Collaborative Mission Initiatives - December 2019 Update
Better Together
“From everywhere to everyone” is a phrase that communicates the nature of mission today. In his book, The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone, Peruvian missiologist Samuel Escobar conveys that Christians in the growing churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are increasingly claiming their critical role in God’s mission.
During four decades of ministry, The Outreach Foundation has come alongside partners in support of their own initiatives to declare and demonstrate who Christ is. Our partners desire to be engaged in sharing the Gospel globally. Under the theme “Building South-to-South Partnerships,” my colleague Jeff Ritchie developed a series of fruitful consultations bringing together partners in places like Ghana, Egypt, and Brazil. Outreach has been instrumental in strengthening the mission-vision of churches worldwide through supporting the training of missionaries and the production of culture-appropriate mission literature. South Korea is also a country that has experienced remarkable growth in the mission sending category and where Outreach is exploring forms of collaboration in God’s mission.
On October 11 we had the pleasure of receiving Rev. Paulo Feniman in our offices in Franklin, TN. A pastor of one of the major Presbyterian denominations in Brazil (IPIB) he also leads the Brazilian Association of Transcultural Missions, an umbrella organization bringing together more than 7,000 people ministering beyond their own culture and country.
From November 5 to 9, I visited with Presbyterians in the South Korean cities of Seoul and Ulsan. It was a pleasure to be hosted by the General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, Rev. Chang-bae Byun, at the Centennial Memorial Building. The South Korean Presbyterians’ commitment to God’s work around the world is truly inspiring and we discussed several possible places in which joint initiatives would be appropriate. Currently, the denomination has 1,440 missionaries in 92 countries.
We at Outreach celebrate the relationships that we facilitate between churches in the U.S. and partners. We also see our partners as fellow participants in God’s global mission with which we can work together. By doing so, we present a more accurate representation of the reconciliation that Christ makes possible. As we develop collaborative efforts, our joint witness can go to places that would have unreachable on our own.
Along with the Brazilian Association of Transcultural Missions, Outreach is co-convening the International Presbyterian and Reformed Mission Consultation. It is being held on October 23-25, 2020 in the Sao Paulo state of Brazil. Entitled “Affirming our Common Commitment,” the consultation will bring together mission leaders from the four main Presbyterian denominations in Brazil in addition to representatives from South Korea, Ghana, Pakistan, Kenya, and other countries to develop practical mission relationships. Click here for more information.
We are excited about the ways in which the Collaborative Mission Initiatives partnerships are expanding the impact of the work of the Church in the world. Let Jesus’ light shine ever brighter through the people of God!
Sincerely,
Juan Sarmiento
Associate Director for Mission
Read more about Collaborative Mission Initiatives HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $15,000 to support these mission partnerships.
You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.