The concept of missions volunteers stirs questions in many people’s minds about whether it is worth the money and effort involved to bring them to the field. But missions-minded church leaders promote the value of volunteers.
“Volunteerism is a relatively new concept,” said Peggy Alums, who assists her husband , Rusty, as volunteer coordinator for Spain. “We work with many ho have never traveled or served outside the United States in a foreign environment, culture or language,” she said.
“We want their experience to be user-friendly, and we want them to maintain ties with missions in Spain or continue to share their testimonies in some other missions field,” Alums explained.
After experiencing volunteer missions, most volunteers feel a new confidence in sharing their testimony whether in their neighborhood, church or office, she said.
“Volunteers work very hard and make new friends, both in Spain and in Alabama. I think they also work in some new experiences like riding the Metro (subway system), bus, train, plane and eat interesting new foods,” Alums said. “They also see sights they may have never imagined seeing and learn to appreciate their church family and the opportunity they get at church to be spiritually nourished and encouraged.”
David and Susie Dixon, Southern Baptist missionaries in Sam Sebastian de los Reyes, just north of Madrid, said the missions teams are usually dazed when they first arrive, but they are bubbling over with excitement. Their hearts connect with the people here. By the time they leave, it is a tearful time.
“The group also grows closer together,” Mrs. Dixon noted. “They learn to depend on the Lord more, participate in witnessing more and have hearts that are more sensitive to Him.”
“Missions trips are where many feel called to the ministry,” Dixon added.
Emmanuel Buch, pastor of First, Madrid, said working with volunteers encourages the local churches.
Several pastors noted that the success of one team at a church can determine whether the church will participate in volunteer missions again.
Still, “the question has been raised if efforts would be more effective if volunteers merely sent money to Spain,” said Reggie Quimby, director of global partnerships for the State Board of Missions.
“But by just sending money, the individual volunteers have no personal contact.
“I’ve heard some say on the missions field they could do better if we would just send the money and leave the missionaries home, but that would take away the mandate of what the Scripture says,” he said.
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