An Open Letter to Our Missions Mobilization Coordinators

By: Rev. Scott Armstrong

The following is part of a series of “open letters” I have written as I transition from 21 years in the Mesoamerica Region to our new ministry in South America.

Dear Missions Mobilization Coordinators,

Emily and I have worn many metaphorical hats in cross-cultural ministry. We have been Regional Personnel Coordinator, Regional Nazarene Youth International Coordinator, Mesoamerica GENESIS Coordinators, and even temporary Work and Witness Coordinators.

The one ministry that Emily and I have coordinated in the entirety of our time on the mission field is Missions Mobilization. Years ago, it was known as World Mission MAC and then transitioned to Global Mission Mesoamerica with the creation of our current region. We went plural after that (Global Missions Mesoamerica) and then, just 18 months ago landed on Mesoamerica Missions Mobilization for important reasons. I love the new name and the logo.

But what I have loved most is ministering with YOU. You are all volunteers. You have a missional spirit that the Church is starting to embrace more and more. You are absolutely passionate about seeing children, teens, and adults find their place in God’s mission. You have organized hundreds of missions trips and trainings during the past 21 years, and many of you have served as missionaries with GENESIS  and other ministries. You have impacted the nations as you have said yes to God’s calling on your lives. But you have also changed the world (perhaps even more) as you have creatively mobilized people in cross-cultural missions.

A lot of good has happened for sure! Tens of thousands of short-term missionaries sent. Hundreds of long-termers. Cities and communities and families impacted.

However, don’t rest on your laurels. There is more work to be done. God isn’t finished with us yet.

Keep seeing in people what others – or even they – don’t see in themselves.

Don’t think your role is to organize events or manage programs. Those are important, but they are means to the end. Stay focused on discovering, developing, and deploying missionaries. Real candidates, real people who can change the world.

Don’t get distracted or discouraged by leaders who don’t understand or support the global mission of the Church. Keep humbly but courageously showing the way.

Don’t try to do too much and then burn out. Work hard, but rest regularly. God and his Church need you at your best, and for the long haul.

And think way bigger and aim even higher than Emily and I have in the past 21 years. Your new Regional Coordinator is incredible…and anointed for this task. Erika will take you to the next level. Don’t ever think that this ministry has already lived its best years. God has placed in you the seeds of a revolution.

My brothers and sisters, thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for the privilege of serving with you. We love you dearly.

Scott Armstrong

P.S. Transform the world!