Volunteers: A Vital Force in Church Planting Movements                      

                                                                                                                                            Vol. XV, No. 1, January 2002

[Note: The author of this article is a missionary in a country hostile to Christianity. His name cannot be released in order to protect his personal security and especially that of the followers of Jesus in that country. As you read the article, ask yourself whether the Lord is calling you to volunteer missions, either in North America or abroad. TCP]

As one of your International Mission Board workers in the Middle East where International Mission Board personnel are few and far between, I am coming to rely more heavily on volunteers in order to see a locally led Church Planting Movement (cpm) get underway! Our top strategy is prayer, so prayerwalking teams are an absolute must in the ongoing development of our strategy plan. Teams of two to ten intercessors come on site to pray with insight as God leads us to different towns, villages, and camps where most people have never met a genuine born again follower of Jesus. God has always been faithful to lead us to people who are seeking Him, giving volunteers the opportunity to share their faith and life experiences with lost people. As I take national believers back to these areas we're able to see the seeds of cell groups and house churches emerge.

Computers and computer training are another area where our people group can be reached with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. These volunteer teams will work with me as we meet computer needs while really seeking out those who are seeking Jesus. A lot of 'undercover' believers can be found this way, and new cell groups can quickly emerge.

Our part of the world has ongoing health needs so health care workers are in constant need. Meeting people at a point of physical need often opens the door to meeting their deep, inner spiritual needs. Families usually come together to receive treatment making it easier to be invited to the home of the 'man of peace' (Luke 10) who will lead his community to know the truth of Jesus.

We're discovering that people respond well to sports teams, so we've been developing various ways for athletes to join God at work among our people. Basketball, tennis, and soccer are the big sports where we live, and we can use other sports ideas as well.

While volunteers go in many forms and under many requests, their heart-felt reason for going is so that others may hear how Jesus changed their lives and how he can change the life of the one who hears. Volunteers make a difference in the lives of lost people and are vital to seeing locally led church planting movements develop.

For more information, email VIMD@imb.org or call 1+888-422-6461