Mission Corps: How to Get Involved

Along with staying informed and giving sacrificially to ministry in Europe, there may be some of you who want to do even more to get involved.

Recently, I was contacted by someone interested in teaching overseas. I was excited to share our experience with him, along with some helpful information. I was particularly excited to refer him to Mission Corps, the volunteer mobilization department of the Church of the Nazarene.

Many of you may already be familiar with short-term missions activity through the Work & Witness program. W&W trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and France are how I was first introduced to foreign missions. Work & Witness teams are sent all over the world at all times of the year, usually for 1-2 weeks at a time. Two teams helped out at EuNC over the summer, and we have a third team here this week as well.

Mission Corps, like Work & Witness, is a missions-minded volunteer program within the Church of the Nazarene. But Mission Corps is also a bit different. Unlike W&W, Mission Corps deals specifically with individuals and couples, rather than groups. Also, Mission Corps volunteers serve for anywhere from 6 months to 1 year at a time, rather than 1-2 weeks.

The old paradigm of foreign missions no longer applies. No longer is it merely those specifically called to full-time church ministry in a foreign context who are considered "missionaries." You do not have to be a minister or seminary student in order to offer yourself for overseas service. People from many areas of interest and expertise are needed to contribute to what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene across the globe. Whether you are a full-time minister, Starbucks employee, accountant, teacher, journalist, medical professional, or construction worker, or whatever - your skills and experience are needed somewhere in the world.

If you are looking for a cross-cultural experience beyond Work & Witness, Mission Corps is where you want to go in order to match your skills with the needs that exist. If you are willing to serve as a Mission Corps volunteer, check out their website TODAY at: http://www.missioncorps.org!