Believers Going Global

by Shawn Cohen

 

ADL grad Joe Martin challenges American Christians to broaden their perspective.

 

The world just got a little smaller. Years ago, learning a second language was a nice thought, an add-on elective offered only on a high school level. Now, schools across the United States are using foreign language instruction to prepare students to meet the demands of a globalized world in the coming decades.
For many Americans, globalization has meant leaving their roots in the United States and living abroad. Joe Martin, an accelerated distance learning grad, joined the expat community in Asia almost three years ago as an English instructor. Martin said of himself that moving to Asia “has been on my heart ever since I was young.” For security purposes, he requested that his exact location not be divulged.

 

 

Getting There

During his growing up years, Martin didn’t know how living in Asia was actually going to happen. His first exposure to the Far East came through teaching English camps in a region of the Far East that is different than where he is now. From the beginning, Martin has viewed his role in Asia as an opportunity to share Christ’s love with different Asian people groups. “These short term opportunities were where I started to open my eyes to the need,” he said.

 

 

Toward a Global Outlook

In fact, Martin feels that short term trips are a great way for Americans to break into international missions. “Maybe this is a strange way of thinking about it,” he said, “but short term trips are better for the people who go on them than for the recipients they are there to help.” Martin noted that teaching English overseas, for instance, “exposes you to another culture and helps you understand different perspectives on life.”
Martin also advises two other ways for Americans to develop a global outlook on life: prayer and financial giving. “Get to know people who are serving in different countries,” he said. “And when you invest money in something, your heart is more in touch with [the work] as well.”

 

 

What Is Ministry?

Having lived overseas for several years, Martin has developed a unique outlook on ministry. “If you define ministry as sharing the four spiritual laws, what I did [in the English camps] wasn’t necessarily ministry,” he said. “My ministry is more in serving people—I have the skill of speaking English that is in high demand so if [Asian] people are looking for help in this area, American Christians can reach out and build relationships by teaching English.”
Martin’s ministry outreach through English has born fruit. He mentioned an Asian teacher who recently started attending Christian study group after she moved from her hometown. “A lot of different people had talked with her about the gospel and she was very closed and not interested at all,” he said. “A couple of years later, she moved to [a large city] and joined a Bible study.” Martin noted that she still has a lot of unanswered questions but she is seeking the Lord.

 

 

What You Can Do!

For any Americans looking for adventure overseas, the English language company that employs Martin is currently seeking American instructors. “The company is owned by an Asian homeschooling dad,” he said. “We’re always looking for people who are interested in teaching for a year or two.” He also said that there are short term and summer opportunities available. If you want more information from Martin on teaching English in Asia, send him an email at

 

Shawn Cohen edits Acceleration each month and is a staff with Global Learning Strategies and a coach for CollegePlus! He completed his BA in English earlier this year.

 

Quick Links

Acceleration, December 2007: Americans Going Global!
Homeschool Friend: How American Homeschoolers Are Helping Koreans Learn English
Go to Peru in 2008!
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