Virginia Mennonite Missions
Resources for Mission Communicators |
Sharing Jesus with those who have never experienced the Good News is at the heart of our calling as Christians. This sharing takes many forms, from inviting a neighbor to share coffee and conversation to mobilizing resources for community and church development overseas.
VMM invites one person in each congregation to serve as Mission Communicator, to provide a link between Virginia Mennonite Conference congregations and the ministries of VMM. Mission Communicators help to care for the mission life of the congregation by keeping members informed and encouraging them to be involved in VMM outreach.
A Mission Communicator should look for ways to motivate people to be active in mission. Here are some suggestions:
Let your
congregation know who you are.
Offer to help small groups or individuals committed to missions.
Tailor your role to the needs you
see in your congregation.
Communicate with your church leadership.
Talk to your pastor about the best ways to share mission news
with the congregation.
Stay in touch with the congregation’s outreach commission.
Share stories about VMM workers.
As the missions contact for your congregation, you will receive mission mailings sent by VMM. These are to be shared in some way with your congregation. Post information on a special missions bulletin board, share praise and prayer items during a Sunday morning service, print items in your bulletin, or find other ways to connect the congregation with what is happening in ministry areas.
Initiate
and promote special events.
Help plan meals, celebrations and projects.
Invite guest speakers.
Team with one or more area
churches for a special event or project.
Watch for and promote VMM events such as festivals, meals, and meetings.
Be aware of
missionaries on USA assignment as possible guest speakers.
Look for ways to engage all age groups.
Inform the congregation of
ways they can be supportive.
Challenge them to be actively involved in some way.
Be an example. Your enthusiasm will be contagious,
if you are indeed enthusiastic.
Commit to praying for your congregation’s heart for outreach. Don’t overwhelm. Too much is too much.
Lots of information can overwhelm rather than motivate. Use your judgment about what is most interesting and stimulating for your
congregation. Be sensitive to congregational response. Perhaps select one or two missionary families to focus on regularly.
Keep VMM posted on outreach activities in your congregation. Let us know about special events or projects. Send us reports and photos. We want to know about your ideas and share them with others, possibly publishing them in Connections.
For the body to be built up, the Kingdom of God needs people to:
Pray. Pray for sensitivity to God’s vision for both the VMM missionaries and staff. Intercede for field staff, bringing their struggles and concerns to God. Pray for physical and spiritual protection. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity for office staff. (See the monthly prayer calendar in Connections for specific matters for prayer.)
Contribute financially. Choose specific programs to support or give to the general mission fund of VMM. Give through your congregation’s budget or send an individual contribution. Support special events, festivals, meals and projects.
Be informed. Learn about the countries and regions where VMM is involved. Get to know VMM’s missionaries. Watch for mission news and bulletin announcements sent monthly to your congregation with current news from ministry areas. Read Connections. Visit VMM’s website. Consult a copy of the current VMM Missions Directory.
Inform others. Be part of congregational mission events and projects. Listen for opportunities to talk about missions outside of your congregation.
Encourage those in ministry. Write encouraging letters. Send e-mails. Encourage your congregation, Sunday school class, or small group to “adopt” a missionary family. Remember missionary families during holidays and on birthdays (see current VMM Missions Directory for contact information). Watch for opportunities to meet and affirm overseas missionaries who are on USA assignment between terms.
Be open to serving. Stay sensitive and responsive to God’s call for you. Consider short-term or long-term service, in the USA or overseas.