International Ministries: Part 3

Part III – 7 things International Ministries does not do

This is the third part of a series introducing Converge International Ministries.  In Part I, we looked at the structure and organization of International Ministries (IM).  Last month we looked at the Vision Statement for International Ministries.  This month, we are going to look at 7 things International Ministries does not do.  

1. We do not send people to places where the gospel is already established.

Currently, 97% of missionaries and 99% of missions funding goes to places where there is at least some establishment of the gospel and gospel churches.  But one third of the world has no access to the gospel and no churches.  These are the hard places.  This is where we choose to go.

1. We do not send people to the mission field unprepared.

Our Mobilization group has an excellent process of recruiting, evaluating and preparing our Global Workers (missionaries).  Most candidates go through a two year process of learning, mentoring and developing a support team that prepares them well for the missions field.  We send people who are well-equipped, well-trained, and ready for the hard work and realities of missions work.

1. We do not send people to the mission field without a network of support.

International Ministries facilitates a number of ways to provide our Global Workers with the support they need.  There are multi-church prayer networks, partnership teams, and a member care organization to help them on the field.  This is in addition to the many local churches who provide loving, faithful support for their missionaries.

1. We do not develop disciples who follow us; we equip locals as disciple-makers who make disciple-makers.

We believe the best people to reach a people group are people from that people group. Furthermore, there will not be multiplication of leaders developing other leaders if we only invest in those who would follow us.  We are committed to the long-term work of discipling leaders who will change and lead the gospel efforts in their people group.

1. We do not send global workers to plant churches but to raise up and equip church planters in each location we serve.

As an extension of the above point, the only way a lasting, local, multiplying church to exist is if there are local churches planted by local leaders.  Developing local church leaders promotes takes the focus off of us as leaders to be followed, and on to the gospel that needs to be preached and followed by all.  Furthermore, healthy local churches allow the gospel to be presented and experienced in a way that the local people can understand and embrace.

6. We do not fund ongoing ministry in cross-cultural settings. We help leaders figure out how to shape their ministries to be self-sustaining in their contexts.

We do not want local churches and ministries to be dependent on outside financing.   This is not sustainable for multiplication to new churches, nor does it allow the local church to truly exist within the specific cultural context with its limitations, opportunities and expectations.  Locally planted churches need to know how to sustain themselves and those efforts that they make to multiply to the surrounding areas.

1. We do not lord over a field. We work hard to develop godly, capable leaders within each people group so we can work ourselves out of a job.

Ultimately, our goal is to develop a local movement that sustains and leads itself.  This allows our efforts to then be transferred to the next place of great need.  The work of International Ministries has to always be about the gospel, not about ourselves, our leadership or our organization.  We exist to serve the countries, communities and people groups by helping them become the thriving, gospel focused churches.

By looking at the things International Ministries does not do, hopefully this gives you greater insight into what International Ministries does do.  As part of Converge, your support and involvement with International Ministries contributes to a great work that is truly making a difference in the world.  If you have questions or want more information about international ministries, please contact Dave Hoffman.  daveh@converge.org.