When missionaries return from their fields of service (or a short-termer returns from months of ministry, or summer workers returning after weeks of summer ministry), sometimes the only questions people ask are, "Was it hot in the country?" and "What was the food like?" and nothing else. The conversation then switches to the recent ball game, the high price of gas, or the latest movies. This can be discouraging to a missionary or a short-term worker.
The following are suggestions of 34 simple questions to ask missionaries to share about their ministry so that you can learn more about what God is doing in other parts of the world:
1. What did you most enjoy about your work?
2. Tell us something about the people of your country.
3. What was the economic situation of the people you ministered to?
4. What most encouraged you in your ministry?
5. Were many people responsive to the gospel or just a few? Why?
6. Describe an experience you had on the mission field that impacted the way you do ministry.
7. How was your devotional Bible study time schedule on the field. Was it difficult to maintain?
8. What did you appreciate most about the culture you were living in?
9. Tell me about a special friendship you had with a person of the country. Who was your best friend?
10. What was security in the country like?
11. How were church services different or alike in your country of service?
12. Tell me about your church and worship in your country.
13. Were there times that you could specifically focus on children's needs? Tell something about them.
14. What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country and mission of service?
15. Tell me about raising your children in a different culture. Advantages? Diadvantages?
16. Were you able to purchase the books, supplies, and materials you needed for your ministry in that country? How?
17. What was the greatest spiritual need you noticed in your ministry? Physical need?
18. What was your biggest surprise about the country? The people? Yourself?
19. How did you adapt to being in a different culture?
20. What has been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began ministry as a missionary?
21. What is/was a typical day like for you? Your family?
22. Tell me about your local church.
23. Who provide your pastoral care? Your church or mission?
24. Please tell me of someone whose life was impacted with the gospel and the change you saw in his/her life.
25. Were you able to share the gospel and disciple people freely in your country of service?
26. What was really important to you in your time there that you want us to know?
27. Tell me about the missionaries you serve/served with. What are their ministries and how are they doing? Are they encouraged?
28. What are some ministry needs and opportunities that need filling on your team?
29. How is your support? Do you have any projects/ministries that need funding?
30. How can I help you while you are here?
31. What could the church/friends/others do to help encourage you?
32. What did you learn from the indigenous Christians…..especially in the area of faith, contentment, materialism?
33. What did God show you about being a servant?
34. How can I change my lifestyle to dedicate my life to the same values God has for the poor and disadvantaged in the developing world?
These questions will not only encourage the missionary, but also help inform you of God's work worldwide for His glory. Please feel free to make copies of these questions to distribute to your family, friends and church.
They went out for the sake of His name . . . therefore, we ought to help such men, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth (3 John 7-8). – Doug Nichols
