Ideas for a Church on the Mission Field

Thoughts for building a church on the mission field by Jeffrey Bush

Show and tell your people what all ministerial positions look like — be specific about what an usher, musicians, teacher, etc., should do and how they should act.

Put a tract rack/stand on the street in front of the church where people can pick up information for free.

Place church signs everywhere possible — on building, upright stands on the sidewalk, banners over the street, etc.

Put a speaker outside with native speaker inviting others to come in, maybe some good music or announcements.

Pray God to work. Sounds cliche, but James 4:2 tells us that we have not because we ask not. Do you really believe God can work? Do you want God to do a big work? If you do believe it, then it’s time to ask God, which will result in living expectantly.

Preach and talk about what you want and expect. Would people know you believe and want to see servants of Christ raised up? Remember that nothing is dynamic unless it’s specific, meaning it cannot impact and change people unless you are specific in your preaching and teaching.

Preach messages that are simple and clear.

Get everyone a job, an opportunity to be plugged in. Don’t let hardly anyone in the pulpit, but get a paper and write down all ministries that people can be involved in (i.e.: give out bulletins, ushers, welcome committee, evangelism, line up chairs, sound system, kids ministries, play instrument, serve coffee/tea to all, etc.).

Make an order of the service

Carry tracts with you everywhere you go and encourage others to do the same.

Find out what it would cost to get on the radio, get in the newspaper or put ads on the buses, taxis, street posts, street banners over roads, etc. Get the word out that there is a church that preaches the gospel and wants to help people in your area.

Have a giant sign on your church building, whether someone paints or you purchase it. Using an electrical, lit-up sign if possible so that people can see it at night.

Make sure you have a webpage for the church.

Use Facebook or other popular apps is (like WeChat, WhatsApp, etc.) to promote your church and activities. People use Facebook in other countries more than in the US.

Have Bibles available in church for visitors or for those who don’t have one.

Give out Bibles for free to people who come to three consecutive services (or whatever number of services you think works best).

Pay someone to drive with a big speaker of recording that talks about your church. Although not everywhere, many countries have people that sale fruit or other products by driving around with a big speaker… so use the same idea.

Talk about what a church is and work to organize it.

Have people at the church doors to receive any guests, to give out something, to answer any questions and to point them inside.

Have a personal business card and give it out wherever you go. People will begin to know you as the pastor or Bible teacher.

Send everyone home with something from the church — bulletin, preaching notes, calendar or something. Remember that if they hang up something or carry around something with the church’s name on it, it’s good and free publicity.

Give out gifts to every visitor — pen, mug, tract, candy, magnet or something with the church’s name on it.

Have challenges in church where people can get a gift. For example:

  • Bring a visitor and get a free T-shirt
  • Come so many services and get a Bible
  • Memorize a Bible verse and get a free coffee mug.
  • Pass out so many tracts during the week and get free pen with church’s name on it.
  • Take notes in church 5x and get a free notebook with church’s name on it.
  • Read Bible through and get a sweatshirt or light jacket.

Have a small bookstore (maybe only a small table in the corner) with a few nicer Bibles and books that you know will help people.

Decorate the church with Bible verses on walls, in halls and anywhere possible. Remember, it’s God’s Word that changes lives and we want to get it into their hearts, memories and lives.

Use offering envelopes and put them in a rack or little case hung on the wall. Even if you prefer not to use envelopes, the idea of people seeing others pick them up to give makes a big statement and is a reference when you talk about giving. It also helps divide up where the giving goes (tithe, construction, missions, etc.) and lets people know both the need, the importance and organization of giving.

Put up a map of your city with a verse under it and a saying of how it’s your responsibility to tell the area about Jesus.

Interview a Missionary

Although it is a delight for a church to hear a missionary presentation, sometimes the pastor may want to interview the missionary in front of the church. Interviewing a missionary will allow the church to hear the specific questions that can most benefit them. This list is in no way perfect, just a few that will spark other ideas.

  • Tell us how you got saved.
  • Tell us why you believe God wanted you to be a missionary.
  • Why did you choose that specific country?
  • How could we as a church have a part in your ministry?
  • What was the strangest experience you have had so far?
  • What was the hardest challenge you have faced?
  • What is the funniest thing that has happened?
  • What is your favorite memory from your time in the country so far?
  • How can we be praying for you?
  • What is the strangest food they eat in your country? 
  • Why should someone from our church consider going to your country? 
  • What are your goals? We’d like to know and be able to pray for you. 
  • How do you know God called you or lead you to missions? 
  • What has been one of the most challenging things that you have faced on the mission field or up to now? How did you get the victory? 
  • What do you do on the mission field as a wife/mother? 
  • How can churches and people partner with you in a more tangible way?
  • How do you balance family and ministry? 
  • Can you tell a story of someone who was saved in your ministry? 
  • How do you spend time with the Lord? 
  • Tell something interesting about your culture.
  • What are your biggest needs? 
  • Any special prayer requests? 

How to Pray for Missionaries, Pastor Austin Gardner

I Thessalonians 5:25 — Brethren, pray for us. 
II Corinthians 1:11 — Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Get in the battle through prayer Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Pray for Protection

Romans 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; II Thessalonians 3:1-2

Pray for an Acceptable Ministry

Romans 15:31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

Pray for Success

Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

Pray that God will Open Doors for the Gospel

Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; That I May make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Pray that the Word of God might have Free Course and be Glorified

II Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Missions Definition by Pastor Jeremy Collins

Missions is the extension of the ministry of the Local Church outside of its walls and sphere of direct influence to places and to people it cannot reach itself by sending and partnering with others who are like-minded and who can and will go on their behalf.

M — Mandate (to) — Preach, Baptize, Train
Matthew 28:18, 19; Acts 1:8

I — Intercession (for) — The Lost, The Givers, The Goers
Matthew 9:37–38; 2 Thessalonians 3:1,2

S — Suffering — Persecution from without and within
2 Timothy 4:5; 2 Timothy 3:10–12; 1 Peter 4:12–13

S — Sacrifice — Financial, Physical, Emotional
2 Timothy 2:4; Romans 12:1,2

I — Involvement — “All in”, “You”
1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

O — Obedience (to) — The Will and Word of God
John 2:5; 1 Samuel 15:22

N — Nearness (to) — God: His Presence and His Power
James 4:8; Philippians 2:1–16

S — Standing Power — No Quitting – Pressing On
Ephesians 6:12-18; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 3:14

What will Faith Promise Missions Conference do for your church?

It will build the FAITH of your church, through the expounding of the Scriptures, the experiences that are shared, nad the expressions of satisfaction by the missionaries and by others who are involved in faith promis; the faith of your church will be increased.

It will build a FIRE in your church. In a mission’s conference, perhaps as in no other meeting, your people will become conscious of the souls that are lost, the Savior that loves them, and the Spirit that leads us in winning them.  This then will translate into action in your own church that will bring people to God.

It will build the FELLOWSHIP in your church. A burden for a world that is going to hell without the Gospel will change the whole attitude of your church.  It will destroy a selfish spirity, develop a sharing spirit, and also develop a steadfast spirit among your people.

It will build the FINANCES of your church. As you move to give by faith to missions, you will discover two thing happen.  You free up the tithes and offerings given to the church to be used for local church expenses, but above that, you will discover that God’s shovel is bigger than your spoon, and He will shovel in more than you spoon out.  God will honor the faith, freeness, and feelings of the church as they give by faith to missions.  Space will not permit me to tell about many churches that experienced increases in tithes and offerings to the church as the church moved to give to missions by faith.

It will build the FIELD of your church. Humanly spaking, the outreach of your church is very limited.  But as you get involved in faith promise giving and taking on the missionaries, you move from street to street, from state to state, and from shore to shore through your missions program.  Everywhere you support a missionary becomes a part of your church field, until one day you realize God’s field is the world (Mt. 13:38).

It will build the FUTURE of your church. I would not attempt to make you believe that the churches with faith promise mission programs do not have any problems, but since missions is the very heartbeat of God, as you move to give by faith, you can be assured of God’s presence, peace, and protection on your church.

It will be the FINAL reward for your church. Many churches major on super structures or comfortable conveniences for their people.  These will not gain much attention at the judgment seat of Christ, but faith promise missions will bring much fruit that will be accredited to the church’s account (Phil 4:17).  I believe the Lord will bring together each church, their missionaries, and the fruit of the missionaries’ labors at the judgment seat of Christ, and the church members will get to see the fruit of their mission giving.  You talk about a shouting time, we’ll have one!

By Dr. Roger Baker