I have some beef.

[WhyAjani]

This is what gets me... this is the struggle I see.

We have millions of people in the hood as we speak... alot of them are hard working Christians who have a urge to get out and spread the word of God. Why can't they? Why can't they go overseas where it's most needed? Because you have to shell out 5 grand to even get over there. First off it's a scam, I've added it up together, most of these "Christian" missionary organizations are making sure they rake in some profit... which is WACK. Why can't we send dedicated Christians overseas for free? For their sole love for Christ?
Someone told me, if they back out, they lose money... people wouldn't be serious, they think it'd all be fun and games...
When you get a job you get interviewed right? At least I'd settle for a deposit, at the end of the trip you get your deposit back.
Fresh.
Now this is what I see, I see a bunch of rich republican churches snaking money from the public and ACTING like they care about those people overseas. When in actuality they know NOTHING of their situation, they can't relate and they are uneducated on the political situation and WHY they are like this. I want change people. This is garbage that we have to shell out money to go overseas when an already large multi BILLION "corporation" known as the Christian church is spending hardly nothing. Why is this? There is no justification!

Seek reformation! Take to the streets brothers!

 

[WhyAjani]

Pay To Volunteer?!

 

[we5frogs]

Having been on mission trips, I can honestly say that I have never been overcharged, needing only to pay my outright expenses (plane, lodging, food & personal expenses).

The trips I was on were Work and Witness trips, where we were sent to help with specific building needs. While the church sent along a great deal of funding for materials and supplies, this money originally came from mission pledges that church members have made and kept. Had any of this money been used to cover our routine expenses, that would have resulted in less money with which to build and purchase needed supplies.

It would be great if we lived in a world where everyone gives all they have at their disposal to the church, be it money or services like plane transportation and lodging, which would then allow those who are willing to serve on the mission fields to travel free of charge. Today, however, this is not the case, and many churches are not pulling in even enough to cover expenses. I know that there are some churches that seem for all outward appearances to have a surplus, but since I do not attend one of these, I really can't say what the real situations are. Things are often not as they seem.

As for willing Christians who are not able to cover the expenses involved with missionary work, there are lots of creative ways to collect funds. I can only speak for our church, but we have had many types of fund raisers for those with limited resources who want to serve (spaghetti dinners, yard sales, coke wagons, work for a day at a local amusement park, car washes, T shirt sales, you name it, we've done it). People will often help when asked.

Also, you would be surprised how much money can be collect with a letter sent out stating the type of trip you want to take and giving info about the trip. (I know if one girl on another forum I go on that sent out letters to ex teachers, her doctors and their staff, local businessmen that she has come in contact with, aunts uncles and cousins, etc, and was able to completely pay for her trips three years in a row.) It takes a lot of work, but its worth it in the end.

Good for you for being so interested in the mission fields. Don't ever lose that fire to share the Word of God across the globe. We need more young people like you who have a passion for missions.

I'll be praying for you!

 

[WhyAjani]

I understand what you're saying frogs. See, I don't live in a Christian environment nor do I live around any descent churces. So gaining help from people around me seems so cold. I just get so bitter at the lack of unity amongst Christians. That's what I've seen anyway. Alot of churches around here shun the average kid from the gutters. It hurts to see that they don't understand nor will they ever. As far as money, yes I do believe that some of the MAJOR churches should help. Since we're about unity right? I understand the smaller ones couldn't do it though. There are some churches I know of in Atlanta that are multi-million dollar churches. Crazy. We just need unity, I suppose that's my biggest frustration.

 

[ElElohe]

All for one, cause. One Kingdom.

I worked at a Bible camp in Western Nebraska for 5 summers. I saw the need for and the beauty of the Body of Christ united. The staff were from all over the country, from Canada and Mexico, occaisionally an Indian, African or Australian worked the summers too. Denominational backgrounds were almost as varied. Urban, rural, they were there.

This experience lingered with me, and is part of the reason I serve part-time with a missions mobilization organization presently. The organization is non-denominational, striving to partner and collaborate with other existing (mostly non-denominational) sending agencies and mobilizers.

Working with a mission mobilizer has us trying to get the people you talk to, from the hood, the ghetto's, the projects, and everyone else into missions long-term. That doesn't mean they all go overseas though. Just that they are committed, life-long. Cuz Christ ain't coming back until every tribe and tongue have heard the Gospel! (Matt 24:14 and others) And I'm all for leaving this sin-infested planet.

But let's take as many worshippers with us as we can!!!

Costs vary widely for short-term trips. And though short-term stuff has it's place, it's not as important in frontier missions as long-term, incarnational ministry. We need healthy congregations to result from mission work, and short-termers by themselves won't produce these (although many of the better short-term trips are aid to missionaries already established in those countries.)

One last note with regards to a larger part of the demographic represented in the hood: African-Amercians (or "blacks," whatever you please) would have one less hurdle to overcome in certain African cultures. They'd make great missionaries if their heart was in it. In fact I read an article a few years back extolling the black community and black churches to become more involved for this reason. It seems, according to the article, black churches in America can't get away from their social issues as their driving focus.

All for now.

 

[we5frogs]

I don't live in a Christian environment nor do I live around any descent churches. Alot of churches around here shun the average kid from the gutters. QUOTE]

Hmmmm, you know, I truly believe that if and when our Lord wants you across the sea on a mission field, He will provide the resources you need in His perfect timing if you pray believing, but in the meantime - have you considered that your current mission field may be right out your own back door?

I don't remember what the numbers were, but I read a statistic recently that more mission trips are coming into the U.S. to evangelize here, than we are sending out from here. It was pretty startling.

Remember that He reached you, right where you are, and His plan may have been to use you there all along. It's something to think about.

 

[WhyAjani]

Word, I see what you guys are saying... Just let God guide us and if I can't change overseas.. change here...

You guys really just pushed me back and opened my eyes about patience and understanding. Maybe my own back yard is where I should start...

God Bless Brothers.

 

[Mailman Dan]

Now this is what I see, I see a bunch of rich republican churches snaking money from the public and ACTING like they care about those people overseas.

I've never seen a "republican" church before.... There's quite a few TV pastors that make a mockery of politics and religion though. (like the good "rev." Jackson, who stole money from his minstery to fund his mistress having his baby so his wife wouldn't find out...O wait...he is a democrat....)

Don't mix a political party in with a church group as a whole. Scripture warns there are many wolves in sheeps clothes among the flock.(reguardless of politics) Branding an entire church to a political party probably offends half those in it.


At any rate, less than 2% of Christians share their faith. While I do street witnessing alot, I had to pass on a chance to go with a team to China. It was going to cost 5 grand.

The same 5 grand that could send me over there for 2 weeks to do some very undercover witnessing, would go farther in supporting teams that were working with the underground churches there.
(yes, they do arrest them for preaching in the streets there)

Our church does send teams out to other countries every month. I wish they had a local street team for thse of us who want to reach the local lost.

Dan~~~>knows many of his neighbors are still lost