Missionaries know that in order to reach people with the gospel, they must be willing and able to speak their language.

This applies to reaching and equipping the upcoming generation as well. Brian Deringer, international director of Global Support Ministries for Mission to the World (MTW),  stresses the need to “get to know the heart and motivations” of Generation Y Christians, noting that they share several common characteristics, including a willingness to take risks and a desire to get their hands dirty.

“The Gen Y group is now of the age to take their place as leaders,” he said. “We want to adjust in order to embrace them into the MTW family.”

To that end, MTW is working through a number of new initiatives to reach the next generation of missionaries:

• MTW’s new EDGE program, designed especially for Gen Y participants, will allow those who desire a stripped-down missions experience to live more closely with those to whom they minister. Featuring lower support costs and hands-on ministry, EDGE is a two-year missions experience that will be offered in addition to current intern, short-term, and career missionary tracks. Its goal is to adopt the simplest lifestyle possible, and to use it as radical lifestyle evangelism. (go@mtw.org)
• MTW and Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), the PCA’s campus ministry, are partnering to reach, teach, and equip college and university students. Through its short-term trips, MTW is providing opportunities for RUF students to understand and participate in missions. And RUF is providing a base of students to go on these trips, with the hope that some will eventually discover missions as a calling. (To view an article and a video about this partnership, visit www.mtw.org and click on the Network link.)
• MTW’s new micro website, “Go Global,” showcases young people who are engaging in missions. Viewers can read comments, watch videos, and stay abreast of the latest opportunities for Gen Y. (http://GoGlobal.MTW.org)

“Soon, a majority of the world’s population will be age 25 or younger,” said Deringer. “We want to mobilize Generation Y as well as reach them—who better to reach young people than young people.”