Africa (MNN) — Every Child Ministries is working to build up their long-term missionary work in Africa. There are a few roadblocks when it comes to encouraging people to do long-term service, but the outcome is priceless.
Though ECM sends many short-term teams each year, John Rouster says the establishment of long
term missionaries is vital. "The people know that the missionaries have a commitment to them, to the community, and to Christ, and this impacts their receptiveness to the Gospel," said Rouster.
Future missionaries are currently working to raise funds to go to Africa for long-term service. Many of them will have an impact directly on children. "Their dedication to these children will continue to be seen beyond our lifetimes. It will impact their children and their children's children," explained Rouster.
"We are encouraging people to look at long term service; almost any talent that anyone has, God would use," said Rouster. They are encouraging people to get involved, but there are a few challenges.
The time commitment is one of those challenges, which is between two and four years. Rouster compares this to schooling. "You go to school for 12 years, and if you go on to college, it's 4 and 8 years, and it's the same thing with long-term missionary work. It's always a learning process in teaching the nationals what you know, and they're teaching you what they know."
The greatest obstacle is raising financial support. "Developing your support base and prayer base for your support team is very crucial; it's a lot of hard work, and it takes time," said Rouster.
If you can contribute financially to help the missionaries who are waiting to serve in
Africa, or if you would like to learn more about going yourself, click here.
