- Carry a wrinkle-release spray (from Downy or generic brand) in your car for if in a pinch and can’t iron in between meetings, etc. Works very well on shirts. Carry an iron as well in case you need to iron on trips
- Always take a spare dress shirt (for lunch spill stains), full suit, shoes, tie, and BIBLE (I have forgotten shoes, tie, AND my Bible before and had to run to Walmart last minute or use a pew Bible, very embarrassing and not fun) Have a clothes bar to hang stuff up in the back seat
- Keep a spare set of overnight clothes (an overnight bag) in case needing to stop over night because the drive home that night is a tad too far; Don’t drive more than 6 hours (2 states radius) away from home
- Have an emergency roadside kit (from Walmart or somewhere) in case of emergencies which usually includes a flashlight, jumper cables, all-purpose utility tool like a “Leatherman” – Portable air pump that plugs into cig lighter for leaking flat tires so that you can make it to Sun PM meeting from AM
meeting - FULL-size spare tire for same reason mentioned above, better than a small donut that can only go 50mph or under
- Clean up your social media profiles/platforms from childish or inappropriate things. It is now a ministry platform. Listen to Michael Hyatt’s podcast “This is Your Life” about building your platform. Use Buffer or CoSchedule to connect your social media accounts. Set the FB settings to review tags before posting on your wall
- If traveling to a meeting anywhere in, around, or across Atlanta… take the estimated drive time and add AT LEAST an hour or two to make sure you don’t miss your meeting because of traffic…especially midweek services
- Carry neck pillow(s) and blanket(s) for napping in the car
- Black suit, white shirt, red tie, black wing tip shoes, tie clip – always be dressed one step above and look like a 50 yr old man ESPECIALLY if you look younger or are single. Comb over hair style to be respected by preachers – “accidentally” leave a prayer card in the bathroom before service on the sink counter so that everyone that walks in will see your prayer card while they wash their hands; especially effective while in a Missions Conference.
Why a Mission Board?!
Is a mission board Biblical? Is a mission board really necessary? Why can’t a missionary just go to the field without being connected to a mission board? I am certain that there are various opinions, but Vision Baptist Missions believes a mission board is wise for missionaries for the following reasons:
1. Stateside Administrative Oversight
Though definitely not the most important aspect, the the area of finance is the most commonly thought-about part of how a mission board helps its missionaries. Financial accountability is most certainly an important and valid reason to use a mission board.
A missionary travels around the country on deputation raising funds so in order to get to the mission field. His goal is to raise enough money to get to the field and do the work that God has called him to do. The funds must be directed somewhere legal, logical, and feasible for the missionary to access when on foreign soil.
Most churches cannot pay a secretary dedicated solely for receiving the missionary’s funds, allocating those funds, sending out receipts and keeping records for the missionary. A mission board is equipped to manage those things most local churches are not able to manage.
2. Counsel, Instruction, and Direction for Missions Work
The local church pastor is busy with preaching, serving his flock, and supervising the ministry. As a result the pastor entrusts the mission board to help care for and counsel the missionary.
A mission board is built up of individuals who have “field experience”. The mission board leaders can and will help the missionary understand how to do deputation, learn a language, adapt to a culture, start a church in a foreign culture, train national leadership, and much more.
Many times, a missionary leaves the states and is, in a sense, left alone to fend for himself. A mission board serves to instruct, counsel, and help the missionary to keep going and even do more.
We all need to be pushed, instructed, and helped in our lives. A good mission board will offer this encouragement to the missionaries.
3. Accountability
The accountability aspect is of great importance. The mission board should challenge the missionary to stay firm in his beliefs, avoid the pitfalls of sin or laziness, and use his money and time wisely. The leadership should help the missionary keep his marriage and family strong, safe, and spiritually healthy. The mission board should make sure the missionary has insurance and retirement policies in place, as well as help him keep focus, avoid sin, and continue growing.
4. Comradery
A pastor has pastors fellowships, a music leader has CD’s and song books, and youth leaders have conferences, videos and books. However the missionary many times is left to fend for himself. We at Vision Baptist Missions offer our missionaries a comradery in which they can be challenged, grow, think, and know they’re among others working on the front lines. Email rings, missions/leadership podcasts, on-going classes, regional conferences, notes, and updates are a few of the ways we attempt to help our missionaries. We want our missionaries to know they are among brethren with the same heart, love, and desire to get the Gospel to the world.
Newsletter 4 – Vol 4
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Deputation is…
- Deputation is asking the Lord for new fellow-laborers in the harvest fields.
- Deputation is reading to each other mile after mile… after mile.
- Deputation is hoping you can make it to the next gas station before running out of gas.
- Deputation is meeting with a room full of perfect strangers and leaving with the feeling you have known those folks for years.
- Deputation is knowing every $.99 menu from Pennsylvania to Florida.
- Deputation is waking up in pitch darkness and knowing you must be in the prophet’s chamber of some church… somewhere!
- Deputation is trembling as you open the phone bill.
- Deputation is rejoicing over the 2 for $.99 Taco Bell crunchy taco special.
- Deputation is waking up in the middle of the night to a crack of light streaming through the bathroom door so you will know you are in a motel… somewhere.
- Deputation is selecting a gas station minutes before a church service to freshen up, comb your hair and get the kids looking presentable again.
- Deputation is scanning the support list at the first of the month to see who the new supporters are.
- Deputation is asking the Lord how you can better communicate the burden He have given you for the field.
- Deputation is trusting the Lord for everything
- Deputation is making new friends.
- Deputation is the blessed peace knowing you are doing what the Lord wants.
- Deputation is getting a note from a dear friend saying, “All in His time; don’t get discouraged.”
- Deputation is freshening up the message, never let it get stale.
- Deputation is using the support list at the first of the month to thank God for faithful supporters and families.
- Deputation is rejoicing over finding a new name on that list.
- Deputation is seeing someone receive the Lord as their Savior.
- Deputation is hoping for a gas war when you’re getting close to empty… again.
- Deputation is trying to write a decent prayer letter and sometimes wondering if anyone reads those things anyway.
- Deputation is spending the night with a pastor and his wife, and being strengthened with laughter, fellowship, and yes, encouragement.
- Deputation is knowing the “best” exits on at least one major highway…or three.
- Deputation is showing up to a church that forgot you were coming, but by God’s grace they took you on for support anyway.
- Deputation is knowing that you can trust God for everything.
- Deputation is the mechanic shocked you are back so soon for your oil change as he just saw you a few weeks ago.
- Deputation is the 500 hidden napkins you have in your car.
- Deputation is having every card to save you money on gas as you travel!
- Deputation is hard work but also a lot of fun!
- Deputation is getting your 10th iced coffee refill at Starbucks as you hang out between meetings.
- Deputation is getting excited when you get new coupons for fast food restaurants!
- Deputation is when a vacation is being home more than two days!
- Deputation is a front row seat to seeing how big our God really is.
- Deputation is a new nursery every service for your toddler to terrorize.
- Deputation is the best way to appreciate a home cooked meal.
- Deputation is learning to always be ready for anything.
- Deputation is a great way to stretch your kids to make new friends.
- Deputation is stocking the car with emergency cleaning supplies, backup toothbrushes, and deodorant for everyone.
- Deputation is learning when your GPS is lying to you.
- Deputation is knowing everyone and knowing no one at the same time.
- Deputation is seeing that you aren’t the only one standing for the Gospel.
- Deputation is fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ because of the unity we have in the Gospel.
- Deputation is a time to grow your faith in preparation for the mission field.
- Deputation is knowing that a 6 hr drive is actually 5hrs and 15 minutes… or 8 hours.
- Deputation is waking up in the night to see the neighbor’s light streaming through your curtains and realizing you are “Home Sweet Home” – at least for a night or two.
- Deputation is thanking God for a mission’s house with a washer and dryer.
- Deputation is seeing God provide in miraculous ways again and again in the most unexpected ways.
- Deputation is a proving to yourself and others that you have faith enough to step out and do what God has called you to do.
- Deputation is making life-long friends that will hold the ropes for you on the field!
- Deputation is passing through a city only to stop and grab a bite with a sweet family that previously hosted you in their home during a mission’s conference.
- Deputation is reminding your kids that God has blessed them so much to be able to see so much of their home country while on the road and meet so many new people.
I would love to hear more ideas (funny or serious) of what deputation is to you. Send them to me at jeff@visionmissions.com
World Statistics
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100 Largest Cities of the World by metro population
Tokyo, Japan (37,126,000)
Jakarta, Indonesia (26,063,000)
Seoul, South Korea (22,547,000)
Delhi, India (22,242,000)
Shanghai, China (20,860,000)
Manila, Philippines (20,767,000)
Karachi, Pakistan (20,711,000)
New York, USA (20,464,000)
Sao Paulo, Brazil (20,186,000)
Mexico City, Mexico (19,463,000)
Cairo, Egypt (17,816,000)
Beijing, China (17,311,000)
Osaka, Japan (17,011,000)
Mumbai (Bombay), India (16,910,000)
Guangzhou, China (16,827,000)
Moscow, Russia (15,512,000)
Los Angeles, USA (14,900,000)
Calcutta, India (14,374,000)
Dhaka, Bangladesh (14,000,000)
Buenos Aires, Argentina (13,639,000)
Istanbul, Turkey (13,576,000)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (12,043,000)
Shenzhen, China (11,885,000)
Lagos, Nigeria (11,547,000)
Paris, France (10,755,000)
Nagoya, Japan (10,027,000)
Lima, Peru (9,121,600)
Chicago, USA (9,121,000)
Kinshasa, Congo (DRC) (9,046,000)
Tianjin, China (8,922,000)
Chennai, India (8,865,000)
Bogota, Colombia (8,702,000)
Bengaluru, India (8,670,000)
London, United Kingdom (8,586,000)
Taipei, Taiwan (8,338,000)
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (8,314,000)
Dongguan, China (8,278,000)
Hyderabad, India (7,903,000)
Chengdu, China (7,895,000)
Lahore, Pakistan (7,743,000)
Johannesburg, South Africa(7,618,000)
Tehran, Iran (7,419,000)
Essen, Germany (7,304,000)
Bangkok, Thailand (7,151,000)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong (7,106,000)
Wuhan, China (6,995,000)
Ahmedabad, India (6,482,000)
Chongqung, China (6,321,000)
Baghdad, Iraq (6,204,000)
Hangzhou, China (6,178,000)
Toronto, Canada (6,139,000)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (6,094,000)
Santiago, Chile (6,015,000)
Dallas-Fort Worth, USA (5,874,000)
San Francisco-San Jose, USA (5,864,000)
Quanzhou, China (5,798,000)
Miami, USA (5,582,000)
Shenyang, China (5,553,000)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil (5,523,000)
Philadelphia, USA (5,474,000)
Nanjing, China (5,455,000)
Madrid, Spain (5,427,000)
Houston, USA (5,383,000)
Xi’an-Xianyang, China (5,253,000)
Milan, Italy (5,232,000)
Luanda, Angola (5,204,000)
Pune, India (5,156,000)
Singapore, Singapore (5,155,000)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (5,037,000)
Khartoum, Sudan (4,887,000)
Saint Petersburg, Russia(4,879,000)
Atlanta, USA (4,715,000)
Surat, India (4,687,000)
Washington, D.C., USA (4,679,000)
Bandung, Indonesia (4,674,000)
Surabaya, Indonesia (4,617,000)
Yangoon, Myanmar (4,528,000)
Alexandria, Egypt (4,526,000)
Guadalajara, Mexico (4,524,000)
Harbin, China (4,477,000)
Boston, USA (4,427,000)
Zhengzhou, China (4,379,000)
Qingdao, China (4,378,000)
Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (4,368,000)
Barcelona, Spain (4,223,000)
Monterrey, Mexico (4,180,000)
Ankara, Turkey (4,172,000)
Suzhou, China (4,159,000)
Phoenix-Mesa, USA (4,076,000)
Salvador, Brazil (4,032,000)
Porto Alegre, Brazil (3,965,000)
Rome, Italy (3,799,000)
Accra, Ghana (3,792,000)
Sydney, Australia (3,785,000)
Recife, Brazil (3,756,000)
Naples, Italy (3,726,000)
Detroit, USA (3,724,000)
Dalian, China (3,717,000)
Fuzhou, China (3,713,000)
Medellin, Colombia (3,686,000)
Deputation by Jeffrey Bush
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YOUR DISPOSITION ON DEPUTATION by Missionary Tony Howeth
It has been stated that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to those things and their consequences. There is much truth to that in life and especially concerning Deputation. I am sure none of these are original! I learned or heard them from someone else but have been very much personalized over the last 16 months. I pray these will help you as you serve our Lord on Deputation.
D – Discern why you are on deputation. If the total focus of your time, travel and teaching is to get money you will be sorely disappointed when no love offering comes your way. You are given the opportunity to stir, motivate and encourage others about the greatest thing ever and that is world evangelism. Would you rather have a “good love offering” or have a young man surrender to the call to preach? If God can’t use you to minister to the lives of people on deputation, what makes you think that He would use you to minister to others once you get to the field?
E – Educate yourself as to your responsibility. Many missionaries complain of being on deputation for so long yet they have been in relatively few churches. The question is not how many months have you been on deputation but how many churches have you been in? I have met brothers who have been on deputation for a year and a half and have 30% of their support. That is not the problem, the problem is that they have only been in 75 different churches….that is only one new church a week! That is the problem! All of us will have to go to around 200 churches….you must decide how quickly you want to do that! Call, fill your schedule, write letters and learn how to present your ministry. Try to average 12+ meetings a month and once you are in a church present your work by God’s grace in such a way that they will never forget your name and the field you are going to. Again, learn how to do a calendar, make phone calls, schedule your meetings, present your work, carry yourself, talk to pastor’s, etc. God will do His part…will we do ours? Be careful not to blame God for something you were responsible for.
P – Protect your family time. You may have to get up earlier or stay up later but your family still needs you. I have been in full time ministry for 16 years and have never experienced the strain on my marriage and my family like deputation has done. My personal opinion is that when I pastored, I carried in all inside and on myself. Deputation takes its toll on everyone. There is no shielding the children from the scrutiny, long drives, dead services, etc. On deputation it wears on everyone and no one has the opportunity to be oblivious to it. Safeguard your marriage and children. Sir, it may be your attitude is not what it ought to be because the attitude of your wife is not what it ought to be. As the man helps your family to have the attitude they should and you will be surprised how it will help your attitude.
U – Understand you are not in competition with other missionaries. When you go into a conference they are not your enemies, they are fellow- soldiers. Stop comparing your love offerings, monthly reports, gifts, meeting, etc. to them. It is amazing how quickly your attitude can change when you find out another missionary got twice the love offering you did or scheduled a meeting after one phone call when you have called the same church a thousand times. We need to learn to rejoice with a missionary family when God has showered down blessings on them.
T – Thank those who assist you on your way. Write a thank you letter for the pastor giving you a meeting and then send him a thank you card after the meeting. (Your card could be post cards from your field to remind him of where you are going.) Thank individuals who invest in your ministry. Do not ever take someone’s sacrifice to help you for granted no matter how meager or humble it may seem. Attitudes are ruined on deputation when we think we deserve their time, money and help. Expect nothing and be thankful for everything.
A – Admit your own faults. Deputation is an opportunity for God in heaven to have His way in and through your life. Stop blaming the churches, pastors, children and wife….look in the mirror and admit there are things in your character that need a touch from God. Be man enough to say, “It is my fault.”, “I am sorry.”, “I was wrong.” Instead of, “What could the church have done differently?” Ask yourself, “What could I have done differently?”
T – Try not to get into needless debt. Be careful of taking the check or cash and putting all your expenses on a credit card and blowing the money at the same time. Financial pressure can ruin your day…make sure you did not bring it onto yourself. Keep a handle on what is coming in and what is going out. Many on deputation get a bad attitude over money they think they should have gotten but it may be God saw they were not a good steward of what they were getting so why should He give them more?
I – Insist on times alone with God. There are times when ones schedule is very demanding; it is then that you must seek first the kingdom of God . Refuel your life in the Word and in prayer. If you are working as you ought, you will constantly be giving to the spiritual needs of others. Be very careful that the Word of God does not become ordinary in your life. Let it truly be your life to quicken your spirit each and every day. Most of the time a bad attitude comes from not walking close to God.
O – Obey the Pastor. He has graciously allowed you to enter the church God has given him the responsibility of and to preach in his pulpit. Stop grumbling how you think he ought to treat you and honor him as the man of God. This is not about “what is right” but about you having a disposition that is pleasing to God. I can not control the how or the why of a pastor degrading me but I can control my mouth and heart toward him. Be careful that you do not train your children to bad mouth the man of God because one day the man of God they bad mouth may be you. Follow his time schedule whatever he gives you take two minutes less. Be a help to the pastor and his church….as you help the church one day when the church is able I believe the church will help you.
N – Never judge how your meeting will go with a church based on the testimony of another missionary. If theirs went badly then you will go in thinking, “This is going to stink!” (and it probably will because of your attitude.) If theirs went really well and the church helped them in a major way, you will be disappointed if they do not do the same for you. Then your family gets to put up with your sorry attitude all the way home. God is going to do different things, in different places with different people. Let God be God when you go into a meeting and see what He does!
By no means is this all inclusive! These are only a few areas that you will deal with that has the potential of changing your focus and ruining your disposition on deputation. Men if we fail on deputation, what will we do in language school and starting churches in a foreign culture? May God use deputation as a foundation to build a great work all over the world through Missionaries just like you!