How can I get involved in missionary work?
There are so many ways for you to become involved in sharing your faith--the list is limited only by your imagination. The Adventist Church's youth department, for instance, has been promoting a wide variety of missionary projects for personal and group witnessing, and many of these may be available in your area. These include: door-to-door witnessing; prison ministry; Mother’s Day evangelism; Voice of Youth campaigns; Bible study groups; "Youth to Youth" and "Youth Alive" programs; Plaza Evangelism; Bibleinfo.com electronic evangelism (which is available in 14 languages); witnessing parades; singing groups; "Impact a City" evangelism; University AMiCUS projects; literature distribution; public health projects; Vacation Bible Schools; "Operation Rose Shower" in hospitals and foster homes; and, video/DVD evangelism.
Or if you’re interested in living in another country and sharing your faith within a different culture there are also opportunities for you. The church’s secretariat department has a volunteers’ office that provides young people with many opportunities to live and serve in another country. You can find out more about this at www.adventistvolunteers.org.
There are also worldwide initiatives you can become involved in, such as “Go One Million”, “Sow 1 Billion”, and the “Elijah Project".
Your first step should be to see what programs are already in place in your area. Depending on where you live, you can contact your Adventist Book Center, or go to your home church pastor and local conference leaders for ideas, projects, and resources. If there is nothing currently organized for you to get involved with, don't let that stop you! Offer your services in starting up an evangelistic effort in your local area.
How do I witness to my peers when they seem to have knowledgeable answers against all my beliefs?
This is a challenging situation. It's not unusual to meet people who hold ideas that are radically different to yours. And it's a fact of life that many of these people are educated, articulate, and well able to argue their points.
But remember that winning a debate with someone over some theological or philosophical point is not the only way to witness! In fact, academic point-scoring may be one of the least effective ways of sharing how Jesus has changed your life. The way we live is sometimes just as important as what we say about our faith. Are you reflecting the love of Jesus in the way you relate to others? Does the hope you have for the future shine through in your attitudes and choices?
At the same time, it's a good idea to think through what you believe. Don't just accept it as second-hand knowledge. If you feel challenged by others who seem to have all the answers, then use this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of your own faith. The apostle Peter advises us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV). Study your Bible, talk to God regularly in prayer, and ask your pastor or youth leader to recommend some good books that will help you develop a better understanding of the Bible and the teachings of your church.
The best way is to lead rather than follow. Get involved in activities where you can make friends, be a part of your community, and at the same time uphold your spiritual commitments. Community service, for instance, is a wonderful way of joining fully into the life of your neighborhood in a way that is also consistent with your faith. Perhaps you could organize a community clean-up day, volunteer at an assisted living home, or raise money for a local charity.
It’s also important to recognize that sometimes it may be impossible to “blend in” with your community. Sometimes you may need to tactfully decline invitations to certain events or activities. But if you are consistent in your beliefs and actions, if you always show love and acceptance for your neighbors, if you can be counted on to help out when others need you, then I don’t think you need to worry too much that your beliefs will offend others. On the contrary, it is more likely that your positive attitude will attract others, and maybe even raise some interest in the spiritual dimension of your life.
Let me answer your twofold question in one. Be a happy contagious Christian, and share your happiness in everything you say and do. Let others know about our Godand the joy of salvation through the way you live. The book Messages to Young People says, “Those who in everything make God first, and last, and best, are the happiest people in the world” (p. 38). Be sure toconvey that message to them whether in words or through your nonverbal communication. Remember that “you are a letter from Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:3, NIV) to the world.
Just as importantly,take care that others see that your beliefs are consistent with your actions. In other words, walk your talk. In the end, people respect individuals who know what they believe and who act on those beliefs.
Sometimes there’s a temptation to be less-than-humble in sharing our faith with others. But there is no easier way to alienate both friends and loved ones than by adopting a “know-it-all” attitude. Be a friend, be consistent, be loving, and look for opportunities to share how Jesus has changed your life and has given you hope for the future.
Finally, keep your eyes open, and ask the Lord for spiritual insight in order to be sure that you are the one who is influencing instead of been influenced in your friendships.