| “Both home and foreign missions should be conducted in connection with the ministry of the word. The medical missionary work is not to be carried forward as something apart from the work of the gospel ministry.… The two lines of work must not be separated.… The medical missionary work is to be connected with the third angel’s message as the hand is connected with the body; and the education of students in medical missionary lines is not complete unless they are trained to work in connection with the church and the ministry.” –Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 557. |
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During its meetings in April 1999, the General Conference Committee made the decision to develop a program to organize missions to foreign countries. Brother Larry Watts, leader of the General Conference Youth Department, was asked to do this work. Such a program was considered necessary so there can be harmony of action in helping needy areas and entering new areas.
The basic structure of the program has been completed. It is based on the experience made in and current conditions of the 16 unions and 32 fields which report directly to the General Conference, as well as the mission statement and objectives of the General Conference Committee and the aims of the General Conference departments.
In early July 1999, the General Conference began introducing the Foreign Missions Program to the responsible committees of the unions and fields. They were sent the outline of the program, a letter explaining how they can participate, as well as an Application Form for possible participants.
VISION
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An army of well-trained men and women readied to carry the message into new territories. |
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Qualified individuals to help General Conference Regional Representatives manage troubled areas. |
MISSION
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Preach the gospel through others: Teaching Others to Teach Others (TOTTO), such as how to give Bible studies, disciple souls for Christ, lead churches to a revival of missionary activity, do practical medical missionary work, counsel young and old, and manage physical resources. |
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Broaden the experience of our youth and leaders through active service in foreign missions. |
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Help churches, fields, and unions be spiritually, intellectually and financially mature. |
OBJECTIVES
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Create a basic curriculum to prepare experienced individuals for service in foreign countries. |
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Prepare individuals to serve at varying levels of foreign missions. |
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Develop projects to be carried out by trained foreign missionaries |
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Generate support for foreign missions activities. |
The gospel commission of Matthew 28 gives us our marching orders. –Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 115. We are to make disciples of all nations. How? By following Jesus, our “pattern Man.” John 1:43; 12:26; Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 970. Working as He worked and with the same motivation, we will give glory to God. The needs and methods are clear. The experienced are to teach and supervise the teachable–first, by giving them instruction, and then by giving them opportunity to practice what they have learned.
The basic assignment will be to teach–by tutoring or mentoring–individuals so they are capable of bearing responsibilities and building up the work spiritually and in every other way. The work of tutoring the organization and helping it stand more mature needs to be balanced with the needs of the individuals participating in the FMP. The participant will receive specific training for an assignment to be completed within a certain amount of time, during which he will be supervised and supported by the FMP.
At present, four types of service are envisioned:
ADVISOR(S)
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A minister who agrees to be stationed in a foreign country for 2-3 years. |
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Trains individuals to train others in various branches of missionary activity. |
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Works under the General Conference Regional Representative to better coordinate and build up the work. |
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Does not hold office in the church, field, or union, but guides and mentors local people. |
PIONEERS
(teams of 2-4 people)
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Agree to be stationed in a new mission field for 2-3 years. |
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Establish and build the work in the area from the ground up. |
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Find, teach, and guide local individuals in carrying responsibilities in the various aspects of the work. |
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Do not hold office in the organization but guide and mentor local people so they can effectively bear responsibilities. |
TEACHING TEAMS
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Agree to spend a certain amount of time (3-9 months) in a country or region. |
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Give specialized training in practical missionary activities and self-help (e.g., Bible work, medical missionary work, Dorcas activities, canvassing, farming, education, business, publishing, communications, church organization and management, etc.). |
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After gaining experience, learning leadership skills, and demonstrating their effectiveness in teaching, individuals may become team leaders. |
SINGLE PROJECT WORKERS
(individuals and teams)
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As professionals and/or other volunteers, desire to make a missionary experience in a developing country. |
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Export their talents, experience and time for a short period of service (e.g., teaching health principles, Dorcas work, family planning, marriage counseling, home management, business principles, farming, church management, medical missionary training, Bible work, building techniques, etc.). |
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Work under experienced missionaries or other experienced professionals. |
| How the FMP will be financed |
In most local churches, the tithe/offerings envelopes contain an item called “Foreign Missions.” Offerings received for this will be available for use in the Foreign Missions Program. In addition, the General Conference will provide financing from other sources as is possible. When additional funding is needed, the FMP will present project requests to “Highways.” All who are interested in helping finance foreign missions are encouraged to do so while there is still opportunity.
The program phases have been explained in the letter addressed to the committees of the fields and unions. They have been asked to assume the responsibility of encouraging participation by their members and also to help select participants who they believe are capable of being trained for the work. The greater the cooperation between the established unions and fields with the FMP, the greater the success of this missionary outreach will be!
Phase 1 is to (a) find and (b) train participants. Those who apply and are accepted will be given instruction in foreign mission activities, including whatever training in medical missionary work and other relevant subjects is necessary for carrying out the individual assignment. This will be done by correspondence, in seminars, and, where possible, in applications at one of our health centers.
Phase 2 will be to (a) match the participants with the needs and (b) find funding for each assignment. Presently, 15 countries are on the list of locations where FMP projects should be carried out. Most of them are English speaking. In addition, individuals are needed who speak or can learn French, Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish.
Phase 3 is to (a) introduce the individuals in their foreign post and (b) support them for the duration of their assignment.
Phase 4 will be to return them to their country of origin after their assignment is completed.
The fields and unions have been asked to study the FMP plans, seek individuals to participate in the Program, and submit their Application Forms. Applicants should be faithful church members who are dedicated to missionary work, experienced in bringing sacrifices to win souls, team players, and considered qualified to serve in foreign missions.
The question has been asked what the benefit will be to a union or field which cooperates with the FMP. The brethren of the General Conference believe it will be a great benefit to the home country when individuals return after making experiences with God in foreign lands. Furthermore, those union or field committees which work in harmony together for common goals may expect rich blessings from God. Fields and unions are also being asked to support the FMP financially–Phase 2 (b).
Any qualified workers or laymen who desire to offer their time and abilities as sacrifices to carry the precious message and help put God’s work on a solid spiritual and management basis are invited to express their willingness to serve to the union or field leaders in their country. Single churches may want to lend their most qualified individuals to participate in the FMP for a short or longer period of time. Individuals may desire to contribute their special skills and receive training to help their fellow believers in other countries.
Everyone can help by praying earnestly for these efforts made to carry the blessed message from heaven to foreign lands. This should in no way detract from each individual’s own work in watching for opportunities to be a blessing and to reach souls right where he or she is. We each can do much more than we are presently doing if we will just use our imagination and think about how we are using our time and blessings!
The General Conference will do its best to keep the readers of The Sabbath Watchman informed about activities occurring in the Foreign Missions Program. Let us all be of one heart and soul in praying and working for the strengthening of those things that are weak. There is plenty of work for everyone. How grateful we can be that God is still giving us the privilege in this late hour of earth’s history to do something that will have eternal consequences!
God wants to bestow eternal riches