"The true greatness of any church in not how many it seats but how many it sends!"

"Jesus will judge us not only for what we did, but also for what we could have done and didn't" (George Otis).

I'm glad I went. I learned more about missions than I had on any previous trip. I was pick-pocketed in Caracas, Venezuela. I found myself lost in Lima, Peru. And I spent an unforgiving portion of my time in South America in the banyo (bathroom). I sat through a lot of dialogue that I could not comprehend because I don't speak Spanish. I am told that this is only a small part of what a missionary experiences.

I discovered that missionaries miss their families and their home country (regardless of how long they've been on the field). I found out that missionaries aren't perfect. They have problems. They experience failure. They are just like us. I learned that missionaries need serious, relevant, practical training if they are going to survive on the mission field. Because they are the recipients of greater spiritual onslaught, they are in need of the best preparation the church can provide them. They need consistent fervent prayer and communication from the homefront.

I stayed with Missionary Austin Gardner during the month of April. He has a fruitful ministry which speaks of the Lord's blessing and many years of faithful labor. But Bro. Gardner is not satisfied - he has a growing passion to reach the entire world with the Gospel. I commend this missionary, team, and ministry as a model worthy of emulation. By the way, if you go for a visit, make sure you get your rest BEFORE you get there.

1) Avoid taking a long, hard look at the "fields" (John 4:35). 2) Establish a socially acceptable, secular goal for your life and always strive for more material possessions. 3) Never expose yourself to personal contact with missionaries. Often, their testimonies are disturbing and convicting. 4) Refuse to embrace a theology that teaches that God has a specific plan for your life in His great purpose. 5) Make a habit making sure all your activities are beneficial to you personally - avoid doing things for others. 6) When others offend you, make considerable effort to nurse a grudge and become embittered against them. People with a chip on their shoulder rarely have time for the needs of others. 7) Be reasonable about missions. After all, with over six billion people in the world, what difference would it make for you to invest your life in it? 8) Have respect for the closed-door policies of other nations and don't seek any religious activities that would be unwelcome by godless peoples. 9) Understand that there is so much to do locally where you are that seeking to help people in other countries would be insane. 10) Always keep in mind your past failures. It is unreasonable to expect that you will ever get any better. Ignore the biblical examples of men like Simon Peter and Moses. 11) Don't read any books that emphasize the ability and power of the Holy Spirit to enable a person to accomplish what Christ has commanded. 12) Remember, you aren't the preacher type. Only preachers work toward evangelizing the world.

Finally, if you are getting a little concerned about missions and God's heart for all the world: 13) Go to the field right away without any training at all; you'll be back soon and can say you tried. 14) Insist that you must find a slot that is exactly tailored to your qualifications (that way you'll never find an opening). 15) Start worrying about money and the impossibility of surviving in a country with an annual one hundred percent inflation rate (The Lord couldn't possible cope with that!). 16) Listen to those who feel you are indispensable where you are, and that your church can't do without you. 17) Never sing the hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers." Always substitute with the version: "Mark time Christian heroes, Never go to war. Stop and mind the babies, playing on the floor. Wash and dress and feed them, Forty times a week. Till they're roly poly, Puddings so to speak" (C.T. Studd).

It boasts a youthful and energetic missionary line-up that is guaranteed to motivate for mission.

Young people will be introduced to the concept of using whatever talents and skills they have in the God- glorifying task of world evangelism.

The conference is being hosted by Pastor Roger Green and Grace Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio.

BSWE is determined to teach from the understanding that "without Him we can do nothing." Part of that commitment is the "Bible Praying" class which will be taught July 5-16. It is more than notes. For notes cannot infuse you with a passion for Christ that will change the world. It is more than lecture. For lecture alone cannot make you hunger like there's no tomorrow. This class is taught with hot tears and groans. This class involves praying every class. This class involves an all-night prayer meeting where heaven touches earth, and the eyes of Christians are opened to such things as they have never seen. This class involves watching God answer specific requests that range from small things to "mountains" which only He can move. Are you hungry for more?

Are you tired of hearing people sing, "Victory in Jesus" knowing that they could be rightfully sued for false advertising? There is more if you are thirsty! Come and learn "how to drink" at our two-week prayer module. Sign-up soon and see what others have discovered through this life-changing course on white- hot prayer.

Military people are some of the best people in the world. They are easy to talk to because they are familiar with traveling to new places and meeting all different kinds of people. Many of them have acquired the skills of making friends quickly and settling into unfamiliar environments with flexibility. They know how to take orders, work as a member of a team, follow instructions, and strive hard toward mission accomplishment.

Tom Lancaster is the pastor of an American military church in Mannheim, Germany. He was saved during his service in the United States Marines and is passionate about the resource of military personnel in missions. He will be the opening-week preacher for the fall semester at Biblical School of World Evangelism (Aug 18-20).

Brother Lancaster's website... »

"Interpersonal Relationships in Cross-cultural Settings" (MI 308) is a two semester-hour course taught in the modular format from Monday, Sept 27th through Friday, Oct 1st at Biblical School of World Evangelism.

The course will be taught by Missionary Mickey Johnson, a thirty-four year veteran of missionary work in Europe. Brother Johnson is the European Representative with Baptist Missions to Forgotten Peoples, Inc.