Missions Overview

"Missions" is a loaded word for most Christians. Missions has often been reduced to a limited question of whether you will be a missionary or not. Most Christians would admit that they don't really know enough about what missions is. Even less clear is how someone can live for God's global purpose without being a missionary. (*footnote: paragraph from perspectives) From the beginning of the bible in Genesis 3:9, after Adam and Eve sinned and were lost in fellowship with God, God immediately went looking saying, "Where are you?" And hence the redemptive history of mankind began. We therefore trace missions, not to the Cross or even to Pentecost, but to the very nature and character of God. Through missions, God is building his Kingdom. As a world Christian, we can no longer be mere onlookers. God gives us a place and a role. David Bryant published a book titled "In the Gap" which best summarizes what it means to be a World Christian. The purpose of the missions committee is to be "in the gap" as a sender. Financial support is not the only means of sending support. Other needs include communication support and prayer support. Communication support is communicating prayer requests & ministry updates to church members back home in any form (web, bulletin board, organized events, articles, announcements, etc.) Therefore, gifts in the areas of administration, web, and intercessory prayer are good motivational fits for the committee. Prayer support is interceding those communicated prayer requests to our heavenly Father. This is to ensure that though no one else in the church is praying and interceding for our missionaries, the committee members stand as the last line of defense. Communication support and prayer support will be the two core responsibilities of the missions committee members. FOR THE MOST UPDATED MISSIONS ACTIVITY, CHECK OUT THIS BLOG: www.xanga.com/joymissions Threefold Foci of Missions at JCF Focus #1: REVIVAL * KEY VERSE: (2 Chronicles 7:14) 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. * PRINCIPLES: Pray & Be Released to Serve the Greater Church * PARTNERSHIP/MEDIUM: Marveling Place, KCCC – Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, Joseph Company, New Jersey Youth Pastors' Network, KPCA retreat, Joyful Noise, Connections Conference Focus #2: POOR * KEY VERSE: (Matt 25:34-36,40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'; (Isaiah 58) Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. * PRINCIPLES: Mercy, Compassion, & Justice (Going beyond Charity) * PARTNERSHIP/MEDIUM: (International)Steve Siebert (Philippines), World Vision (Uganda), House of Union (Thailand), Grace Home (India), Ecuador, International Prison Fellowship (Korea) (Local) New York City Relief; Hana Mission Focus #3: UNREACHED * KEY VERSE: (Matthew 28: 18-20; 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. * PRINCIPLES: Finishing the Task * PARTNERSHIP/MEDIUM: (Internationa) 10/40 Window Missionaries in China (3), India (2), Russia, Guinea, Turkey (2), Jordan, Kosovo, Morocco, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Doulos Ship (OM) (Local) International House of Prayer, Jesus for Muslim, ESL outreach to Turkish immigrants Learn more about our Missionaries>> SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES If you are interesting in planning a short-term missions team project, please contact Haejin with your plans and ideas for prayer and guidance. Information regarding the application process and funding will be posted shortly. In the meantime, please see below regarding our current short-term opportunities as well as the past. TRIPS IN 2008 - JORDAN (Nov) - *THAILAND (postponed to 2009) - *KOSOVO (postponed to 2009) - CHINA (returned) - EL SALVADOR (returned) - INDIA (returned) - NK (returned) * open for application * PAST TRIPS IN 2007 - THAILAND (Nov) - KOSOVO (Nov) - KENYA (Aug. 31 - Sept 9) - UGANA (May 12-23) - CHINA (May 4-13) PAST TRIPS IN 2006 - QATAR (February 17-26) - NEW ORLEANS (March 5-11) - CHINA (April 28-May 7) - NEW ORLEANS - part deux (May 21-27) - PHILIPPINES (May 26-June 9) - TURKEY - Bursa & Izmir (July 4-July 17) - THAILAND - Bangkok & Chiang Mai (August 16-26)