We're a Team

My beloved friend, I commend you for your demonstration of faithful love by all that you have done for the brothers on their journey, even though they were strangers at the time. They have shared publicly with the congregation about the beautiful acts of love you have shown them. Now, if you would be so kind, send them on their way with a generous gift in a manner that would honor God. You see, it was their passion for the glory of the name of Christ that launched them out, and they’ve not accepted financial support from unbelievers. They are deserving of all the support we can give them because through our giving, we can partner with them for the truth.

– 3 John 5-8 TPT

The Lord’s work can be challenging and discouraging. The enemy wants to discourage any ministry that is effective. These people come to us as strangers but leave as partners when we support them through finances, prayer, and communication, providing moral and spiritual support.
The “sender” is the basis of global partnerships. Neal Pirolo, in his book Serving as Senders, quotes a statement made at an Urbana Conference, “In secular war, for every one person on the battlefront, there are nine others backing him up in what is called the ‘line of communication.’” (p. 9) And so it is with global ministries. Pirolo claims there are two levels of involvement: “Those who go and those who serve as senders.” (p. 14)
According to https://nationsoutreach.org/blog/christian-missionary-statistics/#71-leave-for-preventable-reasons, thousands of missionaries leave the field each year—many for preventable reasons. Missionaries tell Nations Outreach, “They struggle to stay connected to their home church and supporter base.”
In 1886 a movement was started that was heard around the world. At the Mount Hermon Meeting, the Student Volunteer Movement started with sending 100 students to foreign missions which mushroomed to over 20,000 men and women being sent over the next 100 years to spread the Gospel worldwide. But, more than that, over the years, they enlisted more than 80,000 to stay at home and support those who went. God’s hand was in this movement, providing a firm foundation for those sent.
In Mind the Gaps: Engaging the Church in Missionary Care, David J. Wilson provides thoughtful and practical advice on organizing a “sending team” in your church.

That team must…

• …draft a purpose statement to define who they are and what they are trying to do as a team. This keeps them from going adrift from their main reason for existence.
• …create a clear confidentiality statement to establish trust and open communication between them and the global partner. They will hear things from their partners that should be for their ears only. The missionaries need someone whom they can trust to unburden themselves. Confidentiality is key in keeping that “line of communication” strong.

Churches can be an effective support base for missionaries. Read David Wilson’s book and also Neal Pirolo’s book to see how we can be a more effective support team partnering with those who have left home to serve the Lord in other places.

Mind the Gaps: Engaging the Church in Missionary Care, David J. Wilson, General Editor, published by Mind the Gaps, 2015.

Serving as Senders, Neal Pirolo, published by Emmaus Road International, 1991.

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