Small Group Missions
A New Approach to Missions Whose Time Has Come!
Building Lasting Fruit Through Family Relationships
Most people, both Christians and non-Christians, have long acknowledged that things learned and experienced through relationships last far longer than any other method. The largest, most successful churches in America have long since become churches of small groups, rather than churches with small groups. From youth groups, Bible studies, Sunday School classes (Now known as Sunday Fellowship Groups), etc. to the exploding number of intimate, neighborhood small groups, everyone knows to grow you must have stronger personal relationships.
Individuals need to know they are loved and then be held accountable for their growth.
While we have seen this in most churches, youth groups, Bible study groups, etc., we seemed to have failed to see its use for missions. Of course, different groups “adopt a missionary” for prayer and financial support and that is critical. But Matthew 28:19 tells us to “go” not just send! Of course, many practical considerations keep most believers from actually going, like language, home responsibilities, finances, etc. However, most people who have even been part of a “short term mission trip” come back with a new heart for people in other parts of the world.
Given their good fortune to have been on many such mission trips, the Blair’s are saying WHY NOT BELIZE?? Here is a third world country that speaks English, that has tremendous spiritual needs. Of course, there are some great Christian missionaries here and Belize could use hundreds more but the problem appears that the Belizean people have often heard the gospel and even “been saved” but they have never been challenged to grow deeper and mature in their faith. (Certainly not a problem limited to Belize) In the village next door voodoo is practiced and almost all, even Christian Belizeans know nothing of Biblical marriages and in fact don’t get married. One of their biggest problems is babies having babies. As one pastor put it the Biblical knowledge here is 1/4 inch deep and a hundred miles wide.
The question is how to get depth into the Christian missions in Belize. One idea is a new SMALL GROUP APPROACH TO MISSIONS. Why not expand the short term missions trip idea to include family directly to other families, mission trips. Most Christian families do go on yearly vacations, why not make it a meaningful Christian missions trip. Our idea would be to come to the resort planning on fishing, diving, touring or any of the other tons of fun things to do, but consider having a hand picked Christian Belizean family join your family. Exchange practical application of how Christian principles and truths have helped the different aged people in your family. Share problems, success, questions, pray needs…in other words establish relationships. It might pleasantly surprise both families that the same God is actively working in both places and teach significant truths to both parties. Then keep in touch after the vacation and maybe get together again next year or somewhere down the road when God permits. Build fruit in each other’s family that really has a chance to remain. The family is God’s greatest “small group” why not make them a missionary ministering group. Please let us know your thoughts! Better yet…come on down and share them with us!!!
