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An easy way to remember what the Missions Advancement Team (MAT) does is think of EMTs.

E nvisioning – Help the pastor instill a vision for the global harvest in every segment of the church body.

M obilizing – Assist the pastor in mobilizing people into personal missions involvement.

T raining – Provide people with the necessary training and preparation tools that equip them for effective                      cross-cultural missions ministry.

S erving – Supply support services for full-time missionaries, church missions projects and in-church                          missions activities.

The MAT works to facilitate the promotion of the Great Commission and creating funding for it. The teams recommendations, once approved by the pastor, are set in to place in all aspects of the church. These are meant to make the Great Commission real to all members no matter the age. Their hope and prayer is that each will feel an increased desire to be more greatly involved in the Great Commission.

We are all called to be part of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus spoke to each of us. He didn’t call out pastors, or missionaries, or evangelists and say it is only you who will do this. He asked us all to take part.

The Great Commission

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28: 18 – 20 KJV

I know this makes some people nervous and perhaps you’re thinking I can’t, it’s not in my skill set, I’m too shy, I might get embarrassed, I might offend someone, I might say the wrong thing, I don’t want to go overseas, I’m afraid to fly, and etc, etc, etc. There are any number of reasons why we think we shouldn’t do it. But that does not change the fact that Jesus asked us to do it.

Jesus wants you to hear Him when He whispers …

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Will your answer be …

Here am I; send me. (Isaiah 6:8)

Ok, I get it. Jesus wants me to be part of the Great Commission. But I have no clue what to do!

That’s where you need to be to start. It’s ok that you aren’t sure what to do or say and even that you’re nervous. We’ll look at how you can be involved in the Great Commission right where you’re at. Hold off on buying a ticket to anywhere yet. We’ll walk through what you can do today, how you can prepare yourself to be more effective, and down the road if you feel God tugging on your sleeve and telling you that it’s time to go yourself, we’ll help with that too.

 

Today’s simple steps.

Pray. Pray that God will speak to your heart and tell you what He wants for you.

Listen. It probably won’t be an immediate response. So continue that prayer, every day. Wait and listen.

Ask. Ask the MAT how you can be involved more now. Let them know what you can do or ask them what needs done. Calm down, they won’t sign you up for a 24 hour prayer vigil on your first step out. So trust in God and step out to see how you can make a difference.

 

Stay tuned for more posts on how you can be involved with the Great Commission right where you’re at.

 

Our Missions Advancement Team members are:

Kevin Schwartz – Missions Director

Mark Gibbs

Mindy Rodgers

Beth Keener

Janice Cox

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