Since we’ve been thinking about global youth ministry, you might be looking for more information on world missions. If that’s the case, then The World Missions Atlas Project, over at Worldmap.org, is a great resource for you.
The site contains different types of information, including maps, data sets, and descriptions of various countries and regions of the world. There are maps of various regions linked to the missions data that is known for that region or country.
You can download PDF files, maps, and data to share what is happening in the world of missions.
I haven’t had enough time to fully explore the entire site because there is so much on it, but if you’re looking for free maps for missions, the World Missions Atlas Project is definitely the place for you to begin your search.
Today is the first day of classes at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary. The Center for Youth Ministry has the largest incoming freshman class that we’ve had in the five years of our existence. There are (at least) five new youth ministry students entering this year out of a freshman class of 13.
I’m excited because we really worked hard the last year to promote the youth ministry training program at various events throughout the country. Our students are spreading the word about one of the only bachelor’s degree programs for youth ministry in Latin America (link to Spanish website).
Below you’ll find the list of names of the freshmen youth ministry students. Please pray for them by name.
2008 Youth Ministry Freshmen Class
- Victoria Castro Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
- Gerson Hernandez Vázquez from Teziutlan, Puebla
- Josue Misael Lara Vázquez from Monterrey
- Kareni Sadai Méndez Galván from Monterrey
- Débora Osobampo Martinez from Sinaloa
Also be praying for the other youth ministry students who are beginning classes this week at the seminary. I’ll post more about each of them in the future. It’s going to be a great year of ministry.
Series: Global Youth Ministry
This post is part of a series on Global Youth Ministry. Be sure to check out part 1 – Why Global Youth Ministry is Important and part 2 – What’s a Global Youth Worker?
Some say that apart from church planting efforts, Global youth ministry training should be the top priority in global missions. I believe it’s a ministry that every youth worker should personally be involved in.
Obviously, I believe strongly in the mission statement of Youth Ministry International, which is “To train national youth workers for existing local churches within the people groups of the world.”
Every youth worker in the United States should be involved somehow in the training of youth workers internationally. Here are some benefits of being a global youth worker:
Five Benefits of Being a Global Youth Worker
- Personal obedience – everyone should be involved in world missions because God has commanded us to make disciples of all nations. Your participation in global youth ministry will strengthen your personal relationship with God.
- An example for your students. If you expect your young people to have a heart for missions, they need to see that you have a heart for missions. Being a global youth worker will allow them to see your burden for the nations.
- An example for your church. I always hope that my youth ministry can be an example to the church. If I am interested and involved in global missions, my students will be an example for the church through their support for global missions.
- Fulfillment using your gifts in global ministry. You may not believe me when I say this, but you have something to offer. You can pray more specifically by getting to know other youth workers overseas. You can come for a week. You can mentor long-distance. You could even go long term to train others. There are too many opportunities, and there are many different ways you can use your gifts.
- You can use your experience. Someone once told me that everything that happens to us is just part of the training for what God has for us in the future. You have experience and training that others do not, and this experience and training that you have had in your life should be put to use in the training of others.
If you’re interested in training youth workers internationally, please leave me a comment or contact me. Youth Ministry International is constantly looking for international trainers, and I’d love to talk to you more about the opportunities there are all over the world.
Stuff Christians Like wrote a great little list about The Mission Trip Airport Layover.
Anyone who’s ever gone on a trip with a group of young people and had to stay in the airport will enjoy the list.
My favorites from their list:
- The boyfriend and girlfriend couple will break up…
- …and get back together.
- One kid will be the “where’s Billy?” kid. A phrase that is fun to yell from the aisle of a plane that is about to close its door and take off.
- Someone will use their entire spending money on batteries at the airport, which cost $47.
Some I would add (not nearly as funny):
- Some kid will get tackled by security because he says the word “gun” in the security line.
- One student will constantly ask the adult volunteers to hold his gigantic sombrero that he just had to buy at the market.
- The entire group parks themselves in the busiest place and unknowingly blocks everyone else from getting by.
- One of the kids falls asleep waiting to board the plane and doesn’t get on in time.
Anyway, go check out the post on Stuff Christians Like.
There are some pretty good ones in the comments, too.
“Prayer is the language of a man burdened with a sense of need.” – E.M. Bounds
We need prayer in our ministries. It should be a priority for us. But, it’s easy to get burdened with the hassles of “work” and not pray like we should for our students and volunteers.
Shane at Nailscars.com has the great idea of making Youth Group Prayer Cards to help him pray for students.
How do you pray for your students, their families, and the volunteers who work with you?
