I always learn a lot when I am involved in this interaction. Two quick thoughts that stick out to me as I listen to their stories.

These guys really desire partners that will be willing to commit to the long haul. They have seen more success when churches send teams to work along side of them over and over again.  Most workers do not desire a  one-off type trip. They want sustaining partnerships.

The second thought  is that the North American church should seek to find ways to engage the same people group here.  I believe the Great Commission is both here and there.  Thanks to globalization many of the people groups throughout the world live here in North America. What an awesome opportunity.  Read this post about what we call “reverse mission trips”. If you are engaging a people group 5000 miles away why not seek ways to do the same here?

We are headed to this part of the world next year. Please check out www.jetset.theupstreamcollective.org

Let us know if you can come along.

1. We  need people who are  self starters.

2. People  who can live with ambiguity often do well on the field. We rarely know what lies ahead on the field.

3. We love  explorers. People who love to take a look into the unknown. Exploring often leads to creative ideas.

4. We need people who have  lots of energy.  People who will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

5. We like people who bold in their witness. I have noticed that most of these planters and young churches actively find ways to share their faith in natural ways.

6. We love risk takers. People who are not afraid of failing or taking a chance.

7. We need churches who are willing to commit for a long time. It rarely can be done in a few short trips or a year or two.

8. Churches who will look at the people that they send in a holistic manner. (re)member care is important to them.

9. We need churches who do well at thinking strategically while also being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

10. The key to all of this is a church that prays.  A prayer strategy really precedes all of the first nine.

Hope you will follow along at the Upstream Collective Page on Facebook or #sendingchurch on Twitter.

Three times this past week I was reminded of my time in Turkey this Spring.

First I read this excellent interview from Ed Stetzer and a worker in that part of the world. You should take time to read it.

Secondly, I  talked with two of the pastors that went with us on the trip and just looked at some next steps for their church. We revisited some of the fun times we had during the week. By the way we are doing several trips next year. If you have an interested in going with The Upstream Collective on one of our trips please shoot an email to info@theupstreamcollective.org. If you have an interest in opportunities there feel free to send an email as well.

Finally,  I was able to do some teaching this weekend from the book of Philippians. One of my favorite books of the bible. As I was studying the passages and getting more of the context I had to read the section just before Paul arrived in Philippi.  In Acts 16 he was in what is now modern day Turkey and in and around some of the places we toured.

Definitely one of those places I am having a hard time getting off of my mind and out of my heart. I hope that never changes. I hope I am reminded everyday to pray for them and seek out opportunities.

Here are some questions we asked him.

Why did you start the SENT Collective?

Chad Vandiver (CV): The SENT Collective is a group of missional networks serving together to implement Luke 10:2-3, “He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few….’” These networks all exist to empower the local church to reach its community. We believe that as churches reach the mission fields around them they will be better equipped to reach mission fields in other parts of the world.

The SENT Collective is also a connection system that will seek to mobilize and equip workers while helping them know where the harvest is throughout Texas, the United States, North America and beyond, and how to share the Gospel in biblically correct and culturally appropriate manners. The SENT Collective can offer training in missiological leadership, research and engagement. This training begins with the SENT Conference continues with SENT Labs and the People Group Champions Project. We also have People Group and Multihousing Missionaries already serving as Jesus experts to people groups throughout Texas. They are available to lead local churches to mission fields in their communities.

Even though you started SENT just this past March, what are some things you’ve already seen God do through it?

CV: God is moving in amazing ways throughout Texas! Our state receives approximately 4,500 refugees each year, providing believers ample opportunities to serve as missionaries in their own backyards. One believer has shared how her boss helped connect her with a Muslim woman who was curious about the Bible. The two women would discuss the Bible weekly via Skype and talk about how the Old Testament prophesies were fulfilled through Jesus Christ. After consistently hearing Truth, the Muslim woman said, “You know, there’s no way around it. I know I’m a sinner, I know my good deeds are not good enough and I know I need a Savior.” She declared she is no longer a Muslim, but a follower of Christ.

Another Christ-follower realized her occupation—in apartment complex management—was her God-given mission field. Even though regulations keep her from openly sharing her faith, she has seen God create thousands of ministries in apartment communities across the United States. Today she is willing to talk with anyone who is interested in reaching out to apartment complexes for the sake of the Gospel. All it requires is committed and willing hearts and hands.

Who is the SENT Collective for?

CV: Anyone who believes Matthew 28:18-20. The SENT Collective is for all Christians looking for opportunities to be trained as missionaries to Texas and beyond. It exists to empower the local church to engage their community with the Gospel.

You can follow Chad on twitter at chadvandiver and their blog www.sentcollective.org.

I arrived in time to go to church this Easter Sunday morning. I went to the gathering at www.westpointchurch.org on the outskirts of Orlando. It was the first time that I have been able to worship there with my friends. I have known the co-pastor Jason Dukes for some time. I think a lot of him. He is top shelf. You also will want to read his book called “Live Sent”. Worth the read.

Westpoint is all about being the  church and living sent.

They live up to it from all that I can observe. I love seeing churches that are so concerned with thier community and even the other churches in their community. This morning I heard several examples of how they were trying to be a blessing to other churches in their city. Helping those churches with their outreach type events. Wow.

I also heard of examples of people in the church who are truly living sent. Maybe it is in their local business or profession or perhaps it is moving overseas but they empower their people to live outwardly focused lives.

Refreshing.

He is Risen.

More Soon from Orlando

In Budapest our team chatted with a couple of Hungarian church planters.

Take a look at this video about some ways they see American churches helping.

Upstream interview with Hungarian Pastors, Budapest from Upstream on Vimeo.

Interested in partnering in Prague or Budapest send me an email at info@theupstreamcollective.org

So I thought why not do a quick list on why short-term teams can be good?

Here you go!

1. If the church has a long term strategy for that place or people group then a short term trip can contribute to the overall strategy of engaging that people group. This takes pre- trip planning, being prepared for the work, good communication throughout and lots of prayer. For a related post take a look at this
2. It can be an encouragement to the missionary or national team in which they are partnering with.
3. With social networking today it is often possible to stay in contact with the people you meet or minister to during the week.
4. It provides missional training and discipleship opportunities for people in the church who go on the trip.
5. It can expand one’s worldview, which can help the church be more effective ministering across cultures in their own city.

Interested in leading your church on your first mission trip but need some help in preparation and training. Check out this site at Equipped to Go.

Another group that knows a lot about short-term teams is Delta Ministries.

Both of these are worth checking out.

We did a modified content analysis of this research and found some obvious common themes.

I share this short post today to highlight one common theme:

The character of the missionary.

I found this to be important amongst churches as they partner with someone on the field. If they are going to invest time and valuable resources in the work then they want to work with someone they can trust. Someone they can believe in.

“They want the worker to be faithful, have integrity and to be humble.”

“To be Christ- centered”.

“They want the worker to be honest- both about the realities of his/her life and ministry (the ups and downs, good and bad) and how the local church can better support the missionary and be more focused (again, the ups and downs, good and bad)”.

They believe that the worker should have a  teachable spirit. They like to see them “willing to learn from the local body while at the same time teaching and encouraging them to live on mission”.

Another one wrote this: “It is important that missionaries be real, honest and transparent with their partner churches. This may not be possible with every church but it must be a priority with a missionaries’ sending church”.

In regards to the relationship one wrote that “authenticity is important in regards to the assumptions/expectations we both bring in the partnership”.

In conclusion I would say if you are a worker on the field then you should take time and effort in letting your partners get to know you. Show them your heart. Show them your successes and talk about your failures.

Several things that I remember.

They have a famous statue of a boy using the bathroom (see here)

They have incredible chocolate. I personally like Leonidas.

Good coffee shops. Believe it or not not many Starbucks in this town but they say you can find them at the airport. I took the train and found plenty of good local ones in the city.

They really do great french fries. They say the secret is a double fry method. I do not know what all that means in terms of health but “yummy” is one word to describe them.

Their waffles are tremendous. You need to try waffles with chocolate on top or injected. This way you get the best of both worlds. Some of the best waffles are from street vendors.

All of the fun stuff aside. There are some significant things going on there spiritually.

A church planting team that works with university students.

A ministry called The Well which is an initiative of Christian Associates.

Another ministry where people can pour back into the city is called “Serve The City”. By the way did you know that 2011 is the “Year of Volunteering” in the European Union.

The main reason I was there was to do the third step of our training process for Sending Churches with The Upstream Collective. In Brussels we work with a church located near Nashville called  Lifepoint Smyrna.  They have a church planting team that is starting a work in Brussels.. You can read more about their team here.  I am so excited about what they are doing. I am amazed at how God is using this church to impact the world.

You may be asking what are our first two steps. Glad you asked.

First, members of our  Upstream teaching team meets with the church based team several times as a group throughout the year as they prepare to go.

The second part of our training process is to have a “Pre-Field” training retreat which will last several days. We cover a ton of topics preparing the individuals and team about cross cultural ministry.

Once the team starts hitting the ground we do follow up training and that is what I led this week. We also meet with the team leader on a monthly basis for coaching and mentoring.

I hope you will find some places to connect in Brussels. It is a great city. It is an extremely influential city in Europe and the world.

My time in Basel reminded me of a post that I wrote sometime back about football in Europe. You can read it here.

If you want to see a cool video about their ministry here.

Interested in football in Europe? There are more options than you think.
Check out this website.

Interested in living and working in Europe check out Skybridge Community.

I would gladly introduce you to some interesting football possibilities.