ACM is the missionary training arm of The 700 Club Asia
Missionary Care Seminar empowers over 100 participants PDF Print E-mail
Carrying its mission of advancing the Kingdom of God in partnership with churches and organizations, Member Care 101 Seminar, organized by the Asian Center for Missions (ACM) was held at the chapel of ACCM Building in Makati City last June 30. This was in partnership with the Philippine MCare Network.

The seminar was formally opened by Pastor Nat Ramos, ACM Philippine Director, who welcomed over 100 participants representing various denominations and organizations who came together for a day of study, conversations about caring ministry, and Christian fellowship.

ACM Missionary Care Director Grace A. taught participants how to organize their church and denomination to care.

“The church plays a vital role in caring for missionaries,” she said. She also had a talk on routine debriefing and listening skills.

“We need to think of the whole missionary journey as a critical event,” she said, which means missionaries will need stress debriefing and other forms of holistic care. “Church workers and ministers also need regular debriefing and care to lessen possibilities of burnout.”

Team teachers Lou and Ghie exposed Biblical references to God’s heart for providing care, missionary life stages, and cross-cultural issues. In the seminar, participants began to grapple with ways of how to care for missionaries and ministers.

“More pastors should be involved in caring for our missionaries,” said Chit, ACM MCare volunteer and now the missions team leader of their local church.

“There’s a need to do on-site visits to help missionaries cope with various issues they face in the mission field,” she explained. Her denomination’s mission director, who came along with her, is thankful to be part of the conference as well.

“I can now help address the current situation of our missions board. Maybe we need to redirect or have a total overhaul of our ministry,” he narrated.

A missionary trainee was motivated to mobilize her local church. “More hopeful missionaries will be encouraged to pursue their missionary call if they know that there are people who would care for them,” she said.

Nerla, who came along with her missionary friend, says the seminar came just at the right time. She was having second thoughts of going to the mission field, but after the seminar, she declared, “I am now challenged to go.”
The free seminar aimed to mobilize a movement that will awaken, empower and enable the body of Christ in fulfilling the Great Commission. Indeed it enlightened the participants. The theme of providing care for the missionaries gave attendees strategic tools to promote the advancement of God’s kingdom. They left the seminar motivated, inspired and empowered.