Calling Collaborators

Be a guest writer!

My favourite thing about Substack is the community. There have been so many great people I have met and interacted with.

It’s truly a blessing.

You may have noticed, I also love using my platform to promote other Substack writers. I am not worried if you have 23 subscribers or 30k subscribers. It’s just great to notice good writers and promote them. For some writers, it can be hard to break out their initial subscriber count bubble.

I was thinking how I can use this platform to promote missions and other writers simultaneously. Then I realised, “Collaborate!” If you are one of those writers who have had a hard time getting subscribers, this is your opportunity to get noticed here. But you could also be a writer with one of those fancy ticks next to your name. The main criteria is that you love missions or have had an experience in missions.

Could it be you?

I want to hear from Substack writers who have been involved in cross-cultural missions. It can be in a variety of ways:

• Long-term missionaries serving overseas.

• People who have done short-term missions abroad.

• Missionary kids.

• Witnessing to or serving the international community where you are (e.g. international students ministries).

• Supporting missionaries through sending, praying, training or financial support.

• Supporting mission agencies or missionaries in other ways (teaching MKs online, providing counselling for missionaries, etc.).

• Studying about missiology.

• Those preparing to be involved in missions.

• Those considering/praying about being involved in missions.

You don’t have to currently be involved either.

I am going to limit this opportunity to subscribers for now. I don’t imagine I will be inundated with responses, but it is to prevent me getting overwhelmed. It’s also a helpful step to ensure that you understand the Secret Missionary Substack, its aims and tone before responding. I want to make sure your writing is a good fit and our partnership benefits everyone.

Having said that, there’s very little to stop you hitting that button.

Pray

Ask God if you should respond to this call. Also, pray that God gives you wisdom in your response.

Some Prompts

Although there is freedom in what you write about, the main topic is your experience of missions.

Here are some questions that serve as prompts. You don’t have to answer all of them; you can just choose a few to focus on. You can also change the order of the questions if you want. (You can even write about something else entirely, but that would need further conversations.)

The only question you should answer is the last one (unless you are one of the few people who already know the answer for certain).

• Who are you on Substack (i.e. what do write about?)

• How are you/have you been involved in missions?

• How did God call you to be involved in missions?

• How has your involvement in missions impacted your faith?

• Why do you think being involved in missions is so important for Christians?

• What is your favourite memory from being involved in missions?

• What verse inspires your involvement in missions and why?

• What advice would you give to those considering involvement in missions?

• Where do you think the Secret Missionary is serving?

Tone and Style Guidelines

I’m not worried about it being polished or perfect. I do care about it being respectful, positive, uplifting and encouraging. It can be real and honest, but we speak the truth in love. If it doesn’t quite match the tone of this substack, don’t despair. I will work with you to get it there.

Send the answers to me

Then simply send the answers to me. If you have a photo you want to include, send that too. I will format it all and put it together.

I will also take a look at your Substack, to ensure we are a good fit together.

Then, I will add you as a guest writer. You will get an email or notification informing you of this. Simply accept the request.

I have no idea how many writers will respond. It may be 1. It may be 1,000. But I will try to keep you informed about what is happening my end.

I also completely understand that sending a direct message to someone online that hasn’t even shared their name or location can feel… well, creepy or inappropriate. So, feel free to ask someone else to be included in the messages. I won’t get upset if you need that to feel easier about the situation. I want you to be able to share about your missions experience without worrying if you’re accidentally joining a cult or doing something foolish.

Are You as Excited as I Am?

I’m extremely excited about where this might lead. I hope whether you’re someone who will be a contributor or a reader, this is something you can get behind.

Feel free to share this on your Substack. That way this call may reach those who are not yet subscribed to me. Also, you can mention people in the comments who you would like to collaborate with me.