Adapted from the Texas Partnerships Volunteer Manual
Most mission teams like to return home with glowing reports of large numbers of decisions that were made during their mission project. Indeed we all like to hear of about those kind of results, and of course, there’s nothing wrong with that desire. However, a lack of understanding of the overall goals of evangelism can cause a sense of failure among teams that don’t have large results, or in some instances cause teams to even hamper the local ministry if trips are validated solely by the number of converts reported. For that reason, let’s look at the three basic evangelism goals for mission projects which together produce the most effective overall impact on a given area.
Goal 1: Lead individuals to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
Seeing individuals come to know the Lord is always the chief objective, however, there are certain limitations (time or perhaps cultural nuances) that will frustrate you if this becomes your solitary goal. For example, the average American adult requires repeated exposure to the Gospel before conversion is accomplished. Likewise, world cultures present many different scenarios of the process one might go through before accepting the Lord. Therefore, you may not see large numbers of conversions while you are on the field. Dissatisfaction with that can sometimes lead volunteer teams to push for “decisions” to which obliging nationals in “people pleasing cultures” may “tell them what they want to hear” when in reality no true commitment to Christ has been made.
Goal 2: Assist and encourage the national Christians.
Let’s say you go to a country and lead fifty people to sincerely come to Christ. That’s great! But what if instead you trained ten nationals how to do personal witnessing, and due to their natural affinity with the people, these ten won ten each over the next year. Which was most effective? That’s kind of hard to judge, but if you simply look at the numbers, the latter makes a more effective and lasting impact on the mission field. So, one of the greatest contributions you can make is to be a part of the process of broadening the ministry of the local believers. Through your positive attitudes, your flexibility, and interest in their world, you will break the ice and incite expectancy among them.
Goal 3: To plant the seed of enthusiasm, cooperation, and partnership for generations to come.
Your involvement can make a large impact in the area of ministries for years to come! Think about that (kind of the plant an apple seed, instead of picking apples idea)! You will follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before and as a result reap some of what they have sown. On the other hand, if you do no sowing, what will be there for those who follow you? In other words, don’t just look at your project as a week-long mission trip, get a vision of what God can do in the area for years to come as a result of your efforts!
