Missionary Commissioning Service

They need you, church!!!

I have 4 charges for you… First, and most important… PRAY!!! Not those little, “Thank you God for the food” type of prayers either… THEY NEED GENUINE, PASSIONATE, INTERCESSORY PRAYER!!! [Candidate] needs your prayer… [Candidate's parents/family] need your prayer… The ministry in [destination country] needs your prayer… The [name of people group(s)] people need your prayer! I know the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Pick a time of day and set an alarm to remind you to pray. Maybe organize a prayer calendar… Whatever it takes to cover them in prayer.

My second charge is to ENCOURAGE!!! Let [candidate] know that you prayed for him/her… Let [candidate's parents/family] know you prayed for them… Let the church and other missionaries in [destination country] know you prayed for them… Send a message, an email… record your prayer (either audio or video) and send it as an encouragement. Visit in person, or by phone or video and pray with them live. Let [candidate] know every week that s/he’s not alone… that you’re thinking of him/her and you’ve got his/her back. I can’t tell you enough how much of an impact you can have if you will do this!

Third… BE THERE!!! There will be times when [candidate] has a need, or his/her family is in need, or there is a struggle or trial they’re going thru… I charge you as the church family to be there in their time of need… Take care of them… Love and support them with the resources that God provides... especially over the holidays. Don’t leave them to struggle on their own!

PRAY… ENCOURAGE… BE THERE… and my fourth and last charge… TRANSITION GRACEFULLY… This is where a lot of churches struggle in my opinion. When [candidate] returns from [destination country], s/he’s going to need some space and s/he’s going to need your patience and understanding while s/he processes all the things s/he experienced while in the field. I got overwhelmed just walking into a grocery store after we got back. It takes a little time to re-orient yourself. Nothing’s changed much for folks here, but [candidate] may need time to readjust. When s/he’s wanting to talk about his/her experiences, be a listening and empathetic ear. Don’t put expectations on him/her to jump right back in to doing the things s/he was doing right before s/he left. Give him/her time to recharge his/her spiritual, physical, and emotional batteries. Help him/her TRANSITION GRACEFULLY back home.

6. EXPRESSION OF CHURCH'S COMMITMENT

[Candidate], please come stand up front again. [Candidate's parents/family], will you please come stand up here with [candidate] as well? Brothers and sisters, if you are willing to commit to love and support this family by PRAYING, ENCOURAGING, BEING THERE, and helping them TRANSITION GRACEFULLY… would you please stand with me now and say "Amen!"? [wait for response] Thank you for your commitment!

7. CLOSING

I'd now like to have a time of special prayer for [candidate] and his/her family. Let's all come down and lay hands on them and pray as the Lord leads you. When I sense that we are coming to a close, I'll voice a final prayer in closing. [PRAY]