College Union

The following interview occurred on the field with Tammy, who has been serving for the last 8 years in India. For her security and the protection of an incredible ministry we will only use her first name and the reference to her ministry in southern India.CU: How many teams have you hosted during your tenure, and what percentage of them have been college students?

T: We have hosted close to 35 teams during my 8 years, with about 75% being college age.

CU: What are your primary reasons for hosting an American team?

T: I feel like it is part of my call to invest in [the college-age] generation. Their visit to India is an opportunity to introduce them to a part of Jesus’ heart that is difficult to experience in America.

I also host American teams, not to give them a project, but to give them an opportunity to join our family.

I’m interested in students who may have a life long call to missions. Students dealing with such a call can have a “real” experience here, and see an untainted example of missionary life. I desire that those students would see an “unromanticized” picture of missions.

Hosting teams has a natural feel to it because I feel the Lord has relationally given me a platform with college students. They listen, receive challenge, and are so open.

CU: What are the most common presuppositions students must overcome?

T: The idea that they are coming to save, to serve, and the change [other people]. They need to come as “learners”, and not as “teachers.”

Students and teams have to move past the “scrapbook mentality” - India 2006! The experience here is something that should become a part of them, internalized.

Moving past “task oriented” and “performance oriented” missionary work. Many of my fellow missionaries are saying that such a focus is dying. What India needs is a prayer movement to change the spiritual climate of the country. I often phrase it to groups in this way - ‘instead of building a hut, they must come to build the kingdom of God through prayer and worship.’

The new style is not crusades or building huts - but the “building” is prayer and worship. Ministries and missions need people praying for them, praying with them, and asking God to move on their behalf - and to break through in their country.

CU: Which challenges are most difficult for our U.S. students?

T: Not the physical challenges, like food, hardship, and cold showers. They simply don’t know who to pray and how to worship. They can’t pray for hours at a time, because they have not prayed with this intensity before.

Leaving “home” behind is difficult for them - such as email and instant messenger. Because most countries are wired this way now, they find it too easy to spend their time this way. They have a tough time being “all here”, and being fully present.

Taking opportunities to be inquisitive. Whether distracted or passive many teams miss the grand opportunity to hear stories. The missionary experience opens doors to learn about the history of a particular work and the call of the missionary. If missions are going to be relational, both students and the team as a whole should move past themselves to inquire and hear stories.

CU: What are the determining factors in accepting a team for a visit?

T: A strong leader in relationship with me and my ministry. A strong worship leader.

An even number of guys and girls, with a total of 8 to 10 team members.

CU: How much time is needed to prepare a student team for India?

T: The preparation happens through prayer. Usually 3 months to a semester of meetings is essential. The priority of the group’s time should be spent in prayer and worship - taking about 75% of the team time for prayer and worship and the other 25% for the practical details of the trip.

The other crucial detail for preparation with our groups involves a visit by our pre-trip liaison. The visit helps shape the heart and mind of the team members and gives the group further guidance on the centrality of prayer and worship during the India experience.

CU: In regards to team leaders, what makes quality leadership?

T: A leader who knows the needs of the mission before the needs have become obvious. When those in charge of the team can anticipate such needs, then the missionary, the staff and even the team itself will have a richer experience.

I look for decisiveness, flexibility, and solid decision making.
Greg Haseloff is in his 6th year as Director of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Tech. gregh@ttuwesley.org

Categories: Missio Dei
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