How can I encourage a CMS missionary at Christmas time?
The Christmas season is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your relationships with CMS missionaries! Christmas can be a challenging time of year for CMS workers who are away from family, friends and familiar traditions – but your messages of encouragement will remind them of your continued support as they share the message of Christ.
We have put together a new website where you can give an online gift to encourage a CMS missionary this Christmas. Read on for some suggestions for what to write in your Christmas message that will inspire them and grow your relationship.
Share a Bible verse or write a prayer to encourage them
What have you been reading in God’s word lately? Search for a Bible verse you have recently read, or choose a favourite verse and let your missionary know what you love about it. Perhaps you could share one that encourages your missionary to persevere in ministry, or one that reminds them of the precious joy of knowing Christ!
Another idea is to write a prayer that will show your chosen missionary how you are praying for them. You might like to read over their most recent prayer newsletter to learn their latest updates and see what they would like prayer for. Then you can include these prayer points in your message, showing them that you care about them and are praying for them.
Let them know how you and your church are celebrating Christmas
Your link missionary would love to know about your plans for Christmas this year. While it may be sad that they are unable to join you, it is a precious thing to know that God’s people are celebrating the birth of Jesus all over the world.
Do you have plans to celebrate Christmas with your family? How is your church planning to celebrate Christmas amidst COVID-19? Build the relationship with your link missionary by sharing what you’re looking forward to this Christmas.
Tell them what’s happening in your life
One way you can grow your relationship with your link missionary is by sharing personal updates. Has anything changed in your life – or in the life of your church – since you last saw your link missionary? Perhaps you moved home, changed churches, finished your degree, had a baby… the list is endless! Let them know of any life updates, but make sure to keep it brief.
Share the biblical truths you’ve been reflecting on
What has God convicted you of during this season of your life? What biblical truths have you held on to throughout the uncertainty of 2020? How has God’s word been challenging, encouraging, and shaping you to live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus? Your link missionary would love to know how you have been growing as a Christian, and they would love to keep you in their prayers as you pray for them too.
Your partnership makes a difference
Through your gospel partnership, our missionaries are able to serve God all throughout the world. Your prayers, encouraging messages, and gifts of financial support make a difference in enabling CMS missionaries to serve across cultures for the long term!
This Christmas, send an online gift to connect with, inspire, and encourage a CMS missionary as you partner with them to share the news of grace around the world.
