Engaging Missions

After returning from a short-term missions trip, Laura Beth Harbin was ready to settle back into "normal" life but God had different plans. Find out what God showed her in a 9 month world mission trip.

http://j.mp/emrs013

Denise and Oswaldo Piñeiros are missionaries to the over 200,000 orphans in Ecuador. They provide resources to orphanages. They also provide support and pastoral care for adoptive families and advocacy with the government.

I connected with them through Autumn Kerr of Visiting Orphans, who we heard from in Episode 3. I'm really thankful for this connection.

As we talked, Denise shared how God called them to this ministry. They've walked through some challenges. Now they are working on some things that should really set them up to minister more freely.

As Denise shared her heart, she also shared how she and Oswaldo are trying to focus on the often-forgotten part of that verse. As they've started caring for orphans, it's shaped how they approach ministry in and to orphanages.

Often missionaries leave family and friends behind. When they do, they can miss out on significant life events. Last year Denise had one of those experiences but God did something special that gave her an overwhelming sense of His affection for her.

As Denise and Oswaldo were just learning about orphan care, God began to birth a desire to see the kind of ministry that they now have. Still, they were uncertain whether they were supposed to be the ones to do it.

One day, Denise had a “mirror” experience that sealed the deal in her heart”

[bctt tweet="I said, 'God, you have to raise up someone to do this.' Then I knew that person was looking back at me in the mirror." username="engagingmission"]

Through Visiting Orphans, they have seen volunteers coming down for longer assignments, sometimes up to six months. And they are working on changing the legal status of their ministry in ways that will open more doors.

Denise reminded us that being a missionary can be lonely sometimes. Often the best thing we can do to “level up” our support of a missionary is just to be a friend. Send that letter. Make that call. Connect via Skype. Focus on being fully active in their lives and building a long-term relationship.

[bctt tweet="Be fully active in their life." username="engagingmission"]

Denise wishes she would have known how long things can take to accomplish.

[bctt tweet="H.A.L.T. Never make a decision when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired." via="no"]

[bctt tweet="Be loyal, connected, and committed." via="no"]

Denise has built some key relationships that allow her to learn from those who are more experienced.

Denise gave us three:

• Constant Contact
• Donor Tools
• Messenger Fellowship

Love Does by Bob Goff

• Audible – available free for trying their service
• Amazon
• iTunes

[bctt tweet="Walk the streets and pray." via="no"]

[bctt tweet="Always jump when God says, 'jump.' Never take an opportunity He gives you and waste it." via="no"]

[email protected]

• Book: Love Does by Bob Goff: Audible, Amazon, iTunes
• Resources:Constant Contact, Donor Tools, Messenger Fellowship
• Contact: [email protected]
• Ratings: Pinterest, Engaging Missions Website
• Feedback: [email protected]

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This week we're talking with Amber Barron, the founder of Freedom's Promise. Hear her heart and the focus of Freedom's Promise is to prevent human trafficking by partnering with indigenous groups in Cambodia. Through a variety of individualized programs that include elements such as education, resource availability, and the creation of “Safe Zones.”

As you listen, you'll discover how reading a single article started Amber in a direction she'd never considered. You'll also learn how her husband helps bring balance and how the board of Freedom's Promise stepped up, saved her from burnout, and breathed new life into the organization.

[bctt tweet="There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root." via="no"]

Amber shares with us the challenge that many non-profits and their founders face after just a few years of operation. Thankfully, her board stepped in and the organization has new life. And, as a result of their efforts, Amber is able to focus more on what she's really good at.

Amber shares the story of how reading an article started her in a new direction. It was one of only a couple times in her life when God made His plans so clear to hear.

Amber is really excited about recent additions to the board of Freedom's Promise. It's clear that God is really building up the board to be able to shepherd Freedom's Promise into its next phase. They took several years to work on due diligence, then to get projects up and running. Now they're moving into a phase of refining.

One of the things that plays into that refining phase is to focus on metrics. They know that they must measure what they're doing in order to know if it's making a difference and also to share wins with their donors.

One of the biggest ways people can help a ministry such as Freedom's Promise is to help them network. To share what they're doing with people we know as well as to help connect people who want to help with them.

Freedom's Promise provides opportunities for people who like to work on clean water projects, education, trafficking prevention, and more. Because they're striking at the root of the problem, there's a place for anyone who wants to help improve the situation, regardless of the kinds of projects they prefer.

[bctt tweet="Learn how to lead in the small things."]

[bctt tweet="Look a man in the eye, shake his hand, and mean what you say." via="no"]

The sabbatical that Amber's board offered her really helped Freedom's Promise and helped her to be able to continue, avoiding burnout.

For Amber, it's not so much a habit as maintaining the mindset that Freedom's Promise was never hers. It has always belonged to God.

• Bible Gateway
• One other thing that's not really an internet resource has really helped her: a white board.

Anything by Bodie and Brock Thoene.

• Amazon.com
• Audible.com (free just for trying their service)
• iTunes.com

Amber has been running so hard, if she found herself in a new and unfamiliar place, she would take advantage of the opportunity to rest.

[bctt tweet="Don't be afraid to follow God; He will take care of you." via="no"]

Freedom's Promise

• Book: Amazon.com, Audible.com, iTunes.com
• Resource: BibleGateway.com
• Contact: Freedom's Promise
• Ratings on Pinterest
• Ratings on Engaging Missions

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This week we're talking Rich Frazer, the president of Spiritual Overseers Service, International. Over the years, SOS International has provided training to thousands of leaders in 87 countries through more than 800 training assignments.

Their specific ministry style is to serve organizations who ask them to come and provide specific training for church leaders. They search for and send the most qualified people they can find to invest deeply in the local church, wherever they go. And while they are there, they serve the vision and agenda of the organization that invited them.

Rich has been providing this kind of training for indigenous leaders around the world for over 20 years and has seen the exponential value of investing in the global church in this way.

I'd also like to give our mutual friend, Mike Priebe of MemoryPeel a hat tip for connecting us.

• 1 Timothy 2:3-5
• Matthew 9:36-38
• Ephesians 4:11-12
• 2 Timothy 2:2

[bctt tweet=“Why not teach a man to TEACH a man to fish?”]

Rich points out that more than 100,000 people receive Christ every day and that more than 2,000 churches are planted every week. However, 90% of the pastors, whether volunteer, full-time, or bivocational, have little to no training. The challenge SOS International has is getting to those leaders to help them know how to study Scripture, show them what Christian leadership is all about, and to invite them to adopt a Christ-like model.

Rich shares the surprising story of one of his early prayers about whether he should go into missions.

[bctt tweet="Don't ask God if you should go. Ask God if you should stay." via="no"]

Rich shares a little about the people SOS International is sending out over the course of this year to invest in the global church.

Rich encourages us to consider our investments in missions based on the long-term impact of financial and prayerful impact.

[bctt tweet="The greatest among us is a servant. Not a partner or a patronizing visionary leader. A servant." via="no"]

• Be flexible

• Many people encourage Rich

[bctt tweet="Ask the question, 'What can I do for you?'" username="engagingmission"]

• SOS International Website

• Western Christians in Global Mission: What's the Role of the North American Church?
• We also discussed: When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself

• Rich shares who he would go find and what he would offer them to support them.

[bctt tweet="The fruit of a leader is not followers. It's another leader or an 'orchard' of leaders." username="engagingmission"]

SOS International

When we were discussing Rich's book recommendation, he also mentioned this video of Steve Saint ministering at a church. It's definitely worth 5 minutes to see this.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Oja-rnOlIM?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent]

• Book: Western Christians in Global Mission: What's the Role of the North American Church?
• Resource: SOS International Website
• Contact: SOS International Website
• Ratings on Pinterest
• Ratings on Engaging Missions

Check out the Engaging Missions Online Radio Show #podcastCLICK TO TWEET

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Through Project Ignite Light, Pebbles Thompson shines a light in the darkness of severe child abuse. Listen to this week's episode to learn how buying pajamas and taking showers led Pebbles and her husband, Darin, from a comfortable position as youth pastors in a church they loved to a ministry that now helps 2,400 abused children each year. While the numbers are staggering, they believe that even one is too many.

As you listen, you'll find how how their “burning bush” experience led them to child advocacy centers, where they discovered one way they could show the love of God and restore some dignity to children who so desperately needed it. You'll also hear a story of how Pebbles is able to deal with the emotional challenges of this kind of ministry. And, you may even some practical ways that you can be a minister of grace to those around you.

• Ephesians 3, vs 17-21
• Isaiah 43, vs 18-19

During the summers, giving often takes a dip. There was one summer where it was particularly challenging. Learn how God went over and above the minimum financial need and showed Pebbles that his provision is extravagant.

After nearly a year of operation, Pebbles felt overwhelmed and ineffective. But God revealed something that put it in perspective.

Pebbles and her husband dream big and they serve a big God who rules and reigns. There are several things that are really exciting them, including things that are happening on their new property. They are also developing materials that could lead to exponential growth in serving victims of extreme child abuse.

[bctt tweet="There are a lot of good ideas and then there are a lot of God ideas. We want the God ideas." via="no"]

Pebbles shares some insights into the simplicity of ministry that we can apply in ministering to others as well as supporting missionaries and other ministers.

[bctt tweet="Ask that God would open your eyes to the needs of the people around you." via="no"]

[bctt tweet="God’s provision is larger than we think. Just be willing to ask." via="no"]

Build a healthy foundation. You can’t expect a house to stand if it’s not built on a solid foundation.

A mentor asked Pebbles a question that helped her clarify the value of Project Ignite Light and released her from fear in raising funds.

Prayer all day long and journaling.

• Google
• Bible Gateway

Pebbles says that it depends on the kind of place. Find out what would be different if she was in a developing country rather than a “touristy” country.

[bctt tweet="Don’t complicate things. It’s probably easier than you think." username="engagingmission"]

Project Ignite Light

• Book: Leadership Prayers
• Resource: Bible Gateway
• Contact: Project Ignite Light
• Ratings on Pinterest
• Ratings on Engaging Missions

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”