GO prepared is a monthly newsletter designed to motivate and equip aspiring missionaries to keep moving forward on their journey into full-time, cross-cultural ministry. We’ll connect you with the best mission resources available and help you navigate potential pitfalls that could derail your path to the nations. We not only want to see you go, we want to see that you GO well prepared.

The Art of Shema Statements

One of the hardest parts about launching a disciple-making life is getting from “Hello” to a spiritual conversation. As we develop relationships, we want to tell them about Jesus, but it is easy to feel timid or afraid.  So how do we get to the gospel?  One way is through Shema statements. Shema is the Aramaic word for “Listen.” It’s the opening word in Deuteronomy 4, “Hear oh Israel…”

Shema statements serve several purposes.  First, it identifies me as a follower of Jesus.  I want people to know that I am a person who loves to talk about God and about Jesus.  I want them to know that I am someone that they can come to when they have questions or needs.  When God gives them a dream or a vision, when they begin to have questions and want to learn more, I want them to know that I am a person they can talk to about their spiritual questions. 

Second,  Shema statements can serve as a springboard to deeper conversations.  As I watch how they respond, I try to sense their attitude to the gospel.  Are they soft soil or hard?  Do they respond in a way that opens the door for continued conversation?

Of the almost 7,000 language groups that exist in the world today, around 3,700 have little or no access to the Bible. How is culture and history passed down in these communities?

Through oral storytelling.

Over two-thirds of the world’s population are oral communicators.

When someone hears the phrase “oral communicator”, they often equate it with “illiterate” or “uneducated”. In some cases that’s true; many people groups around the world have incredibly low literacy rates, low education, and some don’t even have a written language. But being an oral communicator goes deeper than that; it affects the way people perceive the world and interact with information.

Bottom line: if you hand an oral communicator a Bible written in their heart language, they won’t learn from it. In order to reach these people, we need a way to bring them God’s Word, not only in their heart language, but also in a form of communication from which they will naturally and readily learn. 

Insta Goodness

Help! I don’t feel as “called” as my spouse

Hey. Every situation is different, I know. But I’ve talked to a few of you.

I’ve seen the look on your face—not just the usual culture shock or pre-departure if-this-country-doesn’t-kill-me-packing-for-it-might expression. There’s a nearly imperceptible tightness in your smile.

Because you signed up for this. But at the same time, didn’t.

You signed up to follow Jesus, your name on the dotted line beneath the Great Commission. And the ring on your finger keeps reminding you of unending constancy; faithfulness.

(But did that mean my spouse’s dreams? You wonder every now and then.)

GFM's Missionary Training School (MTS) is a five-month intensive program designed to prepare individuals with the head knowledge, personal character, and hands-on experience to make them effective in cross-cultural ministry overseas or stateside.

King of Glory

Be reminded of who King Jesus is, take time to LOOK in his face, REFLECT on his power and love and DECLARE His truth over your life and circumstances.

You’ll want crank up the volume, hit repeat and put on your dancing shoes for this one!

There is a KING OF GLORY, there is a God who saves, one who is strong and mighty, freedom is in his name.

There is a lion roaring, JESUS the King of Glory!

THE NATIONS BOW, mountains shake at the sound of just one name, overall, Jesus reigns.

Video Prayers for Muslims

God is moving.

More Muslims have turned to Jesus in the past 15 years than in the previous 1400 combined.

But our hearts are still heavy because 1.8 billion Muslims are still living without a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ramadan is a special month on the Muslim calendar. This year it coincides with April 12 – May 12. During this month Muslims around the world intentionally seek Allah through prayer and fasting.
 

These days present incredible and unique opportunities for Muslim’s to encounter their Savior, Jesus.

Join history’s most incredible Movement of God among Muslims by praying for them with insight during Ramadan.

Your Ticket to the Nations: Digital Media

Clyde Taber of the Visual Story Network helps us understand how digital media strategies can be used to share the gospel and make disciples of Jesus. As the world spends more and more time on media, Clyde highlights opportunities for the missions community to use media strategies to reach more people and share the timeless message of Jesus.