May 16, 2022

The Importance of Being Present

Alliance international workers explain what it means for them to be present with the people they serve

For Alliance international workers, being present is everything. They have answered the call to go and make disciples among the lost and overlooked in some of the world’s toughest places. Nothing is more vital than gospel presence, and our workers carry the presence of Jesus with them as they proclaim the gospel in word and deed.

This spring, we asked our international workers what it means for them to be present among the communities they serve. This article is a compilation of some of their answers.

For us, being present means meeting basic needs, giving medical care, and showing compassion, dignity, and the love of Jesus daily to hundreds or thousands of internally displaced people who live in camps around the trash landfill in our city. 

For me, being present means teaching third graders how to multiply and kindergarteners sight words in a one room schoolhouse in the jungle while their parents train and disciple missional surgeons and nurses in the hospital across the street. 

— by an international worker in Africa

For us, being present means meeting basic needs, giving medical care, and showing compassion, dignity, and the love of Jesus daily to hundreds or thousands of internally displaced people who live in camps around the trash landfill in our city. We are able to be present when crisis happens, when tragedy strikes, and when there seems to be no hope. We are bringing them the hope, in tangible and relational ways, being light in the darkness. To God be the glory!

— by international workers in West Africa

For me, being present means bringing my local friends along for the ride as I use the gifts that the Lord has given me to begin programs that teach sustainable agriculture. As we work together, they learn valuable skills and they, in turn, teach me the local language and culture. Deep friendships have formed in my life in this way, and we are beginning to see fruit from these seeds that have been planted over time! 

— by an international worker in West Africa

For our team, being present means sitting around a table and drinking tea with our friends. This is part of the way in which we are able to share stories of our Lord and Savior. 

— by international workers in Central Asia

For our team, being present means sitting and crying with believers who face persecution from their family and friends. During this time, being present shows Central Asian believers that they have a community that is stronger than family bonds.

— by an international worker in Central Asia

Being present in Tokyo during the pandemic has meant renting a garden plot in order to be visible in the community, to engage in an outdoor activity where we can meet people, to position ourselves as learners, and to connect with our neighbors by sharing our abundance of produce.

— by an international worker in East Asia

For me, being present in Mongolia means being a physical sign of the Kingdom in our neighborhood and city, whether neighbors or strangers understand our presence or not. Being present in Mongolia makes more prayer for this place happen in me and those who support our ability to be here. It may not seem like a privilege to be present here every day, but we do thank God that we get to represent Jesus, King of Kings, in this corner of Asia. I feel most alive in His presence when coaching kids and coaches to be better basketball players and believers, and I am witnessing growth. 

— by an international worker in East Asia

For us, being present means equipping the Thai church to raise up effective lay leaders in local churches, which will help these churches to continue to grow and raise up the next generation of leaders. This will strengthen and help churches to be healthy and produce lasting fruit.

— by international workers in Southeast Asia

For me, being present is crying together with my refugee friend as we pray and ask God to provide solutions to impossible problems.

— by an international worker in Southeast Asia

For us, being present means sharing the burdens that migrant workers carry, letting them know they are not alone in this foreign land and that there are people and a Savior who loves them.

— by international workers in Europe

For us, being present means doing life with people. One day, it is by connecting with owners of an IT start-up as a way to impact the lives of driven young people who are far from Christ. Another day, it is by encouraging an older brother who is going through cancer treatment to sing on the church’s music team for the first time.

— by international workers in Europe

For me, being present is crying together with my refugee friend as we pray and ask God to provide solutions to impossible problems.

For me, being present means recognizing and acting upon the needs of the people around me in the creative-access country where I serve. By showing them love in practical ways, I’m showing them a bit of who Jesus is.

— by an international worker in Europe

For us, being present means showing God’s love in practical ways in order to establish trust and intentionally building relationships that will support the weight of the gospel in the most secular country in Latin America.

— by international workers in Latin America

For us, being present means being available, being a servant, and being a safe place for Middle-Easterners to express their needs, doubts, hopes, and questions to, engage in those things, and call them into a transformative relationship with Emmanuel.

— by international workers in the Middle East

For me, being present means being there in the mess. At times, it might mean being an anchor for your friends and other times, you may need to be vulnerable and open about your own failures. 

— by an international worker in the Middle East

For me, being present means being here in this creative-access location, faithfully scattering seeds with cultural awareness and contextual sensitivity. When the grain is ripe, I am ready to harvest it. 

— by an international worker in the Middle East


When you give to the Great Commission Day Offering, you ensure that these workers continue to have a meaningful, impactful presence among the world’s least-reached people. Click here to learn more!


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