Curt Luthye, Work and Witness coordinator on the Caribbean Region, shares highlights of his work, and that of other volunteers. A graduate of Southern Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary, Luthye has served in this capacity for nearly four years. Work and Witness, part of the denomination's World Mission Department, facilitates the process for volunteers to participate in short-term mission work around the globe.

Q. What do you do as Work and Witness coordinator?

A. I recruit and train teams to do work in the Caribbean islands.

Q. What do you hope participants gain from their experiences?

A. I hope that they have a better world perspective and an increased awareness of things that are going on in the International Church. Ultimately, I hope they come back as better Christians.

Q. You have seen many teams come and go. What qualities do you find in a successful team?

A. Compromise and flexibility are the key factors in a good team. This includes a willingness to find out about the other culture, to adapt to what they are thinking and to identify with what the host group is expecting from the visitors.

Q. What common thread do you see in every good team?

A. Preparation is definitely a plus. One constant in all good teams is that they have a spiritual dimension. They either have a spiritual leader keeping the team focused so that whatever they do, they are doing it for the right reasons. Diligence and hard work are important team features. The best teams work hand-in-hand with locals, overcoming language barriers, communicating with smiles, and displaying strong work ethics.

Q. Why is Work and Witness important?

A. Work and Witness is the way that the Church of the Nazarene allows lay people from around the world experience what is going on in the International Church. Participants can become part of the global mission strategy for the church through Work and Witness. The program provides hands-on knowledge about what missionaries are doing. There is nothing like experiencing a worship service in another culture. It's wonderful!

Q. What are some specific ways that people grow, change, and have their worldviews expanded through W & W?

A. We had a man who went to Jamaica. Actually, his wife had signed up for a trip to work on a building there. At the last moment, she had some health problems and so her husband decided to go with her to make sure that she did not over-extend herself. During their time in Jamaica, the husband began to sense God moving on his heart. By the end of the week, he was testifying to an experience of entire sanctification and to a definite call for volunteer mission work or to a career in missions.

Q. What should people do when considering a Work and Witness trip?

A. Prepare, pray, and communicate with your host leader and with your own team members. Take time to find out who they are before you go. This will help with your team dynamics when you arrive on the site. Come with as few expectations as possible. Don't come trying to fix anything-and don't worry.

Q. What are some specific ways to prepare for such a trip?

A. The Internet is a wonderful resource because you can find information about the culture, language, currency, and more. Use the Internet to find answers to some of those basic questions. That's the cultural side. You definitely need to get into the Word for spiritual preparation. Find out stories about what God is doing in that country. Begin to pray for those people with whom you will be serving.

Holiness Today, July/August 2004

Please note: This article was originally published in 2004. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.