“How often are you going to come and teach English to us in the mosque?”

After joining Global Frontier Missions on a short-term trip to Clarkston, a church in Tennessee returned home with a renewed perspective on missions, inspired to passionately pursue the Great Commission in their own neighborhood.

They visited a nearby mosque and initiated a conversation with the Imam, who quickly turned into a friend. After a relationship had been formed, the Imam asked the church group if they would be interested in teaching English classes in the mosque. This simple act of kindness opened the doors for spiritual conversations. Now, the church brings college students to the mosque regularly, and the Lord has opened the doors for incredible friendships that embody Jesus’ command to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31). 

In most cities around the country, there are groups of foreign-born immigrants, refugees and international students. Knowing who our neighbors are can nurture a deeper understanding of the Great Commission’s call to reach the nations. It’s just up to us to look for ways we can meet them and get involved in their lives.

Over the years, GFM has cherished the opportunity to host short-term teams in Clarkston with the vision to combine missions training and cross-cultural experiences in an incredibly diverse city. 

We know the lasting change happens when participants return home, because we know the richness that comes through investment in long-term relationships in our own communities. We want to see individuals and churches embrace the challenge to pray, welcome, go, send, and mobilize as a Great Commission lifestyle, rather than viewing these short-term mission trips as an experience to check off the list.