Now that your are a missionary, many new and varied relationships will begin for you from which you will
never be completely free, neither here at home nor on your field of service. One of the most important matters
which you will immediately face, and with which you will have vital contact, is that of public relations.
We shall seek to be of help to you both in your personal and private life, as well as your general and public,
ministries as a Missionary. There must inevitably come a time in which the purpose that will take the missionary
into these areas, and that will find expression in any or all of these:
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1. To enlist the interest of others– Luke 10:2
A. There is plenteous harvest and the laborers are so few.
B. A spiritual ministry is vital.
C. A sane message is important.
D. A sure method is essential.
2. To enroll prayer helpers—I Thessalonians 3:1; Ephesians 6:18-20
A. Be sincere in your requests.
B. Be sensible in your appeal.
C. Be specific in your presentation.
3. To engage faith partners on your behalf– I Corinthians 9:7-8; II Corinthians 9:6-15; Philippians 4:10-17
A. Emphasize God’s work as a partnership for all.
B. Explain God’s will as including each in his own place.
C. Exalt God’s Name giving Him all glory and praise.
4. To underwrite a full and future ministry– Acts 13:1-3
A. They must be sent forth but the Holy Spirit.
B. They must be sent out by the local church.
C. They must be sent onward by the cooperation of many.
Strange as it may seem, the whole matter of the missionary’s public relations actually begins with his contacts
with individuals whom he will meet in the home, church, school, office, or in general deputation. He
should never forget that his personal life, testimony, and influence, as a missionary, is never to be underestimated.
We begin, then, with consideration of this matter:
Upon a Personal Level to Individuals
To the average individual the missionary is the mission. Individuals are never to be lost in the multiplicity of
churches or other groups.
Individual contact will be the most frequent and important made by the missionary, and the reaction of the
individual may often mark the difference between success or failure so far as support of the work or the
worker is concerned. Individuals hold the offices of pastor, deacon, trustee, Sunday School superintendent
or teacher, missionary group leaders, and these personal contacts are vital and important. Right relations
here reap the fruit of cooperation and partnership.
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On a Church Level– Acts 14:27
• The missionary maintains a vital relationship to the local church under EMI policy.
• He must be a member of a local New Testament Baptist Church.
• He must be commissioned by this same church for his work as a missionary.
• His support will come, mostly, from local churches.
• His prayer and faith backing will be local church centered.
• His work on the field will, in a very vital and real sense, be an extension of the local church who sent
and helped him to get there.
• His future ministry is incessantly linked to the continuing interest of local churches.
• It is the local church to whom he goes for presentation, propagation, enlistment, and support.
• Presentation is the foremost aspect of public relations here, whether in deputation work, missionary
conferences, or personal ministry in the pulpit (II Timothy 2:15.
Regarding Church Splits and Difficulties:
Missionaries often involve themselves in church disputes and such involvement often hinder their effectiveness
and hurt the testimony of their Mission Agency. Difficulties are usually along the following lines:
1. Siding with a factor in the church against the pastor.
2. Allowing one’s self to be quoted concerning conditions in the church.
3. Unwise correspondence with the pastor or members of the church, concerning church affairs.
4. Forming special “prayer groups” within the church, if the pastor or the board is not “co-operative” in
furthering the missionary’s ministry.
5. Writing to a relative or friend in the church about delay in support and related matters which may put
the church officers in a bad light.
It requires great wisdom on the part of the missionary to remain neutral, when difficulties arise in a church
and efforts may be made by one side or the other to get the missionary to express himself. This involvement
is to be avoided at all costs. As church difficulties so often revolve around personalities, it is not usually a
question of one side being all right and the other all wrong. If matters that would compromise the faith or
the testimony are involved, the missionary will have to decide where and when the point is reached that he
should break away. This should be done quietly and taken kindly.
EMI believes that we should encourage and help pastors and churches, since the position of the church is
one of greatest importance, and does not want to be known as advocating church splits and difficulties, nor
are our missionaries to be involved in such activities.
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In The Pulpit:
Appearance:
• Dress conservatively and modestly.
• Decorum to be sober and serious.
• Delivery to be enthusiastic, factual, Scriptural, and spiritual.
Approach:
• Explain presence (How)
• Explain purpose (Why)
• Expose program (What)
Address:
• Exposition not expected—Present your field.
• Experience is accepted—Testimony always of interest.
• Exclude begging approach—finances on faith basis.
Alternative:
• Illustrated presentation—slides, movies, flannel-graph, etc.
• Informative presentation—Maps literature, curios, etc.
• Inspirational presentation—Music, records, tapes, etc.
Must not forget that in relation to the church, the missionary exercises a ministry, renders a service, looks
for support, and accomplishes a propagation of his own field, and of EMI.
Directly tied into the orbit of the church is that of the home to which the missionary is directed for entertainment,
meals, testimony, and ministry. Here attitudes and decorum are not casually observed, but rather
rigidly considered. Hence, public relations extended to the home are as important as they may be in the
church.
Before you arrive:
1. Be methodical, when planning appointments.
2. Be punctual, in keeping appointments.
3. Be considerate, in canceling appointments.
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After you arrive:
1. Be discreet.
2. Do not monopolize conversation.
3. Do not manifest criticism—especially of other Mission Agencies and other missionaries (Ours or theirs)
Be Neat:
1. Be neat in your Person, habits, and effects.
Be Sweet:
1. Exude the joy of the Lord.
2. Entertain interested children.
3. Engage in household chores.
When you are leaving and having left:
1. Do not inconvenience hosts—(do not arrange flights in such a way that they would be required to take
you to the terminal in the middle of the night).
2. Do not neglect thanks—a card to follow or a personal note. Do not forget courtesy—in all things.
On a School Level– Acts. 19:9
Doors may open to the missionary into schools. Some will be outside the area of Christian Schools. All of
them afford a wonderful opportunity to reach young people, capture their interest, present the fields of
needs, and leave a personal influence to produce fruit in added labors through the years to come. Enlistment—
new workers and missionaries come very frequently from school contacts. Propaganda—promoting
missions and presenting the fields constitutes vital missionary information. Schools are open areas for the
missionary already alerted to their value. Information—is always acceptable and desired. The atmosphere
off the school calls for it, and the missionary must be prepared to provide it.
On a Government Level– Acts 22:2-30; 23:11; 27:24:
Public relations, by the very nature of the case, sooner or later brings the mission into contact with government.
Passports, visas, and travel regulations are involved. Customs and immigration departments must be
met. Taxes and property holding rights cannot be evaded. The missionary will increasingly find himself
with government officials and government regulations. He must learn many things, if his regulations with
government are to help and not hinder his work on the field or his return to the field. Tact, consideration,
and right attitudes are important especially in this area of contact. Read, study, learn, and prepare for this
part of your missionary ministry. Testimony need not be hidden when dealing with government, but tact
will make it palatable. God can give favor with men and governments.
On A General Level:
The missionary is largely his own promotion agent. There are many things which friends, pastors,
churches, and EMI can do for the missionary, but after all is said and done, he must be his own promoter
with the enablement and help of the Holy Spirit. There is a time for quite retirement, but there is also a
time for humble advance. Speaking in general terms, the Missionary, in all these areas of opportunity, must
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A few simple rules that will repay in both spiritual and material dividends.
In Making Contacts:
• Solicit the assistance of your pastor.
• Seek the aid of schoolmates and friends.
• Follow up personal and other contacts.
Acknowledging Courtesies:
• Be prompt.
• Be brief.
• Be appreciative.
• Be sincere.
In Answering Correspondence:
• Consider none too trivial.
• Compliment writer on interest.
• Complete matters early.
In Seeking Cooperation:
• Expect some rejections.
• Realize other missionaries are in the field, also.
• Recognize your limitations and stay within them.
In Spiritual Publicity:
There are two specific fields open to the missionary in this realm. We have covered them in detail in this
booklet. They are: Prayer letters and Prayer Cards.
In Conclusion:
There are a few matters which come under the heading of Miscellaneous.
Your Will:
You should have a clearly defined, current Will, drawn up in the State of your legal residence. Do this very
soon with the help of a reputable lawyer. Give copies to people your lawyer recommends ( We will be glad
to file one for you), and keep one yourself.
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Absentee Ballot for Americans:
In order to vote in a Presidential election by Absentee Ballot, you must request such a Ballot at least three
(3) months in advance of an election, from the election commissioner where you last voted (check with your
State authorities). If you have not previously voted, then, it will be impossible to establish the necessary
residential requirements while overseas.
Deputation Meetings:
BE— ATTITUDES—For God-honoring Deputation Ministry:
1. BE NEAT: Be modest but avoid appearing old-fashioned. Be up-to-date but not extreme. Your appearance
is important.
2. BE PROMPT: Be on time for every meeting. If it is a speaking appointment, arrive in time to check
with the pastor. He may have a meal planned. You should be in the auditorium at least 30 minutes before
the service begins. Study your map. Be sure of the directions you are to go. Ascertain the number
of miles you are to travel and allow for emergencies.
3. BE INTERESTED: Show an interest in the people to whom you are to speak. Ask the pastor questions
which will indicate your concern for his work. Encourage him—he probably needs it.
4. BE PRAYERFUL: The preparation of your message should be bathed in prayer. Make it a point to
have a time of prayer with the pastor before the service. If he does not initiate the idea, you can tactfully
suggest that you feel the need of prayer before going into the service.
5. BE CONSCIENTIOUS: Do not allow lesser things to rob you of proper heart preparation. The Lord’s
ministry through you is closely related to His ministry to you. Communion is the basic of communication.
Fellowship is the foundation of fruitfulness. Take your choice—fellowship or frustration.
6. BE WINSOME: People draw conclusions about you, before you speak. Let your enthusiasm show
through. A smile is contagious.
7. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE: Have plenty of facts at your fingertips. Your message should show that you
have a deep and studious interest in the country and people to whom you are going. There is no excuse
for ignorance of your field.
8. BE CREATIVE: there are numerous ways to add interest to your message. Slides, a map, a blackboard,
flash cards, or some curios may help. Practice telling stories, illustrations, or experiences about
which you are going to speak.
9. BE BIBLICAL: But do not put all your weight on timeworn texts. There are many Scriptures applicable
to missions. Come up with something fresh.
10. BE POSITIVE: Do not be problem conscious—be power conscious. Do not look only at the shadows,
remember the sunshine. Do not invoke pity but rather emphasize your opportunities. People are not
moved by a poor suffering missionary. People want to be a part of a first-class operation that is reaching
and accomplishing their goals.
11. BE HUMBLE: There is no place for arrogance in the life of a representative of the Lord. Meekness
and graciousness adorn the servant as well as the doctrine of God. You are just a sinner saved by God’s
Grace.
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12. BE ETHICAL: Whether you are allotted five minutes or fifty minutes, stick to the time given to you. If
you are given a time schedule of the speakers, and you are to speak for 30 minutes, and the speaker before
you takes ten minutes of your time be sure you are through when it is time for the next speaker or activity.
In other words, take no time past your scheduled time. Where financial matters are involved, be open, accurate,
frank, and honest. Do not steal time and do not make money your master. If you present a project or
financial need be specific, but do not beg.
13. BE READY: You may find the church has more assignments for you than originally planned. Be prepared
to speak to any age group at any time. Do not underestimate the value of any opportunity.
14. BE OPTIMISTIC: The Christian Life is one of faith. It is your privilege, therefore, to believe God for
the accomplishing of something specific for His own glory in every meeting. Hold on to the hope with joy.
Rejoice in Him.
15. BE GRATEFUL: Leave every service with thanksgiving for the privilege that was yours of representing
Jesus Christ. In many cases, only eternity will reveal what the Lord did in the lives of your listeners,
whether or not the names of supporters or prayer partners were added to your list.
16. BE THOUGHTFUL: If you are placed in a home for meals or lodging, be helpful. Your interest in their
children or your willingness to wash dishes, run an errand, or fix a gadget ( Be sure you know what you are
doing or you will leave the wrong impression ), may accomplish more than your preaching. Your interest in
the correction and behavior of your children will be a testimony or a reproach to Christ. Avoid being selfcentered
and unsociable.
17. BE COURTEOUS: Thank-you notes are a part of Christian courtesy. Paul used them successfully. You
can, too.
18. BE FRIENDLY: Your friendly understanding and encouragement may be used of the Lord to meet
needs in others. Do not miss an opportunity to help a needy soul or assist a fellow believer.
19: BE SYSTEMATIC: Keep a careful record of the places in which you have spoken and the messages you
have brought. You may be invited back and a repeated message could cancel you out.
20. BE CHRIST-LIKE: Above all, MAGNIFY THE LORD.
FOLLOW-UP:
Acknowledge all offerings carefully and promptly, by a personal note or letter. Write your host/hostess,
promptly.
• Follow up is one of the most important things you can do to raise support. It should be done quickly
and professionally. You should include every church you visit on your prayer list that you think has
any interest in your ministry whatsoever. Have a positive attitude and expect people to support you and
often they will.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH SUPPORTERS:
Letters of Acknowledgement:
Your supporters have every right to expect a personal letter from you thanking them for their support. This
is a vital part of your ministry, an important line of communication.
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In view of the tax problem, utmost care should be taken in corresponding with your supporters, so that your
letter of acknowledgement may be shown to the Internal Revenue Service, if necessary, without leaving the
impression that the funds contributed for the work or EMI through its projects or through the representation
of missionaries are actually being received and treated as personal gifts when in effect such contributions
are distributed under the authority of EMI.
Prayer letters:
Your prayer letter is the main link between you and those who pray and financially support you and your
work. This letter can be one of the most significant means of encouraging increased prayer and support. If
you fail to faithfully, regularly, and frequently keep your praying friends at home informed, you will be
loser in not only financial assistance, but also in important prayer support. Your Christian friends are only
human, and without regular reminders from you and pertinent information on which to focus their prayers,
their intercession for you will probably lag. The prayer support of friends at home is vital, and largely depends
upon your consistent contact with them.
The secret of an effective prayer letter is the personal element. When deciding upon the method of printing,
you should consider the most important factor, that of making it look as personal as possible. This will
greatly enhance its value. This not only applies to your method of printing, but also in the addressing, personal
signature, and friendly language with which you clothe your letter.
We present the following simple outline of basic direct-mailing principles as applied to missionary prayer
letters:
To Whom Shall We Mail?
Individual contributors
Interested and supporting churches
Pastors and other missionaries
Friends who express their desire to receive your letters
Any others for whom there is a special reason
What shall we Mail?
Mail Prayer Letters regularly, promptly, and directly. Six mailings a year is a minimum for the missionary
who is depending upon friends at home for active prayer support. Always have a definite purpose, when
writing your letters. Always send a copy to the Home Office and to your director. This is mandatory!
How to Mail?
Remember, since the effectiveness of direct mail is its personal touch, the more you can personalize your
letter the more effective it will be. It gives the reader the feeling that here is a personal word which you
want him to know. Be sure our letters are always personally signed. Do not use a signature stamp; it is not
personal enough. Check the post office for methods of sending bulk mail. Choose the mailing method which
will serve you best. After you get to your field, you may wish to mail your letter from there. Remember that
a foreign stamp in your reader’s mailbox adds interest and intrigue, as well as giving it a personal touch.
Identify yourself as a missionary or applicant of Evangelism Missions, Incorporated, P.O. Drawer 550,
Thorsby, Alabama 35171. Use your first name for the signature if you wish, but be sure your full name is
plainly written somewhere on your letter.
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