Can God use writing, photography or journalism in missions?
I am in engineering. How could I use this in missions?
» more related questionsQ: I am interested in social work and sociology in university. How could I use this in missions?
A: To understand the dynamics of persons and society.
I think that studying Sociology or Social Work is a good choice. It will help you understand where people are coming from and some of why they think and behave as they do. Understanding the dynamics of people and society is an excellent preparation for life in general, and in preparing you to serve the Lord, particularly in an urban setting. I would also encourage you to take a course in Cultural Anthropology. These studies will help you understand more about the customs people have and how individuals relate to one another.
To make your studies more meaningful, I would encourage you to be researching at the same time a specific non-North American context, perhaps a place where you might like to serve the Lord. This would give your studies more relevance. In addition, I would suggest that you develop some friendships with individuals from a different heritage, such as African, Asian, Native, or Latin Americans. It would be great to attend an African American church for a year or more, to learn from its rich heritage of faith. This will also disburden you of any illusions about there being one single American Christian culture, and will give you experiences in cross-cultural communication, specific to matters of faith.
In addition to your studies, I would encourage you to get involved with a campus Christian group (if there is one on your campus) or a student or young adult fellowship at your church. There you can learn how to study the Bible with others, share the Gospel with those who don't know Jesus, and how to help new Christians grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
I would also suggest that you explore opportunities to work with children and the deaf, to see how you enjoy these experiences. I suspect that you'll find yourself drawn more to one than the other. Many places offer short courses on teaching English as a second language (TESOL). It would help you to have this training whether you go overseas or not, especially with the growing number of immigrants and non-English speakers in North America (assuming you live in North America!)
You might want to go on a summer mission experience, either domestically or abroad. These years of your life are your opportunity to see what is going on, try new experiences and see what your heart responds to. Pray that the Lord would guide you to situations that will open future doors for you.
If you decide to serve as a missionary, you will also need Bible training for at least a year or two and maybe more, depending on what you decide to do.
To make your studies more meaningful, I would encourage you to be researching at the same time a specific non-North American context, perhaps a place where you might like to serve the Lord. This would give your studies more relevance. In addition, I would suggest that you develop some friendships with individuals from a different heritage, such as African, Asian, Native, or Latin Americans. It would be great to attend an African American church for a year or more, to learn from its rich heritage of faith. This will also disburden you of any illusions about there being one single American Christian culture, and will give you experiences in cross-cultural communication, specific to matters of faith.
In addition to your studies, I would encourage you to get involved with a campus Christian group (if there is one on your campus) or a student or young adult fellowship at your church. There you can learn how to study the Bible with others, share the Gospel with those who don't know Jesus, and how to help new Christians grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
I would also suggest that you explore opportunities to work with children and the deaf, to see how you enjoy these experiences. I suspect that you'll find yourself drawn more to one than the other. Many places offer short courses on teaching English as a second language (TESOL). It would help you to have this training whether you go overseas or not, especially with the growing number of immigrants and non-English speakers in North America (assuming you live in North America!)
You might want to go on a summer mission experience, either domestically or abroad. These years of your life are your opportunity to see what is going on, try new experiences and see what your heart responds to. Pray that the Lord would guide you to situations that will open future doors for you.
If you decide to serve as a missionary, you will also need Bible training for at least a year or two and maybe more, depending on what you decide to do.
A: Consider community development or children in crisis.
There are many possibilities for using social work overseas. In some cases you may be able to help a community develop a program. You may be able to assist a local or regional government in dealing with one group such as the physically handicapped, hearing impaired, blind, etc.
Another area of real possibility is working with Children in Crisis. For example, browse http://www.wec-int.org/rainbows/. There are many ways in which this can happen for working with an established orphanage to helping develop a program through a local church or local government. In a very few places this may even develop into a salaried position for a "tentmaker" ministry, although in most cases it will be done on a volunteer basis.
Another area of real possibility is working with Children in Crisis. For example, browse http://www.wec-int.org/rainbows/. There are many ways in which this can happen for working with an established orphanage to helping develop a program through a local church or local government. In a very few places this may even develop into a salaried position for a "tentmaker" ministry, although in most cases it will be done on a volunteer basis.
