1. Is church planting for everyone?

When we talk about church planting, we are referring to doing missions overseas (Matthew 28:19-20). If that is the case, then Yes, church planting is for everyone because missions is for everyone. While all Christians are called to participate in reaching all nations, only some are sent out cross-culturally. When we strategize to complete the task, the focus of our attention must include missionary concerns at the front lines as well as the strategies to support and supply them. At Hope of God Malaysia, you can be involved in missions in five vital roles, which is as a Goer, Sender, Mobilizer, Welcomer or Intercessor. Nothing is more energizing than a dedicated sender, mobilizer or intercessor whose ministry is fulfilled with intensity, focus, perseverance and sacrifice. You can contact us, mission department in every centre to find out more.

2. If God has spoken through different leaders that my calling is to be an intercessor for the nations, then how should I respond to a missions challenge?

It is the same as with other spiritual gifts. Having the gift of intercession does not mean you stay dormant in the home country and only go to your prayer closet to pray. As a church, we need to work together as a team for the overall good of the Body. While it is good to serve God with our spiritual gifts, we need to consider how we may together for work together for the overall good of the whole Body (1 Cor 12:27). You can visit our brothers and sisters in the countries on site and have a prayer walk. Or you can join as part of the church planting team and function as an intercessor. Meanwhile, in the local scene, you can sign up with your district or missions department and intercede for our church planters and the countries we are going to church plant.

3. If the city that I want to go already has a seed church then must I change my choice? What if my desire is for another city which Hope Malaysia is not planning to enter yet? Should we follow church direction or our desire?

Our primary objective in church planting is to preach the gospel and to saturate the world with churches. We believe the Hope Movement has a strategy to fulfill the Great Commission as quickly as we can. The global cities that we have chosen now, to land for the initial stage are planned strategically (after much prayer and deliberation). Having successfully done that, we will move on to pioneer other countries and cities. ). So as a church member, It would be wiser to follow the church, not that our burden is not important. Also, our desire/compassion can be developed. Praying constantly for the people there is one way. There is definitely a place for you to church plant in. You can request for a list of cities we are focusing on from the Missions Dept.

4. If a Go team has difficulty in finding a viable entry vehicle into a city as a tentmaker, would Hope Malaysia consider providing partial or full financial support to the team?

As church planting is a long term commitment and church planters should only go when there is a viable entry vehicle which will sustain them financially. A church planter is also encouraged to have a saving equivalent to 6 months of living expenses in the city for church planting. Only under special situations (rather than a norm) would the church be assisting by providing partial financial support. E.g. loss of job or health problems which cause our church planter not able to work to support himself.

5. Does church planting involve burning bridges every time? Does church planting also involve being permanent residence in the country? How do we prepare for it?

We say church planting involves burning bridges because it is about a commitment that underscores a "no turning back" stance. It is not about how long you are going to be in a particular country but it is about how committed you are to remain in the country as long as you are needed. A good option is to set aside at least 3-4 years, subjected to visa approval because most pioneering work takes about that length of time. If, by the end of the third year, the church planting team managed to raise a national leader to take care of the church, then, you can be released to either go back to the home country or to move on to pioneer at another virgin country. It is possible to even consider permanent residency at the very beginning. The best preparation is to be ready for it.

6. Do you go church planting alone or in a team?

We do not encourage an individual to do church planting alone. Church planting is a team effort. In a new land with a new culture, it is always good to have at least some people you already know to encourage and to do the work of the ministry together. Ministry in the homeland is sometimes considered tough. You can imagine how this toughness is going to be magnified in a foreign land. Even in the local scene, the Care Leader does not run the whole show alone. S/He has a core team to work with.

7. How does a church planting team form?

The team can be formed from within Hope Churches in Malaysia or together with other Hope churches. At the beginning, the missions department will collate names of those who are interested to go to the same country. They can come together to research on the country and find out the possible entry opportunities. Meanwhile, we encourage them to go for an exploration trip to the country while they are seeking the Lord for their decision for church planting. Subsequently, the people who have decided to go church planting in that country will be gathered as a goers team. As much as we advocate church planting as a team, sometimes, an individual may have to go ahead of his/her team. In odd cases when it happens, the person must still have a team supporting at the home front. The team should also be making regular trips until they join him/her. Meanwhile, the lone church planter can start with building the contact base, adapting to a new culture, language and lifestyle, do lifestyle evangelism, prepare the ground, look for accommodation, etc and maybe even facilitating entry opportunities for the rest of the team mates.

8. How can a Go team prepare themselves to serve together on the missions field?

Firstly, the team can serve in the same pastoral group for an extended period of time. They will be encouraged to stay together in ministry houses for a minimum period of a month. This will help them learn about one other's character & personality, style of working and spiritual gifts. They can learn conflict management while they are still in Malaysia. Conflicts, when not properly managed will be a key hindrance for the team's performance on the mission field. All the team members in the Go team need to share the same vision and motivated to learn how they are a part of God’s agenda for the country where they serve. Nevertheless, belonging to a team is an important way to gain a sense of belonging to something much bigger than oneself; team members need to learn how to encourage each other and provide an accountability structure on the field.

9. Are missions just for working adults? What happens if I am a student?

Missions are for students as well. There are many ways you can be involved.

a. Go for local mission trips
Widen your perspectives, receive a compassionate heart for foreign nations; experience a new culture, and lifestyle and learn new things. Just graduated and planning for a holiday trip? Incorporate a “missions segment” to your holiday trip! What you will do in missions trip? Visit Hope churches and be an encourager to their students; assist future goer teams by gathering information about the city and researching on jobs or studies opportunities.

b. Enroll in student exchange programs offered by your universities and institutions What better opportunity to experience a new culture through short term exchange or internship programs (some of which are fully or partially sponsored).
For more information, you can log on to the below websites:-
www.macee.org.my/02_05_content.htm
www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/ASIA/irsepMalaysia/index.shtml
www.monash.edu.au/pubs/ugrad/exchange.html
www.u-bunkyo.ac.jp/en/exchange/index.html
www.uleth.ca/man-int/

c. Enrol in foreign languages courses offered by your universities or language centres
Learn to speak a foreign language. You can learn languages like Arabic, French, Russian, etc. Start early today

d. Know a foreigner friend
Get to know a foreign friend studying here. Discover their cultures and lifestyles. Be used by God to share the gospel.

e. Involve in Mission at door steps’ activities
We did have Nepalese cell group & service; International students fellowship in our church where you can join to build cross-cultural friendship with them. Besides, you can involve in contributing your time to teach in our English classes and etc offered to our Nepalese group.

e. Be prepared by serving in local church
While not many can go to a foreign land for missions, all of you can stay in Malaysia and serve in local missions. Be involved in your care groups to extend God's kingdom. This is the best way to prepare for missions in the future!

10. If I am going for a student exchange programs or internship organised by my school/ universities, how can maximize my trip?

You may contact us to find out which virgin cities we are focusing on for missions or where our existing churches/ pioneering groups are located. Try to apply for programs from the schools/ universities from these cities. Make as many friends as you can. Be a life testimony of Christ's love to them. Be completely humble to learn and serve the existing churches/ pioneering groups. Once you return, share your experiences with people from our church. Continue to keep in touch with these friends and share your life to them continually.

11. Is there special financial assistance from the church to help students for short mission trips?

Some financial assistance may be given to students specially commissioned to do a Short term Missions Trip. (eg. Monthly or quarterly mission trips to our mission towns) However, if you are recommended by church leaders for specific reasons, you may apply to Missions Department for permission to raise funds internally or externally for your trip. Students are encouraged to seek their parents' approval and support in advance as well as to start a saving plan early.

12. If I am planning for overseas studies while serving God in missions, where should I go? Should I go with a team?

Seek advice from your spiritual mentors about the city to go. This depends on your area of specialisation, language medium of the course (some courses may not be taught in English) and the cities we are focusing to land a team.

13. If this is my final year in my university or college and I have the heart to go for missions; what should I do to prepare myself?

First, share your heart desire with your leaders and seek advice from mission committees. Second, start to pray for the country or people group which God has put a strong burden in your heart. Then, start to get involve more actively in some mission trips (if you never join any); mission at door step activities (as stated above at question No. 9). In the mean time, continue to build a strong spiritual foundation through personal devotion with God; attending some mission classes (Vision for Nations; Perspective atc). Please contact us (mission department) if you need further explanation.