Teaching English as a Second Language Builds Relationships

While the new generation of missionaries is preparing for future ministry, some of the effects of their way of thinking are already adjusting methods on many fields. New ministries are being added to various teams’ outreach strategies. Teaching English has become an effective evangelistic tool all over the world.

The Bridges summer project in Hungary has been an effective outreach for five years. Ruth Rust coordinates the Bridges program for the Hungary team. She comments, “Every summer volunteers are recruited from various colleges and churches to teach in the three week English course in various towns and cities in Hungary. The ministry of teaching English actually utilizes the areas that are normally a hindrance for short-term involvement: the language barrier and cultural differences. It has a long-term impact because it is based in a local Hungarian church and allows that church to build and continue relationships within the community.”

Emily recently spent several months in China teaching English. Her experience not only challenged her heart for future career involvement in missions, but she had many opportunities to display a Christian testimony. “What an unbelievable privilege it was to teach English as a second language (ESL) in Asia! The Lord allowed me to experience a fascinating culture while establishing friendships. Many have lived in poverty for so long that now they are eager to learn English in order to further their professional careers. We were able to interact with students on a personal level by participating in weekly ‘English corners’ where people could come to meet us, the foreigners. As we taught in schools, we built many relationships with staff as well as students. We have seen several staff members believe in Christ as a result of these relationships.”

"Edumission” is the ESL Course led by a Korean pastor who lives in Australia. His family was sent from Korea to Sydney to reach out to Muslims settled in that city. The Edumission program is staffed by people from area churches – lay people, pastors, and missionaries. The program includes a Bible story as part of the reading and class participation each week. It has provided contacts with many cultures, including Muslims, and has opened up witnessing opportunities, especially among the more advanced classes. ABWE missionary Alan Mayhak assists in the class periodically. He writes about one class with “a dozen men and women from Japan, China, Korea, Turkey, and Lebanon. One was a translator from Japanese into Chinese for business meetings. Now he wants to learn English while recovering from back surgery.”

Brian and Pam Eichelberger are serving short-term in Czech Republic. They have had ongoing opportunities in a couple of English classes in their village. Brian and Pam have been able to describe the differences between Christianity and other religions in the world as well as participate in discussions on philosophy and marriage relationships. Brian desires to challenge them “to be as open to the language of God as they are to the English language.”

Rick Caynor, ABWE’s Director for Student Mobilization, reports that ESL programs are in high demand in SE Asia. National partners in Thailand have told Rick that 80% of the new believers in their church plants have come through English classes and Bible studies.

These and many other reports from missionaries around the world are showing incredible opportunities to build relationships with people – through the method of teaching English.

Back to Top	Respond to this Article Email Article to a Friend Print this Article