My Top Five Mission Organizations (in no particular order)

1. Gospel for Asia

Through Gospel for Asia, founded and directed by K.P. Yohannan, the Gospel is spread through the use of native missionaries. Instead of paying big bucks for leisurely Americans to go to other countries, GFA trains converts to be missionaries to their own people in their own languages. Americans and other spoiled nations can then financially support these missionaries or even their "Bridge of Hope" children for a measely amount, 100% going directly to the missionary or child of your choice. If you can't afford monthly, then you can just buy a bike for a native missionary to use for the spread of the Gospel!

2. Operation Mobilization International

OM offers short-term and long-term mission trips to all who are willing. Their ships, in particular, not only spread the Word, but also offer practical help, whether medical, educational, or for survival. They are one of the most internationally spread mission organizations in existence. Thank you George Verwer!

3. Open Doors

In a phrase: to serve and support the persecuted church. This is the mission of Open Doors (all for the glory of Christ, of course). It's all about prayer and the Word. As the churches who are being persecuted are spreading the good news, Open Doors encourages and relieves our courageous brothers and sisters through multiple facets. Brother Andrew, who founded the organization, still continues to fight in many dangerous nations for the believer's right to worship the one true God.

4. New Tribes Mission

New Tribes plants churches in previously unreached areas. They do not force our culture or language on these tribes, but simply teach Biblical truth in its purest, un-Americanized form in the tribes' own languages (which you can imagine is a challenge). Trained pilots can be a part of the Mission Aviation division, which allows the Gospel to reach more places; you can take part in short-term or long-term missions, or you can decide to teach missionary children (MK's) while the students' parents are working in the ministry.

5. Compassion International

Though a little different from Gospel for Asia's "Bridge of Hope" program, Compassion International does cover more territory. You can sponsor a child or children for a small amount each month from many, many countries. This monthly cost pays for food, shelter, education, medical needs, etc. for the child; and we all know that the education of the next generation will help get these countries into better shape... hopefully. Compassion also maintains a focus on children suffering from the AIDS epidemic, which has devastated more than one continent. All this from Everett Swanson trying to help a South Korean orphanage!