Are missionary kids better prepared for multicultural ministry? – Part 2
2) Increased “Global” Awareness – When my parents went into full time ministry they moved states, gave up a normal work environment and chose lower standards of living. They did this because they believed that they were called to make the Gospel known around the US and all over the world by living stateside and helping the organization “Missionary Athletes International” as they organized camp programs, a professional soccer team, and overseas tours.
Because of this, “the world” was a common topic in our home. We talked about the overseas trips and lived life with many of the missionaries who traveled overseas frequently. Some of my parents’ good friends took their four kids and moved to a rural, prominently witch-craft ,tribal area of Africa where no white man had ever been.
My best childhood friend lived in Ethiopia from the time I was 8 until I was 12. The world was a part of our lives in Charlotte. Naturally, my sister and I had both been on at least three foreign missions trip by age 14.
Global awareness is something that I believe is very important. It is a great deterrent to self-centeredness and ethnocentrism. It is a great teacher of humility and diversity. Ultimately it gives perspective, which is something that every child and every person needs. Growing up in a missionary home, a global perspective was readily available for me.
I believe that a person in multicultural ministry needs to have more dependence on God (finances included) and a more missional/global mindset than most professions.
Because of this, a person who grew up in a full time ministry environment - where these aspects are taught naturally from a young age – may seem to have an advantage.
However, the bottom line is that each person ultimately must chose to trade in their dependence on the world for dependence on God and must choose if they will view the world as God views it.
Also check out:
Are missionary kids better prepared for multicultural ministry? – Part 1
Blog post by Mariah Hughes
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Are missionary kids better prepared for multicultural ministry? – Part 1
To discuss this question…we need to be clear on a couple things:
a) What is a missionary kid? And ultimately…
b) What is a missionary?”
I believe all Christians are called to share the Gospel, making us all missionaries. Thus we could conclude that those of us who grew up in homes where our parents were focused on sharing the Gospel are indeed “missionary kids.”
In this blog post, though, I want to specifically address if children who grow up with parents in full-time ministry are better equipped for multicultural ministry.
My parents have been in full time ministry since I was two years old, and as I have grown up, I have had the opportunity to experience two main things that seem unique to being raised in a full- time ministry environment.
1) Increased Financial Dependence – Because my parent’s salary depended on other believers giving financial gifts to the ministry on our behalf each month, I grew up seeing a direct correlation between the money we needed each month and God providing that money. No matter how many hours my parents worked in a month, they could not make money come in to supply our financial needs.
In reality, we all depend on God for our financial needs daily. In fact, we depend on him for our next breath. Because of growing up in a full time ministry environment, I was assisted in seeing that financial stability is not ultimately dependent on higher education, hours worked, the stock market, a successful company, promotions . . . etc. God provides our needs.
To be continued…
Blog post by Mariah Hughes
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Children are a gift
This past year as we eagerly waited for the arrival of our second child people asked my wife and I if we had any anxiety. I think some parents in our lives felt a big change come on with their first kid and were wondering how we felt about a second one.
I have to be honest…I was more excited than anxious. Why?
Difficulties
We’ve had our difficulties with getting pregnant. We’ve gone through fertility treatments and even suffered the loss of a child through a miscarriage.
But God has blessed us with two children. And what a privilege parenthood has been!
I know that as the person who stays home during the day that I won’t expect to get much done. I know that my social energy will need to grow a great deal to watch two boys. I know that my personal time will be limited.
But that’s okay. It’s all part of parenthood.
I remember how grateful I’ve been watching my first son playing, laughing, and even throwing a fit. Parenting is not easy by any means, but I’m honored to be given that gift of children by God.
Psalm 127:3-5 it says:
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.4 Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
So, do I have anxiety about having more kids. I have my days when I’m spent emotionally and physically, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. That’s the truth.
Blog post by Peter Kihyun Park
© 2011, Peter Park. All rights reserved.