I have begun to realize that many veteran missionaries have one fear in common. They are afraid that the next generation will not take the baton and finish the task of world evangelization. I remember being at a bonfire with my seminary missions professor and his wife as they – with tears in their eyes – shared this concern with me and several other college students. This experience, as well as others, has convinced me of the importance of influencing the younger generation, particularly with regard to cross-cultural missions.

The Mission Society’s mobilization department, for example, invests a significant portion of its time talking with college students, and we have been able to encourage some to consider a career in cross-cultural ministry. The mobilization department also has plans to visit several elementary and high schools in order to motivate young people to consider future service in missions. Here are a few things that you could do to encourage the younger generation to get involved in missions.

1. Invite a young person on a short-term missions trip. Be sure to include adequate training and cultural research. Short-term trips are still one of the top motivators for career missions service.

2. Add a five-minute, missions-focused prayer time to your Sunday school and/or youth group meeting. Look to current events, Operation World, or Window on the World to help you plan the prayer focus.

3. Lead your youth in Bible studies that have a missional focus.

4. Share biographical information about famous missionaries with your youth. This can be a real motivator as the youth see that God is able to use ordinary people who often have major challenges in life.

5. Encourage your youth to designate a portion of their allowance money to support a missionary or missionary family.

6. As you talk with young people about their futures, be intentional about mentioning missions as a legitimate career option.

7. Expose your youth to other cultures as much as possible. Take them to ethnic restaurants, cultural festivals, and diverse communities.

We here at The Mission Society are passionate about mobilizing the next generation to finish the task. With nearly two billion people who have yet to hear the gospel, there is much work to be done. Let us together motivate this next generation to be engaged in God’s mission. If we can be assistance to you, please give us a call: 1.800.478.8963, ext. 9036.

Richard Coleman is The Mission Society’s director of mobilization and candidacy.