Traveler’s follow up
Student Issues
DEBT – Many students are severely limiting their options of involvement as World Christians because of school debt. On average, graduates owe an excess of $30,000, many far more than that. Generally, the best counsel is to minimize or eliminate debt as soon as possible. This may influence how strongly a summer mission opportunity is encouraged. Ask them how much debt they have and what the monthly payment is going to be… many students have no idea but need to think through this!
SUPPORT - The fear of raising support is a serious hindrance in many Christians' pursuit of a missions career. A need for greater Lordship of Christ, manifested by independence from or lack of trust in God, is often the real issue. It is also helpful to share the success testimony of someone who did it. Your own story could be powerful!
THE MISSIONARY CALL - A strong emphasis on “being called into missions” is often a misunderstanding that diverts otherwise qualified people from pursuing a strategic role in world evangelization. Because they don't “feel called,” they assume God doesn’t want them to become missionaries. The Scriptural mandate is for the whole church; missions is not just for the “specially called” few.
AVAILABILITY - Some students will not consider missions involvement because they have already made their plans. For example, their “education” or their “gifts” don't seem appropriate to them for missions. They must choose whom they are serving. Lordship is the issue. Where does God want them?
SHORT-TERM MISSIONS - Objectively counseling someone about short-term missions can be tricky. The typical strategy is to push short-term on everyone, yet for some (maybe many), the financial investment required to go on a short-term may not be worth the experience. However, a cross-cultural experience in their own community or overseas is extremely valuable for opening their eyes to the world and their potential role in it.
GOING ON CAMPUS STAFF - Some of the sharpest students are planning to go on staff with the organization that has given them spiritual input. Be cautious about discouraging them! Campus staff workers are in strategic ministries; encourage them toward a ministry that will give many opportunities for multiplying their world vision.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MINISTRY - There are really two issues to be dealt with here. The first is the obvious opportunity that most students have right on their campuses to reach the world. Also, working with international students can be excellent missionary preparation. Be cautious about undermining the ministry of a campus worker. Suggest that they first approach their staff workers about beginning a ministry like this.
CHURCH INVOLVEMENT - Many students are neglecting a very important element of their Christian experience—especially important for those who are seriously pursuing missions' involvement: participation in a local church. They must be made aware of their need for the church and the church's need for them.
LOSTNESS OF THE LOST - “Will our loving God condemn people to hell?” God, being perfect, must be righteous and just as well as loving. You will be amazed at how many Christians think that if someone has not heard the gospel, they receive instant access to Heaven.
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD - “God will make sure the unreached hear the gospel when the time is right.” The time is right now. The time has been right. Let's get on with it!
PARENTAL AUTHORITY - “Honor your father and mother” must be looked at as well as “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” How do we fulfill the command to honor our parents when their wishes contradict God’s? Is there an age when one is released from his parent's authority? Often good communication with parents needs to take place. Encourage students to include parents in what they arethinking and doing.
SINGLENESS - Singles who are World Christians often struggle with being content to remain single. This struggle may be more legitimate for those intending to be missionaries than for other Christians. Nevertheless, singles must trust God with this. Focusing on Christ and on today rather than the future will be helpful.
MISSIONARY FAMILY - Families are God's idea. He may want us to take our families into unusual circumstances, but He will not abandon us. In fact, there is no better place for our families than in God's will. There are many benefits for your children to grow up in another culture (bilingual, safer, more relatable, and more mature).
MARRIAGE - World Christians are regularly marrying non-missions minded people. This is probably the most unfortunate way for them to eliminate their strategic involvement in the Great Commission. It's helpful to remember the “Master, Mission, Mate” life priority structure.
Student Excuses Training Exercises
FAMILY
· Student Excuse: My family would disapprove.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I have a close-knit family and the expectation of me going back and getting a job close to them is sort of a non-negotiable. They would never be okay with me going. It seems like that settles it.
· Our Response: Have you prayed for your parents in this area?
SINGLENESS
· Student Excuse: I don’t want to die single.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I want to go to the mission field someday, but I would think I need to get married first. If I go now, I am basically saying I want to be single for the rest of my life.
· Our Response: Why do you place such a high value on marriage?
STUDENT DEBT
· Student Excuse: I have debt.
· Excuse as We Hear it: You all talk about going somewhere right after I graduate. That is not an option for me. I must pay off my $40K in student loans. Maybe after that, I will reconsider.
· Our Response: Is this the only thing holding you back?
CALLING
· Student Excuse: I’m not called.
Excuse as We Hear it: Honestly, I have really respected those who chose to go to the mission field. I have asked God and told him I am willing but have never felt called to go.
· Our Response: What would a call look like to you if it came?
SUPPORT
· Student Excuse: I don’t want to raise support.
· Excuse as We Hear it: Some of my friends have gone overseas and I have wondered how they do it. I think they ask people for money. That is not me. I could see myself getting a job overseas someday, but I would not ask people for money. That would be really uncomfortable.
· Our Response: Do you know anyone who raises support?
SPIRITUAL READINESS
· Student Excuse: I am not spiritually ready to go.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I have only been a Christian since I got to college. People who are missionaries really know the Bible backward and forward. That is for sure not me. Don't you have to get more specialized training to do that kind of work?
· Our Response: How would you get ready?
THE NEEDS HERE
· Student Excuse: There are tons of needs here.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I understand the need to go overseas, but I can't help to see the needs here. My heart breaks for those here who think Christians are a bunch of hypocrites. I just heard a statistic that less than 20% of Americans attend church today. I think we must start here before we go there.
· Our Response: What are some things you are doing to meet needs here?
LANGUAGE
· Student Excuse: I could never learn a language.
· Excuse as We Hear it: In high school, I hated Spanish. It almost cost me getting into the college I wanted. It was by far my hardest class. You all talk about going to another country to share about Jesus. All I think is “I could never learn that language.”
· Our Response: How different would it be to learn it in a cross-cultural context?
DATING A “GREAT PERSON”
· Student Excuse: I am in a relationship with a great person.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I have been dating this girl for about a year. She is incredible. I love her family, and I can see us getting married next year. She goes to church with me, but I guarantee she will never go overseas. That is way out of her comfort zone.
· Our Response: Are the two of you pursuing the Lord at the same pace?
DATING A “CHRISTIAN”
· Student Excuse: I am in a relationship with a Christian.
· Excuse as We Hear it: In the past, I have dated mostly losers. Six months ago, I started dating this amazing guy. I know he is a Christian. We have talked about it a little and he is even supportive of me being involved. I would love to maybe go overseas short-term, but I really want to wait to see where this relationship goes.
· Our Response: Are they encouraging you or holding you back?
DATING A “SOLID CHRISTIAN”
· Student Excuse: I am in a relationship with a solid Christian.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I have been dating this guy for 2 years. He is a solid Christian. He is open to God to send him wherever, but it has been clear he is going to stay and do a church internship. I can’t see myself with anyone else.
· Our Response: Would you say they have world vision?
PARENTS
· Student Excuse: My parents’ expectations.
· Excuse as We Hear it: Mission work sounds incredible. However, my parents have basically paid for my college. They are so incredible. Considering that, I need to follow through on what I told them I would do after college.
· Our Response: Where are your parents spiritually?
PHYSICAL COMFORTS
· Student Excuse: I am accustomed to comforts.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I hear stories from people of what it is like living over there. I am just too familiar with comforts here. I would never be able to live as a missionary. Those people are too hard-core.
· Our Response: Would you be willing to try to give some of those comforts up for a summer?
LOSTNESS
· Student Excuse: I don't think they are lost.
· Excuse as We Hear it: I understand the 10-40 Window is full of other world religions. You made it sound like that is a bad thing. It seems like all people who seek God would be a good thing. I don't need to critique how they do it just because it is not the way I would.
· Our Response: Can I send you some resources that helped me with this issue?
ONLY CHILD
· Student Excuse: I am the only child
· Excuse as We Hear it: I would go overseas but I am the only child. Who would take care of my parents?
· Our Response: Would you be open to us praying about it?
Possible Follow Up Scenarios Exercise
· Kyle is a sophomore in college, and he is $6,000 in debt already. He found out that tuition will go up 10% next year! He wants to go on a short-term mission trip. What should he do?
· Jenna is actively involved in a campus fellowship at her college. On Sundays, she goes to a church nearby but doesn’t really know anyone and isn’t really trying to get involved at this church. She does not see the need to get involved and wants your advice.
· Andy feels some inclination to get involved in missions but is hesitant about raising support. How do you encourage him in this area?
· Melissa has gone on a couple of short-term trips. She is thinking of going overseas long-term, but she is torn between making a definite commitment to go, and the life she might have if she marries her serious boyfriend. He doesn’t share the same vision. What is your advice?
· Dan is a senior this year and his degree will be in agriculture. He’s not sure about missions, but he wants to make use of his training in agriculture. Can he do both? Who do you link him up with?
· Katie says that missions is not for her because she’s never heard God calling her into missions. As she asks about your calling, what do you say?
· John comes from an unsaved family who isn’t supportive of his decision as a missionary. Should he go against his parents, or should he obey them and not go? What is your advice?
· Chris wonders if he can’t just work overseas as a “tentmaker” and do ministry and get paid at the same time. Isn’t this the way Paul, did it? What is your perspective?
· Elise can’t go overseas right away because she is paying off school loans. She wonders what she can do in the meantime. How can you help her become a World Christian now?
· Nick was sitting at the table next to you and overheard you talking about spiritual things. He wants to not only interrupt your presentation but tell you, his opinion. What do you do?
· Rachel wants to go short term in the summer, and she feels like she needs to be a long-term missionary. She is 22 years old, not married and has a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old. What is your advice?
· Josh is very interested in being a missionary. He has never been overseas and is graduating in May with an Electrical Engineering degree. His wedding date is June 15th. What should he do?
· Allison heard about the presentation from a friend because she was not able to be there due to her night class. She was told that we would be around and wants information on mission trips. What do you do?
· Anna is a Korean American and spends her summers in South Korea. What should she do this summer and how should she impact her culture?
· Paul is on staff with the campus ministry and has had all his students read through “Revolution in World Missions” by K.P. Yohannon. He thinks that the westerner’s role in missions is to stay home and just send money because it costs too much to send an American. How do you handle it?
· Burt is with you until you get to the 10/40 Window. Then he says that he has heard that people who never hear will probably not be held accountable and they will go to heaven. It wouldn’t be fair of a loving God to do anything but that. What do you say to him?
