How to Bring the Nations into the Room (Without Booking a Flight)
Most churches talk about missions. Fewer help their people actually meet a missionary—hear the voice, feel the story, and see the Great Commission up close. That gap is exactly what this short, practical guide is built to close.
“How to Connect with a Missionary” is a plug-and-play resource for pastors and ministry leaders who want to put real mission work in front of their people—safely, wisely, and soon. Whether it’s a live Zoom from the field, a stateside visit, or an interview with a missionary your church already supports, this guide shows you how to set it up in a way that forms disciples, not just fans of travel photos.
Why this matters now
A live missionary story collapses the distance between your pews and the nations. It disciples your church toward prayer and participation, and it often awakens calling in students and young adults who assume “missions is for someone else.” In other words: this isn’t PR—it’s formation.
What’s inside the guide
Step-by-step setup: How to schedule a visit or virtual call and what to confirm up front.
Smart, targeted questions: Move past small talk into gospel movement—entry, evangelism, discipleship, church life, leadership development, and long-term partnership.
Security best practices: What to share publicly, what not to post, and how to protect workers and locals.
Action pathways: Practical next steps for your church—pray, give, go, and advocate.
How to use it this month
Pick a Sunday or midweek and carve out 15–20 minutes.
Secure a missionary (local contact or agency connection).
Send the pre-approved questions from the guide.
Appoint a crisp, pastoral host to land the plane with a clear call to action.
Follow up with a four-week prayer focus or an interest meeting.
If you’ve ever thought, “We need to keep missions in front of our people,” this is your low-friction way to do it—no committee marathons required. Download the guide, book the conversation, and let a faithful voice from the field recalibrate your church’s imagination for the nations.
Download: How to Connect with a Missionary (PDF) Below
Best next step: Put a date on the calendar before you close this tab.
Shannon Ford Missions Director IBSA