"Think Strategy..."

Katie Hajenius

When it comes to short-term missions service, it's fun to get as many stamps in our passports as possible. We can show them to relatives at family gatherings and say, "Wow, isn't this cool? I've been all over the globe." This isn't to minimize globe-trotting, because maybe that's a viable profession or hobby. But it's not really being deliberate. It's not really thinking about the big picture, the long-term workers or what's best for the long haul. It's more about excitement and thrill and passport stamps. It's about me. That's why it's so important that we endeavor to shift from merely "doing" missions to "being" missional.

As a movement, and that is what this Chi Alpha missions thing is, it is about who we are, not what we do. Being missional involves wholeness and totality; it is not segmented or in parts. Being missional means that who I say I am is reflected in what I do. It is values driven, not merely opportunities afforded or taken. It means being deliberate and intentional about the journey and my role in the Kingdom. If I am missional, then it follows that I make choices based on that premise.

To be missional is all-encompassing. This paradigm shift will transform how we live and the choices we make. Comforts, security, props and, yes, our sacred idols will be tested and revealed in this context. We will look at school breaks with new eyes as well as career opportunities. We either move toward living and being completely as disciples, or we live a fragmented existence while merely saying and doing. With this framework in mind, consider the following scenario.

What if, as local Chi Alpha groups, we decided to take on specific countries. We say, "We're going to commit five or so years to this land, these people and the missionaries who are giving their lives there?" What would this mean? What would it look like? How would missions change for us personally, as a local group and our movement as a whole?

Say you commit to a certain country. For the next five or so years you'll take teams into that area. You'll contact AG missionaries there (and maybe even pick them up for monthly support. The ideas are really flowing now!) and find out their ongoing needs, how you can come alongside them in prayer, and how you can specifically and strategically prepare yourselves (aside from watching the fab training DVD that National XA sent out last year) to serve during the several-week stay. The whole ministry can get in on this. Those who aren't going can help pray and give; those who are going can pray and prepare. Those who don't go this year will hear the stories, get sad and a bit envious, and decide to go the following year. Remember, there's a five-year commitment in play here. You all get a shot at that stamp!

Now you've got teams that have been going for a while. Some students have gone three years in a row. They're committed, they're down with the locals and have been a blessing to the full-time workers. They are even leading teams of their peers. Some students are even talking about staying a few months over the summer. Some decide to give a year or two after college to continue the work that has been plowed and watered over these summers. Are you seeing it? It's big, and, baby, it's beautiful. This process can take on a different twist too. If you hone in on a region that might not have any full-time workers yet, your campus may decide to make this their focus and lay the foundation for a future harvest.

This is what we did at the University of Arizona . In 2001, we did an initial trip into Kosova. We fell in love with the people and saw this strategic window. We took the leap and said we'd do five years. I'm thrilled to report that as of summer 2005, we've fulfilled that initial commitment. Several students have led their peers into this area. We've raised thousands of dollars over and above our teams' needs for specific projects over there. We've literally saved lives as a result. Four students stayed multiple months at a time, assisting the long-term workers there. (One took a semester off school, a couple spent the summer there and another gave several months there before entering corporate America .) We will continue to go back. No, we don't have anything to prove, but our job isn't done. We still don't have any long-term workers from our campus there. We're still one of the only XAs in the nation to commit to this country. We need more laborers for this harvest field, this country, thhese people who are now a part of us. The U of A Chi Alpha would not be what it is without the stamp of Kosova all over it, all over us. That's the stamp that counts.

Having campuses commit to a specific region and/or country for a minimum of five years will allow sufficient penetration in the land to establish some type of consistent work. This will cement a heart for the area among volunteers, and we believe that many from these teams will go back annually. Individuals from these teams will rise up as well, banding together to take on this land for medium- to long-range work.

The next unfolding of the dream involves postgrad ministry. It just makes sense that our short-term labors would translate into seeing volunteers in the Chi Alpha community say, "I'll go and give one to two years to overseas service upon graduation."

The fact remains: The Mormons are giving two years; we've just been giving excuses. We don't like to hear that, because we have to confront ourselves and look in the mirror. Let's give the King of glory His due! What's one to two years after college? You'll be in your career for 30+ years, so what's the rush? You'll get there. Do something crazy, something Kingdom before you get married, have a mortgage and a few kids - although we'll take you with all of that too. The downsizing and storage just might be a bit more of a hassle.

As for campus missionaries, particularly those on multiple staffs, let's consider changing fields for a year and sowing into a foreign soil. Let's lead by example and put some walking to our talking. We all know the significance of the American college campus is unparalleled. However, most of the world cannot get a student visa to study in our schools. I believe there's a special place in God's heart, not just for the best and brightest, but also for the least and forgotten. We can have the privilege of going to them.

I invite you, XA, to join with the staff and students at U of A to make a commitment, to hone in, to pray, to give, to go. So often we undervalue our contribution and think, Well, if I don't, someone else will. OK, who? It's you. It's me. I know all of the stuff and comforts and family gatherings are enticing, but come on. Do you really think you were put on this planet just for that? We're given one shot on planet Earth - one lifetime, that's it. What's any of this worth anyway if it doesn't cost us something, if it isn't a little uncomfortable? It's just safe and easy, and that's not real Christianity as far as I'm concerned. Read the Gospels again. Safety wasn't the issue. Leaving everything and following Him was. Let's not confuse our culture with the gospel. It's not one and the same. And while I'm at it, the American dream isn't a Christian idea either. Shake off that virtual reality stuff and start living what's real and being missional. Forgget the lie that it's all about you and the corporate hoo-ha. Hey, if you're going to do the 8 to 5 thing, do it with gusto, do it on purpose, with conviction, with mission. Want to make lots of money? Great! Make it for the Kingdom. Want to forsake that four-year degree and do some foreign missions vocational work? Wonderful! Welcome aboard.

You were bought at a price because you were deeply loved. That's got to mean something. It's got to translate into action somehow. I believe we have an opportunity to be part of an awakening, a movement like never before. And as all of creation waits with expectation and longing for this love story to unfold, this story that we, ourselves, are a part of, we need to remember: It's really not about me or you. It's all about Him.