monthly focus ~ what is a missions home party

WHAT IS A MISSIONS HOME PARTY?

A Home Party starts with a host who invites other Christians who are interested in missions and gives them a chance to meet a missionary family in an informal, friendly setting.  Usually the Home Party is in the home of the host.  The responsibility of a host is to introduce their friends to a missionary, provide some sort of refreshment and generally be the go between for the invited guests and the missionary family.  Those that are invited will generally come to the home of the host, but not necessarily the home of the missionary or even a church where the missionary may be making a presentation.  The guests will come with the knowledge that the missionaries are not only friends of the host but that they are seeking funds to go or return to their particular field.

The responsibility of the missionary is to get acquainted with those invited and to share with them in various ways the field of ministry and in particular their area of service. The missionary may teach them some words in the native language, play some simple games from their country,  share some typical food, give a visual presentation of the ministry.  In short…present their guests with interesting and informative facts about the ministry God has placed His hand on them to do.

During the evening they will make known their financial needs and share ways in which the guests can participate in the missionaries’ lives.  The offer is also made to those attending to host their own Home party with their Christian acquaintances, friends, and business associates that have an interest in missions.  Thus, the network of people grows for the missionary and not only are more folks praying, but more are challenged to give. 

How about throwing a Home Party for your favorite missionary?  It’s easy and will make a difference for both missionary and your guests.

Thanks to Valdez and Shari Coelho, EBM appointees to Brazil, for providing information for this article.  For more information about a Missions Home Party, contact Valdez and Shari Coehlo   vcoelho@ebm.org