FEMALES ONLY: This team will go into an area where there is no known direct missions engagement in order to do some work for the purpose of developing a strategy for Gospel engagement of the Frisian speaking peoples of the Netherlands using their heart language. The assignment will have three primary components. First, the team will explore and determine the level of Christian activity and access to the Gospel and fullness of Christian discipleship through the medium of Frisian. Examples include seeking out churches that function through the medium of Frisian, and if so to what degree (completely in Frisian, bilingual, occasional use of Frisian). If no Churches are actively using Frisian, the team will determine if first-language Frisian speakers are engaged in Dutch speaking Churches and if there are Christian resources (print and other media) available in Frisian. Secondly, the team will explore the world of first-language, Frisian speakers. For example, the team will seek to discover concentrations of Frisian speakers, what places and areas do they tend to congregate and interact, the cultural distinctives of Frisian speakers, and what is the importance of their language to Frisian speakers and why? Thirdly, the team will develop a couple of practical tools, to be used by new personnel in the area to develop missions and Church-planting/strengthening initiatives among Frisian. Based on the team’s conversations, explorations, and observations, they will develop two tools, which are quite common in the initial stages of missionary engagement of a new people group, namely “Bridges and Barriers to the Gospel” and “100 Ministry/outreach Ideas.” Specific training regarding the preparation of these resources will be given during the team’s first week on-field. This assignment would be ideal experience and training for students who are considering vocational missions and/or Church-planting.
Special requirements: Students that serve on this project should be outgoing and able to take initiative and try new things to engage native Frisian speakers in Gospel conversations. Knowledge of Dutch would be helpful, but not required.
Ben Edfeldt said there’s something powerful about being in the room with a group of students “who have committed part or all of their summer to take the gospel to
Lorrie McCarver* said she knew she was interested in missions when she attended a Go Night event in Tuscaloosa last year. She went to find out more about being sent