Professionals serve Christ in countries where He is least known
 By Doreen Hansen

With the motto "Professionals in Mission," Interserve Canada follows a 150-year-old tradition of fusing vocational skills and spiritual gifts to serve the unreached in the Middle East and Asia, where having a technical sideline can be a very useful. "Certainly we have something to offer in terms of the gospel," says David Stevens, speaking in Victoria recently.

Stevens works with Interserve Canada and is Cultural Anthropology instructor at Prairie Bible College. "But in terms of building relationships we need something people are interested in, in order to initiate a relationship."

Founded in 1852, Interserve is the oldest interdenominational, international mission agency in the world. It was founded and run entirely by women for its first hundred years.
Today hundreds of Christian professionals from 25 nations in over 50 occupations minister in hard-to-reach countries by working on direct contract to government and private institutions.
Like the apostle Paul who earned a living by making tents, these modern ‘tentmakers’ work in secular jobs and witness cross-culturally.

Interserve works in countries where millions of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists live. Although many are closed to missionaries, the demand for people with ‘nation-building’ skills – doctors, nurses, teachers, computer specialists, business entrepreneurs, carpenters, engineers, secretaries, veterinarians – is high.
Growing up in Victoria, David says he sensed an early calling to serve God overseas. During college, David and his wife Carol embarked on several short-term mission projects to countries that were poor and in need of foreign aid. They returned to Canada and pursued vocational studies that would benefit those less fortunate both economically and spiritually.
"We went on into our professional training with the perception of how we could train ourselves to be useful in mission work," says Carol, a physiotherapist. "Once you see the needs and realize that you can do something to get involved, it changes your life."

Interserve offers both long and shortterm experiences tailored to one’s age, skills and experience. Short-term experiences, called "On Track" vary from one to twelve months and are ideal for students, mid-career professionals, and retirees. Long-term opportunities last two or more years, depending on God’s calling and the host employer.

The Stevens served in Nepal for 15 years, where David worked in community development with United Mission to Nepal, an umbrella agency for groups like Interserve. Carol taught literacy to Nepalese women while raising the couple’s two children, Laura and Ben. The Stevens approached their Nepali neighbours through practical service and genuine friendship.
Although the practice of all religions is allowed in Nepal, conversion and proselytizing are prohibited. People who convert to Christianity often face social ostracism and violence. Nevertheless, Nepal has one of the fastest growing Christian populations and there are more than half a million Nepalese Christians, up from 50,000 a decade ago.

But remember – vocational ability isn’t the ultimate credential nor the ultimate preparation for this kind of work. A humble, Christ-like desire to serve others must be present.

"The thing that made the difference in our community and in our relationships was not so much the job that I did, Interserve partners David and Carol Stevens (with children Laura and Ben) are passionate about cross-cultural missions. "You experience so much and there’s so much richness… It’s not what you’re giving up, it’s what you gain." But missions isn’t for everyone, especially those who value self-interest over collective human development. "Some people are really keen on evangelism but aren’t concerned about people and their personal needs," explains Carol. "To them it’s all about telling, not showing."
She says missionaries who are truly successful "are really down to earth, practical people, who are caring and relate to people well."

The Stevens’ admit serving in a hard and often risky country carries its share of trials, but the rewards are great. "People everywhere are deep down the same," says Carol. "They hurt, they laugh, they care desperately for their families… There are far more similarities than differences."

"That’s why there’s so much value in doing cross-cultural missions work," adds David. "You experience so much and there’s so much richness.

For more information on Interserve Canada, view www.hardplaces.ca
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