Q: How can I use my public relations experience to increase missions awareness?

Mission agencies have a tremendous need for communications staff to serve as "bridges" between the activities on the field and people in "home" countries. Here in the USA, we're surrounded by secular information, and there are some good sources for finding pieces of Christian and mission-related information. But for people specifically interested in a mission organization, how do they get a broad spectrum of regular news on that organization's work in the field? By receiving communications pieces produced by that organization highlighting what God is going through its ministry.

For example, here at Operation Mobilization's USA office, we have an urgent need for qualified communications staff to write for our publication, for radio spots, for e-mail news groups, etc. While our purpose is to tell what God is doing, we hope that, as a result, people will pray, give and/or go--and they do. We frequently get feedback saying that people appreciate our news because they had no idea so much is happening out there, or they say they don't get this news elsewhere (meaning outside of missions circles--other agencies produce similar news).

Additionally, the mission field offices need communications staff to get news back here to home-country communications staff, so there are opportunities in many countries. Mission agencies also need staff to write for websites, to create brochures and ads, etc. Our problem has been finding enough qualified staff to focus on communications. All this means that there are many opportunities to use communications skills in missions.

I'd expect any mission agency would be excited to have someone like you to spread the word about what God is doing around the world. I personally need someone right now with your skills in journalism and public relations at Caleb Project!