fees in the payment processing page, or set up a direct E-Transfer to avoid them altogether.
Giving Apps or Texting. PayPal is increasingly used by charities to help keep fees to a minimum. Also, some telephone companies allow donors to text a donation, and add the donation amount to their mobile phone bill – you’ll need to inquire with your provider to get company-specific details.

You might want the organization or person to know you gave, or maybe not! Many organizations will help you give anonymously, if you prefer.

Once you’ve made your donation, say a quick prayer of blessing: may the Lord guide and bless the use of that donation, and bring good fruit that will last and glorify Him! (John 15:8)

Generosity can be contagious!

While we don’t recommend sharing exact amounts of donations, letting others around you know that you’ve decided to participate in Giving Tuesday can encourage them to do the same. You might do this through simple word of mouth, sharing the ideas at dinner for your family/kids to hear, or even posting on social media to let others know – not for your glory, but to lift awareness and invite others in.

Thanks for taking a little time to read through this brief guide on Giving Tuesday. If you have questions, or would like to include the Global Missions Toolbox in your giving plans, please reach out to our team here: info@globalmissionstoolbox.com.

The post Thinking Through Generous Giving appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .

"Why the Global Missions Toolbox?"

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:21:00 GMT

The concept for the Global Missions Toolbox is simple and the “why” is robust.

Because we believe in the strategic role of Senders.

We firmly believe that some are a part of fulfilling the Great Commission by going cross culturally to share the Gospel and make disciples of the nations. We also believe that others are called to fulfill the Great Commission by faithfully sending .

Senders are Christ-followers who may not live on the mission field themselves yet are earnest about making disciples of all nations. Senders support global missions prayerfully, enthusiastically, financially, and practically. The Global Missions Toolbox is primarily for Senders.

We are developing the Toolbox because Pastors have a strategic role as Senders. As pastors lead and shepherd their congregation, they have a unique opportunity to send members of their church to serve cross culturally. They also have the opportunity to develop a missional culture and unite the whole church body as Senders who actively support their Goers.

We are developing the Toolbox because Mission Committees have a strategic role as Senders. Missions Committee members are pouring their energy and passion into missions-minded efforts within their local church. This enthusiasm has a ripple effect that inspires the congregation to consider how God is calling them specifically.

We are developing the Toolbox because the friends and family of mission workers have a strategic role as Senders. Friends and family support Goers by offering encouragement, relationship, and consistency. As believers, we are meant to do life in community and this is particularly true of those who are separated by time and distance for the sake of the Gospel.

Because unity strengthens the Church.

There is a wealth of resources available to missions-minded individuals. We want to make the most trustworthy and practical resources more accessible to Senders by gathering them into one Toolbox for you. Churches, missions agencies, and individuals have much to offer. When we share resources, we greatly strengthen the church.

The Global Missions Toolbox is an avenue to share resources and participate in community as we mutually encourage one another.

Because over 3 billion people are still unreached with the Good News.

Ultimately, we are equipping individual Senders and the Church as a whole with the 3 billion people who have no access to the Good News of Jesus in mind.

Romans 10:14-15 says “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”

And how will they be sent to the nations unless there is some one to send? The great hope and aim both of those who send and those who will be sent is the same: that those who have not yet heard will hear of and believe in Jesus.

As we create and curate resources for the Senders, we do so with a long-term perspective of the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in equipping Senders, empowering Goers, and saving the lost and unreached.

The post Why a Global Missions Toolbox? And why now? appeared first on Global Missions Toolbox .