iAsk: Matthew McCloskey- Missionary to Russia & Ukraine

Every Monday I will be posting new interviews with Christian leaders to find in-depth counsel on issues such as ministry, family, careers, politics, finance, and theology. Today's in-depth interview is with Matthew McCloskey missionary to Russia and Ukraine. Let's begin...

Matthew and his wife

Paul: Matt-First, can you tell us who you are, what you do, and what is your greatest passion in life? Our readers will be interested in hearing your story.

Matthew: First off, I just want to thank you, Paul, for being such a great example of a godly minister of the Gospel in our generation. You and your wife and family have been such an encouragement to me personally and I know to so many others as well. You are more of an example than you know.

At this time I actually have a 9-5 job, but I greatly enjoy discipleship and teaching on the Father’s love, identity and the prophetic.  My wife and I love helping people grow in intimacy with the Father and a greater understanding of the depths to which He loves them outrageously.

My wife and I help lead evangelism at the Slavic Missionary Bible School in Jacksonville, FL which is a school which equips Russian speaking people young people in the US to do ministry in Ukraine and Russia, as well as in their home churches. We also lead Bible studies at our house focusing on identity and helping others hear the Father’s voice.

I also have a passion for the Russian speaking world and have spent a great amount of time in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Russia. My wife and I along with a few others are praying about starting a ministry school in Russia in the coming year which will focus on the Father’s heart, prayer and worship, and the prophetic.

Paul: 1.) Matt, let's talk a bit about the prophetic. Many people in the body of Christ have been skeptical concerning prophecies and supernatural manifestations. From your experience and knowledge of prophetic gifting should churches and ministry leaders be more open to training their people to hear God's voice to bring edification to the people via prophecy?

Matthew: For me, the prophetic is simply hearing our Father’s voice. It is living in a place of intimacy with the Father in which we are attentive to what He is saying.

So many churches and Christians relate to Jesus and salvation as some kind of stamp in their spiritual passport which gets them into heaven. Jesus did die so we could have eternal life and we should thank and praise Him for that every single day. But yet He died for so much more – He died to bring us into a deep relationship and conversation with the Father.

While we remain here on this earth, God wants our lives to be one giant conversation with Him. He wants to talk with His children. And those conversations can look so different day to day. Dad can speak to us in pictures when we close our eyes, in verses from the Bible, in a little phrase, in dreams, in visions, in words from friends, in sermons, and in feelings of peace and joy so deep that we know they came from His hand.

He is speaking every day to His children. He speaks to encourage us, to give us vision for our lives, to give us identity and a deep sense of belonging.

And He wants us to become so good at hearing His voice that we can hear Him not only for ourselves, but also for others. He wants us to speak His words of life and power into situations to encourage our friends, family and even strangers. He wants us to hear when He is saying – “go tell that lady that I will help her relationship with her husband.” “Go tell that young guy that I have a plan for His life.” It is not something we turn on and off. It is a place of intimacy with Him that we simply live in.

Slowly, we begin to see people only as the Lord sees them. We call out victory.

Hearing God’s voice is something for every day believers and not simply super believers.

Praying

Paul: 2.) There has been much debate concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit or as others call it receiving their prayer language. How vital is it for growing Christians to hunger the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What happens when Christians are apathetic to the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Matthew: When you truly have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, it is only natural to want more of His Spirit. There are levels of peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience and self-control where the Lord wants to take us, but we have to be willing to go there and we have to be willing to ask for more of His Spirit and presence.

He says “those who seek Him, find Him” and “those who ask, receive.”

And I think there are always greater levels of His presence and power where the Lord wants to take us. There is always more of the Lord to receive. We simply need to begin asking.

I think so many of us are going to get to heaven and look back and just be so sad that we missed out on so much because we did not ask. “Do you mean I could have walked in that much power and authority?” “Do you mean I could have walked through peace in that situation?” “Do you mean I could have felt even more tangible and unspeakable joy in the midst of that problem?” “Do you mean I was that loved by you even when I messed up?”

There is that great balance in our walk between being thankful for where we are and what we have already received, but yet remaining hungry for more. But to paraphrase an advertising slogan: Stay Hungry, my friends.

Paul: 3.) Revivals, great awakenings, spiritual thirst from years past have come by women and men who were thirsty and hungry for holiness, intimacy with God, and the study of the Word of God. Have you seen examples of a generation engulfed in the pursuit of purity and passion for God's Word? What hope can be addressed to those who want more of God in our day and age?

Matthew: What is really exciting is the birth of so many movements in the United States and around the world which are dedicated to holiness, the Word, and intimacy with the Father. Mike Bickle and International House Of Prayer in Kansas City come to mind right away. They have a house of prayer in Kansas City which has been lifting up praise to the Father for almost 15 years now and they have thousands of young people who keep it running day in and day out. They aren’t praying out of a place of obligation or because a pastor told them enough times “PRAY!”. Their prayers come from a deep sensing of the Father’s love for them. They pray from a place of identity as sons and daughters of the Lord and when you are there, God’s presence is so tangible.

You also have Bethel Church and Bill Johnson in California who have a ministry school which focuses on helping equip people to operate in power and authority in the Spirit. Their students regularly go on the streets and prophesy over people and pray for the sick and see them recover. You also have Lou Engel and the Call, Youth With A Mission, Morningstar, and so many other ministry schools which are creating vision for a generation to seek after holiness, intimacy with the Father and a deep, deep love for the Word.

My suggestion to someone seeking to go deeper with the Lord and to grow in intimacy is to first ask the Lord for more. Remember: those who ask, receive. And also begin asking the Lord to bring you into a community of believers who value intimacy with Him. He may show you that you need to go to a ministry school mentioned above. He may bring you into fellowship with another school or group of friends. Just begin to ask and listen.

He will be gentle. He will be understanding. He wants you closer more than you even want to draw closer.

Street Missions

Paul: 4.) What advice can you share for women and men who are called into missionary work? Some go on short-term assignments others stay for long-term projects. What have you learned that you can share for those who are entering the mission field in 2014?

Matthew: When we look at people, we see that each person’s face, fingerprints, eyes – everything - is incredibly unique. Even in nature, snowflakes and leaves are all distinct. In the same way, our spiritual gifting and callings are entirely one of a kind. No two people minister the same way. No two people preach the same. No two people carry the same spiritual gifting basket. And so we should not be surprised if we are called to do something no one has ever done, or if we minister in unique ways which is slightly or entirely different than how other people minister.

Some are called to write books. Some are called to preach. Some are called to witness one on one. Some are called to simply counsel. Some are called to go. Some are called to stay. Find your place in the body and revel in it. When you know your place in the body, you can take even more joy in others success.

I think the safest and best place to distill our calling and place in the body is during times of intimacy with the Father. When you are in those moments of prayer encounter, ask Him how He sees you. Ask Him to show you what ministry you will be doing in the future. Ask Him to show you how it will be, what challenges there will be, and how you can prepare for it even at this time. You can ask for confirmation. He will give it. He understands our frailty more than we know.

And one more thing – write what He says down. When shaking comes, stand on what He has told you and confirmed in those moments.

Paul: 5.) Someone told me once if you are not reading you are not leading. What books other than the Bible have you read that may help others grow in intimacy and pursuit of the Father's heart in their personal walk with the Lord?

Matthew: I find biographies and autobiographies to be so encouraging.  There is something that happens when I read life stories of Christian men and women which renews my mind and sharpens my focus on what a godly life looks like. I can see in their lives things I have gone through or am going through. To paraphrase Revelation 12:11, I feel when I read their testimonies I am strengthened to overcome.

I just got done reading Eric Metaxas’ biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer for the second time which is such a great book to read especially given the times we now live in. I believe our generation, like his, will have to navigate living out our godly principles in a relevant way in a society in which the Zeitgeist is very much against Jesus.  

I also just finished reading Don Richardson’s account of his ministry to the cannibals of Papua New Guinea, Peace Child. I learned so much about the sacrifice which is needed to reach unreached people for the Gospel and also the importance of finding relevant cultural examples to aid in explaining the Gospel.

We should always be reading, because the Lord uses that so much to strengthen our inner man and to focus us on the tasks ahead.

Follow Paul on Twitter: @PaulMuzichuk

9 Practical Ways to Give- Christmas List 2013

Its that time of year! Christmas! The time when you give a gift to the one you love. The time of year we make our annual reviews of what we did. The time of year we plan for the next 12 months to come. The time of year we get together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

As a missionary family I want to share our 2013 Christmas list. It may help you find a practical way to give: 

Prayer at Barnabas Renewal

1.) Pray for Paul & Maria Weekly. We desire for prayer to be the bedrock of all we do. Without prayer all else is in vain. Please commit to praying for Paul and Maria weekly. You can receive weekly prayer requests by sending Paul an email saying you want to pray for them weekly! E-mail: Paul.Muzichuk@gmail.com 

2.) Monthly Support. We are raising our monthly support to be able to do what God has called our family to accomplish. You can give any amount on a monthly basis by CLICKING HERE. Visit our website for more ways to get involved, volunteer, travel with us, and support options at www.servantheartmission.org. 

3.) End of Year Giving. Many business owners, churches, organizations, and individuals take the month of December to give for their annual end of year giving. We would greatly be blessed by any gift amount. As a reminder we are a 501(c)3 faith-based organization with most donations being tax-deductible. CLICK HERE to give a special end of year gift.

4.) Macbook Air Laptop-$999.99. Our laptop of 5 years is not functional anymore. We seek an Apple Macbook Air laptop for use in our ministry and travels. Here is a link to what we we ask and pray for: http://goo.gl/TduYdq

5.) Airfare to Philippines. In 2014, we are planning to visit our brothers and sisters in Bohol, Philippines to follow up on the work we have been doing. We will visit the devastated areas caused by the recent earthquake and typhoon storm. Round-trip airfare will be around $1,650. You can give towards this by CLICKING HERE. 

6.) J.C. Ryle Christmas Book Deal-$99.00. Nine total books for continued study of the Word of God. You can click the link-http://banneroftruth.org/us/store/favourite-author-gift-paks/ryle-deal/, to place an order. Our address can be found here: www.servantheartmission.org/contact-us

7.) Color Laser Printer- $699. Brother® MFC-9970CDW Wireless Color Laser All-In-One Printer. Click here to view description: http://goo.gl/3YTTA7. You can order at any Office Depot store or office supply store. 

8.) Delta Skymiles Gift. If you have additional Delta Skymiles that you want to give away we would be extremely grateful as we fly extensively with Delta. If you desire to give miles please email me at Paul.Muzichuk@gmail.com for all the detailed information. http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/support/faqs/skymiles/gift-miles-faqs.html

9.) Serve as Volunteer. We have many opportunities growing for women and men to help us in 2014. If you would like to join us on a missions trip to the Philippines, help with online community development, administrative support, please email me at Paul.Muzichuk@gmail.com. 

Thank you to all who encourage us, pray for us, and help send us to the mission field! 

 

iAsk: Marco Tant, Missionary to Italy with International Gospel Outreach {PART 2}

Every Monday I will be posting new interviews with Christian leaders to find in-depth counsel on issues such as ministry, family, careers, politics, finance, and theology. Today's in-depth interview is PART 2 with career missionary to Italy, Marco Tant. Marco and I met at a men's discipleship event earlier this year and have been building our personal relationship since then . Marco's sending and covering agency is International Gospel Outreach located in Semmes, Alabama. This interview is TWO parts. The detailed responses from the seven questions I asked Marco will give readers and a real in-depth look inside a missionary's life.

Marco Tant -Missionary to Italy

 Paul: 4. Tell us more about your work in Italy. Often when thinking about beautiful European countries like that, one may wonder if it should really be called "missions". I know the Lord is doing something deep within the Italians and sending them off to plant churches. Share with us the most up to date ministry happening in Italy among the brethren and churches? 
Marco: Wow, another big question! Europe is on its way back in my opinion and not that it is happening fast but rather a deep movement. Europe has so few Christians statistically and foreigners with their own religious beliefs are flooding in by the masses from the Middle East. So much so that America will not be the only "melting pot" as Europe is following right behind it and fast. We have Muslims that are taking over areas as their own with medical services, finding themselves in danger for simply entering to help other injured Muslims. The great part about it all is that we are able to reach the people groups that are too hard and dangerous to reach in their own cultures. Europe needs help and hope that those who are reading this who have not answered the call will do so simply because God has no plan “B” to missions. People cry out to God for their nations and God calls you but if you don’t go than their prayers go unanswered.

Our work is almost everything since the need is so great in Italy and help is scarce (90% drop out rate for missionaries). We purposefully lace everything we do to be indigenous as we empower local believers and churches to believe God and not just the American arm of the church. I could go into a very long and detailed explanation of all the incredible needs and how we fill in those gaps but I will rather hit on just a few. We partner with local churches, the few that be, in a sense of treasure hunting to know where they are and how we can work with them. In a partnership relationship, we are invited into the church to teach and preach, hold leadership conferences, model discipleship, empower evangelism corporately, personally, and work with church leadership in reshaping the church structure to create churches that are not a place where a pastor vents from a pulpit but rather a place where members are built up, encouraged, discipled and empowered to reach others. The overall success in our ministry is that teaching is coupled with providing and encouraging an atmosphere where people encounter the tangible presence of God; otherwise teaching just entertains the brain rather than transforming a life.   

The overall environment is changing in Italy since the internet is increasingly being used to watch what God is doing through people all over the world. Like anything else, some of that has been very good and other experiences have been very very bad. The positive is that new ideas, that are scripturally accurate and Godly, have challenged this once closed society and is beginning to create hunger. I am so grateful being on the ground and helping them wade through the good and the not so good. It is a tool that we use and encourage continuously as Italians are seeing God move mightily in revivals and amongst believers in ways that are scriptural but rather unknown in the Italian context.  There are still many incredible challenges that break our hearts continuously but we have seen small changes over the last seven years that have encouraged both us and our Italians. We are home incinerating right now and purposefully building relationships of which will provide leaders a platform to come to Italy to help provide needed teaching and modeling through conference type meetings which is extremely needed in Italy. Furthermore, we have purchased a home for $13,000 near the Birmingham, Alabama area of which we will use to bring Italians back once a year for training. Missions is an investment and we are encouraged to see how much fruit is being produced the longer we are on the field and harder we work towards revival in Italy.

 Paul: 5. Discouragement is a common tool the enemy uses to diffuse kingdom work among laborers in the Lord's field. Can you give some personal stories of how you encountered discouragement and ways you found to battle it away? 

Marco:  It is true in that discouragement can overcome people in ministry! We have a saying in our house that we "take negatives and create positives.” We purposefully look at life this way to know that any setbacks can be redeemed for the Lord as well as understanding that even though there are things we cannot see, God is doing things behind the scenes in peoples heart that takes time. If I live by the negative than I respond by the negative which often destroys the work of God in peoples lives. People who meet me say all the time how positive I am only because I have seen God move time and time again in situations and in peoples lives without moving into the realm of negativity. Life is a reaping process and I do not leave a field or curse a ground simply because fruit has not manifested in a week or a month.

Another way we keep ourselves encouraged is that we look for what God is doing in the world through moves of God and revivals and feed ourselves from their breakthroughs. We watch services, worship,  listen and share testimonies of great things in the Kingdom because it continually gives us direction and motivation. Otherwise we would simply glare at the overwhelming mountain of things that need to be done in Italy and find our selves dwarfed by them. We live from a place where problems are dwarfed rather than us being dwarfed by problems around us. We share this through messages back here in the States from pulpits where people respond overwhelmingly to hope again. A staple in our lives is a quote by Bill Johnson that simply states “Hope is dreaming with our eyes open” and we allow ourselves to dream insane dreams knowing that it is the only way we can keep up with the God of impossibilities. Thinking and living this way is the only way to really know His will both for our lives and the country we are called to reach.

Marco and Shana Tant

  
Paul: 6. Do you invite teams and individuals to join you on a short-term basis in Italy? What would one be involved in if they decided to come alongside you and serve for a week or more? How can they reach you for more information?

Marco:  Yes, we do invite people to Italy and want believers to come and bless our Italian brothers and sisters. If people were to come they could do a host of different things from evangelistic events, which is heavily needed, to conferences on basic truths. We held a conference with pastors from the U.S. and we had a response that I would have never imagined. There was so much encouragement and simple truth that was explained that it has impacted them still to this day. The best part about it is that people come and and confirm what the missionary is doing and teaching as well as creating a platform for the missionary to walk with the believers through the truth that was given to make it a part of their lives on a daily basis.

If people wanted to reach us about what we do or a short-term trip in the future, they can do so by contacting International Gospel Outreach at 251-645-2117 or contact us directly at 250-386-0855. Our email is tantmissions@hotmail.com and our web address is www.italiarevival.com .

Paul: 7. Marco, the Bible says, "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few..". What encouragement and challenge can you give to someone reading your story and who are contemplating about becoming a full-time missionary or joining the ministry? 

Marco: Can I just be boldly honest here? Paul instructed the church that we are part of one body and when one suffers, all suffer. There is not an Italian body, an African body, and an American body but rather we are all together and we must work together with churches from around the world to strengthen and encourage them in whatever way possible. God has always been global even before being global was popular! 

    The rapture is not God’s plan to rescue a church that has not loved the world well and sought to bring salvation to everyone they come in contact with. I have visited churches here recently and we have people begging God for the rapture to happen so that they are saved from a mortgage of a home that was too large and expensive to begin with not knowing that the rapture will be the worst time the earth has seen. There will be millions perishing and going to hell at a pace more rapidly than any other time in history and yet this same rapture ready group does nothing to evangelize their neighbor. The rapture is not to rescue an irresponsible church but rather His bride that loves the same things and the same people He loves.

    God does not have a plan “B” to see people saved and the same plan “A” is more than capable in that God’s people share God’s message through God’s power to see God’s will be done in someone else. We cannot afford not to be involved in ministry full time or whether we are a workplace missionary that lives Jesus at his work and community every possible minute. The U.S. or any other country is not going to turn around because we beg God to do something and call it prayer but rather it will turn around when God’s people live God’s way and love people again like He loves. Sorry for the soapbox here but I was one of those in the world that worked with Christians and even dated Christian girls that never once loved me enough to share Jesus with me. Sorry for being so honest...

Paul: There are so many hurting people, so many who need healing, so many who need the embrace of God in our world. What parting advice would you share for those hesitating to serve in ministry? 

Marco: Love well! And when you get frustrated and tired love well still. Ministry is just simply loving people and meeting their needs in whatever way possible. Ministry is awesome and taxing all at the same time but it is the ultimate plan God created and is the best and only plan we need to transform the world. Get involved in ministry as soon as you can and not just behind a pulpit or hopping on a plane to go hallway around the world but begin to love your coworkers, family members, and people in your community; that is ministry at it finest! 

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to financially support Marco and their missionary family to Italy please contact International Gospel Outreach at (251) 645-2117.

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iAsk: Marco Tant, Missionary to Italy with International Gospel Outreach {PART 1}

Every Monday I will be posting new interviews with Christian leaders to find in-depth counsel on issues such as ministry, family, careers, politics, finance, and theology. Today's in-depth interview is with career missionary to Italy, Marco Tant. Marco and I met at a men's discipleship event earlier this year and have been building our personal relationship since then . Marco's sending and covering agency is International Gospel Outreach located in Semmes, Alabama. This interview is TWO parts. The detailed responses from the seven questions I asked Marco will give readers and a real indepth look inside a missionary's life. Tomorrow Part TWO will be posted. 

Marco Tant-Missionary to Italy

Paul: 1. Marco-I appreciate you sharing your heart with me and our online community. As a full-time missionary, what are some misconceptions that people place on you and your family? Have you had difficulties confronting people or even churches? 
Marco: First I should warn you that I am a very passionate person that sees and understands things that break my heart. So I normally speak very honestly about what fellow missionaries go through and pray daily that I can be apart of the change!

Other than getting Americans to see Europe as a mission field (not just Africa, the Middle East and Asia) here are a few misconceptions out of many that I could name:

1. One of the greatest misconceptions is that the U.S. church, as a whole, supports missions rather than missionaries that do missions. Most missionaries are seldom contacted by local supporting churches for months and even years at a time while the missionary is on the field and is seen as someone taking money from their budget rather than an extension of that church. In all honesty, missionaries are treated very poorly from church leadership and look for every reason to drop missionaries so that their fifty dollars a month can be spent on themselves. Don’t get me wrong, we have some great pastors and churches that support us but the overall environment is such and not just for us as a family but it is a reality that missionaries suffer continuously. In this reality, as I have recently learned, missionaries go underfunded and suffer for bare necessities for their families as they serve on the field. I was shocked to find that most missionaries are operating off of credit cards just to make missions happen. They suffer from medical bills from living in sub-par conditions and are swamped with other expenditures while on the field. It is said that missions is the last to change in the body of Christ but I think something needs to be done now. This is not just working to change a system but rather working to change the way we love and support those missionaries that are giving up so much just to help others. 

2. Another misconception is that we just need to support local believers (nationals) rather than sending in foreign missionaries. I have seen this first hand on the field when we had a gentleman from a well known organization that works with the persecuted church in Iran come and try to raise some support in our small Italian churches. When asked how he was going to use the money, we where shocked to find out that he wanted the money to pay for gender changes for ex-Muslim women so that they could evangelize Muslim men. Needless to say I encouraged my Italians not to invest in evangelistic sex changes. While just supporting nationals works in some context, I have spoken to people from different countries that tell of stories where other nationals have simply learned how to milk the American churches for finances in knowing what to say and how to say it. I know Italian nationals that do this continuously and use the money to lavish their lives and even hinder the work of the gospel. We cannot substitute supporting American missionaries to foreign fields. 

3. I should probably stop here but the last misconception I could mention is that supporting missions is sending a family overseas, getting newsletters that we pin to our bulletin boards and patting ourselves on the back as we tell others that we support missions. Missions is a body ministry and has nothing to do with just loading up a couple and their things, shedding a few tears and sending them away as we wave goodbye. Missionary families on the field are an extension of the (American) Church and the (American) churches that support them. These supporting churches are to work together and through that missionary family to strengthen and encourage the national churches. The partnership would be such that the supporting churches would have a finger on the heart beat of that country and know exactly what is needed to succeed in reaching their people. These churches would send necessary help for providing teaching through conference type meetings that the missionary could teach and disciple through once that individual or team of individuals are gone. The (American) Church would be active in countries rather than just waiting for newsletters that make sending our fifty dollars a month to a missionary couple feel worth it. Missionaries have and do work wonders with what little support they get from home churches but they were never meant to do the entire job alone. Missions is a body ministry!

Marco and his wife and team

Paul: 2. Cross-cultural missions is really about seeing the Body of Christ in action. Having personally traveled to many nations, it amazes me every time how God's people are sown in various areas of the world. So then what drew you into missions? How did you know you were to be a full-time missionary? and what were some fears you had to overcome? 
Marco:  So what drew me into missions?

Well it has a lot to do with my testimony, in that after I got radically saved I was awestruck in finding out how many people in my life that were Christians but never told me about Christ. I became an instant evangelist as I began to read the bible for the first time and saw Jesus purposefully going after those who were the worst in society. I did not have any religious background and so I just believed what I had read. So I befriended gang-bangers, prostitutes, homosexuals and the like as I went into the bars and night clubs as well as their communities to share Jesus. I was immediately inducted into real ministry to real people who had real needs. I read about Paul doing missionary journeys and began to hear about others who are still doing the same today. I had to get involved and began to support missions but never saw myself as one.

How did I know I was to be a full-time missionary?

I was in the Air Force and asked the Lord, in prayer, what I should do with my life. I had control of it up to that point and made an utter mess of it before I knew Jesus and now I just wanted to live for Him. Romans 8:14 became my life verse as it states “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God”.  Well, as you know, God is always faithful and answered me back with this idea that I was suppose to be a missionary to Italy. I was shocked because I thought Italy was like America with a church on every corner and no need of a missionary until I did my research and found that it is in desperate need. From there I had that calling confirmed in many ways to include strangers that would meet me and ask me if I was going to follow God’s call on my life and become a missionary. That was where it all began years ago.

and what were some fears I had to overcome?

The biggest fear, believe it or not, was not the Italian Mafia or other challenges like that as I was accustom to extreme ministry but rather my biggest fear was raising support. It was huge!!! I had to learn to trust believers with supporting my family in a foreign land and not just do that once but rather learn to live like that for the rest of my life. It sounds to others who never lived this way to seem as though I just need to have faith but when you can’t trust believers to pray, read their bible or evangelize how could I trust them for support. It was a big step for me and I have learned to trust God in people like never before in my Christian life and it is paying off in my relationship both on and off the field.

Marco serving in Italy

Paul: 3. Let's talk about giving (chuckling). Yes, I know it's a sensitive subject across all ministries and churches and especially full-time missionaries like yourself. What role does giving play in cross-cultural missions? People give locally to churches and other ministries that they see but what is your personal experience and advice for others about the heart of giving into missions and missionary families that they may not see personally?  
Marco: Major!!! It is like going to Walmart and seeing nothing on the shelves. Walmart, in that condition, would now become useless to anyone who ever wanted to go there and so is missions without support. A missionary is only a missionary if he can sustain himself in that land. The Church in America cannot afford not to support missions as we are one body and when one suffers all suffer. Being involved in missions and supporting missions is as fundamental to a Christian as reading his bible or praying. 

This is a loaded question (chuckling). Out-of-sight and out-of-mind has been the overall missionary support environment and culture. Even though people get newsletters and/or emails there is nothing like seeing that person in real life. I think pastors and missions committees with a missions vision can help create environments in their churches where the out-of-sight and out-of-mind culture no longer exists. Missionaries keep up with hundreds of supporters and need help in the relationship between the church and the missionary. Usually the full responsibility for the relationship is from an overworked missionary family that has to take all the responsibility for relationships with hundreds of supporters which makes them feel overworked all the more. The flip side of that is we have missionaries that are supported fully by their denominations but their denomination churches never see their missionaries and never interact with the missionary families as if missions is an appendage to the church and not focal. We have spoken in denominational churches to raise support and they have told us that we are the first missionaries they have ever heard from the entire existence of the church. I think that there has to be a sound foundation for relationship (on both sides) and the congregation will fall in love with the missionary family that they support and are willing to do what ever is necessary to see them succeed and are well supported. I have seen this in a few churches and it is absolutely beautiful. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to financially support Marco and their missionary family to Italy please contact International Gospel Outreach at (251) 645-2117.

Part Two is tomorrow....

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