Dec 26, 2019
by Andy Samuels
Chief Executive Director
SDB Missionary Society
In Philippians 1:3-5, the Apostle Paul says, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
The Philippian church had evidently been a worthwhile partner with Paul, the global globetrotter, in his ministry and stewardship of the gospel. And he was ensuring to commend them on such faithful cooperation.
Through the work of the Missionary Society, several local churches within the General Conference of the USA & Canada have embarked upon mostly informal partnerships with SDB Conferences around the world. The development of such partnerships is one of the ways that recognition is given to the fact that the carrying out of Jesus’ Great Commission is virtually impossible without meaningful and significant collaboration with like-minded individuals and groups. Somehow, the Holy Spirit becomes both the cause and the effect of God’s people working together.
Among the current partnerships that can be recognized are the following:
• Berlin, New York and Zambia
• Sabbath Chapel, Georgia with Central Washington and Sierra Leone
• Union Station, Florida and The Philippines
• Houston, Texas and Ecuador
• Riverside, California and Cuba
• Verona, New York and Kenya
• Dodge Center, Minnesota and Democratic Republic of Congo
• Miami, Florida and Haiti
• Full Gospel in Cumberland, Maryland with Grace in Bloomington, Minnesota and Bangladesh
The beginning of these partnerships and the way they have evolved is varied, and differ from one to the other in terms of what they undertake to keep the relationship healthy and dynamic. In several cases, the Pastor or another leader of the USA & Canada church traveled and made a visit to the overseas conference. Out of those visits, the Lord laid a vision or a burden on the Pastor’s heart; the Pastor returned home with a zeal and a commitment; put them into action; and mobilized his congregation into further communication, prayer, engagement, and support, for and with the overseas Conference. Through these partnerships, relationships are built and deepened, ministry is facilitated, the Great Commission is pursued, and the world becomes a little smaller.
The Missionary Society has not always been the catalyst for these partnerships, but wants to share in the encouragement, facilitation, enhancement, and development of more of them through counsel, guidance, and the provision of moral and spiritual support. If your church is not currently engaged in one of these partnerships, it can be. Even our Associations can partner with an overseas Conference for the advancing of the Kingdom of our Lord.
For prayerful consideration, think of at least these seven expectations that would be involved in your church partnering with an overseas Conference to carry out the Lord’s assignment to all of us:
Participation – each of the partners participates in the other’s ministry in ways that are meaningful and according to the allowances of their circumstances.
Assistance – mutual help is given to each of the participating parties, and many times, what one cannot do by themselves, they are able to do together.
Reciprocity – mutual exchange is voluntarily entered into, and corresponding privilege is extended one to the other.
Teamwork – goals are tackled in a united and harmonious way; the stronger looks out for the weaker, and the whole benefits from the exploits of the individuals.
Nurture – for there to be growth and development on both sides, the nurturing of the relationship must take place. This is done through study, sharing, mentoring, and discipleship.
Enrich – each party is better off because of the other. Value is added, shared experiences enhance the journey, and there is a maturing which results.
Resources – in any endeavor, very little can happen without resources. These include human, spiritual, emotional, material, and the ultimate Resource, which is the Lord God Almighty.
It is our deep conviction that any effective engagement of missions around the world will inevitably involve the forging of lively dynamic partnerships that are centered on the glory of Jesus Christ and the unfolding of His purpose for all of us.
Will you become a partner? Make contact with the Missionary Society, and we’ll be glad to show you how. That’s not a bad objective for the new year.
