by Andy Johnson

Prayer Coordinator and Worker Care Director

We set out this year to pray our way through the life cycle of a cross-cultural worker, beginning with their calling to follow God. A devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria as well as the annual observance of the month of Ramadan for Muslims (rightly) side-tracked that plan. This month, let’s pick that back up by praying over the training of workers.

Cross-cultural service is a uniquely challenging undertaking. Like most things truly worth doing, it requires a great deal of the one privileged to be involved in it. That’s why we put so much effort and attention into the formation of candidates who come to us for training.

At MRN, we recognize that knowledge is not actually the most important part of service; while we obviously look to pass on things they need to know, we pay much more attention to the whole worker rather than just their mind. Our training always begins with abiding, the practice of clinging to the Vine to bear fruit. Truth be told, not many works around the world crumble because someone didn’t know enough; failure usually happens when someone’s walk with Jesus was compromised. Because of that, we always start – and keep coming back – to that place.

We also recognize that training inside a classroom (or Zoom room, as is the case these days) has some value but that we cannot ever fully cover everything workers need to experience before they launch. We like to say that we aim to give candidates ‘buckets’ to put things in. We aren’t filling those buckets, mind you; life on the field, processed with coaches, teammates, and mentors, does that. Our hope is that workers can head off to the field with buckets for things like principles of disciple making, cross-cultural learning, language learning, team life, etc.

This month, please pray for candidates for service that:

·      They would draw closer to the Father, hear His voice, and learn what it means to abide in Him.

·      They would develop the skills necessary to communicate with churches, teammates, and new friends.

·      They would develop humble spirits to be and go as learners.

·      They would be given the gift to be a part of how God begins movement in their places of service.

Thank you for praying, friend. Your prayers matter; they can be a part of the successful training and launch of new workers.

Peace.

Andy

Are you interested in sharing Jesus with unreached people of the world? Or do you know someone who you think God is calling?

We can help!

Email startthejourney@mrnet.org to talk about it.