More than Money!

I am adopted. Some of you may know this about me. I was adopted when I was almost 2 years old though my adoptive parents took care of me much earlier. I am a huge advocate for adoption. I am thankful that my parents chose me and gave me a home.  When I was a pastor in the states I actually served on a local board for Bethany Christian Services in our city. It was a very meaningful time for me and a way I could honor my parents who adopted me.  I am so thankful for people who adopt children. They are my heroes. Every child deserves loving and caring parents no matter where they live. Now that I think about it I may even start writing some posts about adoption.

BUT since this is part of my series on developing partnerships with churches I need to transition to this topic. Here it goes!

I also think that every missionary deserves a loving and caring church that they can call home. Some of my readers may think this is a no-brainer. However,  you would be surprised how many workers do not have a place they can truly call home. They do not have a church that supports them by:

Praying for them in specific ways

Giving care to them

Holding them accountable spiritually and strategically

Supporting them

Being involved in their ministry on the field

Simply talking to them and being interested in their work.

These six things can make such a difference in the life and total health of a missionary and his / her family. In many ways these workers need a church who will adopt them and call them their own. I know this may sound silly but I do not think so. This is my big question to every potential worker coming on the field: “Do you have a sending church and how are they involved in sending you?” My question to churches who are sending out someone is “how do you plan on staying in touch and how to you plan on supporting them in ways other than financial assistance?”  Churches please do not simply outsource this to mission agencies. Most missionaries want your involvement even after they are on the field.  I would add that we all need your involvement.

As I have written before about Acts 13 and beyond there was a connection to Paul and the sending church Antioch. There was an on-going relationship. This is vital to the life of the worker in my opinion. Missionaries need more than money!

I am not going to start an adoption agency for workers but if you need help with this let me know. If you are a church looking for a person to adopt or if you are a worker needing a church to adopt you please let someone know.

I will do all I can. Feel free to email me at larry@theupstreamcollective.org