UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE DO
A PHILOSOPHY OF MISSIONARY PRACTICE
International Missions Project is committed to an ongoing development of a comprehensive missions strategy to fulfill the gospel mandate of the Lord Jesus Christ based on Matthew 28:18
In doing so, we are committed to go, and be active in the work of missions, preaching the message of Christ; assisting indigenous churches and leaders, and training and encouraging missions, in a cross-cultural context.
This persuasion is based on the revelation of God’s word which teaches that personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; His death on the cross; and His resurrection from the dead, is the only means of salvation and eternal life for mankind
And there is salvation in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. – Acts 4:12
SERVANT MINISTRY
Jesus declared Himself as a servant, and that one’s greatness is marked by the depth of serving. (Mark 10:45; Matt. 23:11)
The role and position of servant-ministry seeks to emulate the character of Christ, whereas a servant-minister is committed to pointing people to Christ, rather than drawing men to himself. The servant minister is employed in the business of relationship building with the unchurched through – encouragement, affirmation, and blessing the lives of people, with the ultimate goal of preaching the gospel of Christ, and making disciples. The non-negotiable call for all missionaries is to practice servant ministry to unbelieving friends, as well as to members of the body of Christ.
CULTURE
It is essential that missionaries understand the culture in which they are working. This is not only an academic and intellectual pursuit, but a heart-felt desire to embrace and bond with the culture in which he lives. Paul declared,
To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews … to the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all me, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Cor. 9:22,23
The bonding and embracing of culture includes language, customs, food, and lifestyle. The missionary void of a desire to embrace and bond with local culture, can quickly become marginalized and may be perceived as being proud, and indifferent with a sense of supremacy. Such errors will cause the missionary to experience limited effectiveness in ministry.
COMMUNITY
It is essential that Western missionaries especially perceive the depth of community that exists in cultures outside of the Western world. The concept of community is such that is based on an Eastern worldview, which has biblical precedent. Western culture which is often built upon the values of “individualism,” may not always present a workable model in Asian cultures.
Therefore missionaries and servant-ministers must learn the values and practices of Eastern community. The “bonding” missionary becomes received as a trusted friend and co-worker when authenticating the values of community in philosophy, practice, and lifestyle.
DISCIPLE MAKING
More than preaching, the missionary is called to make disciples. Jesus exemplified this by modeling the serious importance of developing meaningful, significant, relationships with leaders. Defined: A disciple is understood as “a fully committed follower of Christ who in turn seeks to model and mentor these principles in the lives of others.”
The development of significant mentoring relationships is of primary importance in the life of the effective missionary. The role of mentoring comes with it, the understanding that one’s work is “others” centered. Disciple making is how God’s kingdom expands exponentially and most effectively.
Disciple making is most effective through the planting and establishing of churches, which will have the greatest effect of impacting local culture and people.
Paul’s clarion call to disciple making is seen in 2 Timothy 2:2, where he declares,
And the things you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
