Inside Missions: Nungessers on Short-term Missions continued
Last month we sat down with Richard and Brooke Nungesser, ITMI missionaries and directors of Bread of Life in Poznan, Poland, to get their thoughts on short-term missions. They are working alongside Polish nationals to reach the homeless and international community with the news that Jesus Christ wants to have a personal, intimate, loving relationship with them. The Nungessers are seasoned missionaries, and are themselves molded by short-term mission experiences. We discussed their daily lives, their short-term experiences before moving to Poland, and some of the benefits their ministries have recieved from short-term missionaries. ( click here to read last month's installment.) This month we discuss some of the challenges of hosting a short-term team, why short-term teams are so valuable to national Christians, the best ways a short-term missionary can benefit a ministry and more.
ITMI: ITMI’s philosophy is focused on assisting national Christian workers in the ministry they are already doing. Why are short-term missionaries so valuable to national workers?
Richard: Short-term missionaries are unique because they are not the same culture. Sometimes people are more open to listen and talk to a foreigner rather then a local about religion or Jesus. Short-term missionaries travel back to their origin with the passion and excitement to assist the national through prayer and resources.
Brooke: Visiting short-term missionaries are able to go into schools and sometimes churches and speak with people about Christ freely because they’re simply visiting and it’s acceptable since they’re from another culture. The short-termers tend to open doors that are seemingly closed to the nationals originally.
ITMI: What can short-term missionaries do in Poland that nationals or even long-term workers like yourselves, cannot?
Richard: By giving their skills and talents to the Lord here in Poland, each one of us is uniquely created by God. When the parts of the BODY start to function together, then more and more amazing things happen.
ITMI: You, as Americans, have done an excellent job of assisting nationals, and even gone a step further by founding Bread of Life, which enables many Polish Christians to serve the homeless in their community. How can American short-term missionaries best serve national Christians?
Richard: Thank you for the compliment. I would say that any short-term missionary best serves the national Christians when they serve our God. Coming alongside the national here and helping, supporting and/or enabling them to fulfill the good works that God has set out for them.
Brooke: The best way that they can actually serve is to come and experience Poland: the country, the people, the need. To fall in love with Poland and the ministry going on over here and take that fire back to America and ignite it with their friends, family, church, Bible studies, small groups, etc…so that people will prayerfully and financially join the team. Finances are a must in service, so the more people that join the team, the more that can be done in Poland!
ITMI: Although short-term missionaries offer benefits to a ministry that a national or resident missionary might not be able to, what are some challenges resident workers like yourselves face when having short-term missionaries serve alongside you?
Brooke: Well, I sometimes think that this question is a two-edged sword. I am not trying to discourage short-term missionaries, but I can’t make it seem as if it’s all roses either.
Sometimes when short-term missionaries come, jobs have to be created for them. This takes away from the actual work the national worker actually has. It’s a struggle to balance the important aspect of missions with the reality aspect of the jobs that need to be done even while guests are in town. So, it’s a difficult balance that usually means that the national worker or long-term missionary then has to compensate for missed work at a later date. That then usually means late nights and weekends. It’s a very tiring job being a missionary. It’s basically being a fireman, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
ITMI: What upcoming needs do your ministry(s) have that short-term missionaries could meet?
Brooke: Bread of Life always has physical labor or opportunities for evangelism.
Richard: Evangelism for both Bread of Life and Poznan International Church, Leading leadership conferences, VBS, sports clinics, renovations, etc…
ITMI: If you could say anything to someone contemplating a short-term mission trip, what would it be?
Richard: Go with the expectation to be available.
Brooke: The most important thing to remember is that when on a mission trip, they are in a foreign country…that means a different way to do things. The best thing that they can do is to eat rubber bands…BE FLEXIBLE! And, when you come to a country that is poorer than our country, please remember that all materials for projects are valuable. Food is valuable. Pretty much everything that has value is considered a treasure. So, waste not.
Another thing to remember is that you don’t need to degrade the United States simply because you are now in a foreign country. To serve in Poland doesn’t mean that you have to be ashamed of the States. We come from a great country that we should be proud of and remain proud of even while away.
Lastly, it’s extremely important to remember that just because the people you are serving speak a foreign language doesn’t mean that they don’t understand what is being shared. Speak as equals. Those are obviously the blunt truths, but here’s the positive: You will never regret serving God. It’s not sacrificing a vacation or finances; it’s utilizing your time, talents and resources for eternity.
ITMI: Is there anything else you’d like to communicate to our readers?
Brooke: Yes…that if they have the opportunity to go on a mission trip, then they should HAVE FUN!!! Make the most of their time. Work hard the entire time. Be flexible and willing for whatever task is set before them…and pray for the opportunities to share Christ everywhere!
Richard: Make yourself available to God and see what happens. The disciples in the Bible had their careers and maybe some of them were working in their dream job, but they gave it up when Jesus called them. I’m sure that he is calling a lot of people, but we tend to ignore that knocking at the heart. If we ignore it too long then we probably won’t feel it anymore. Minister to someone today!
ITMI: Richard and Brooke, thanks for your time. We are honored to serve alongside people like you, people who are great at helping others become involved and realize the full abundant life God has in store for them. You are jewels because you are obedient to His calling, and we’re grateful to you for setting that example for believers everywhere.
