God is the one who calls workers. The local church mobilizes and releases them to ministry. Encompass World Partners contributes teamwork and resources to enable maximum effectiveness. But one size does not fit all. So we have many different structures to fit different people. Where are you in life right now? Which of these opportunities could help you invest in transformed lives and engaged churches?
- invest a few weeks in strategic ministry
- work alongside experienced church-planters
What can you do in just two weeks? God has consistently amazed us with what He has done through GO teams. These teams go to serve the needs of the ministry, but come home with far more than they anticipated. You will never pray the same after you have been there.
- training in cross-cultural ministry
- mentored by experienced workers
- four weeks to over a year
How do you prepare for effective ministry in a multicultural, shrinking globe? A key component is hands-on ministry alongside a cross-cultural mentor. Your investment of a couple of months can give a practical dimension to your education and help you further refine your long-term ministry plans.
SOWers [Serving Overseas Workers]
- a few weeks to a year
- assisting missionaries in practical ways
- flexible structures to enable you to contribute effectively
Use your present skills to assist missionaries. As a SOWer, you provide strategic assistance to your team of missionaries and gain real-life experience in overseas ministry. Current SOWers are teaching, cooking meals, repairing cars, and sharing Christ while also gaining training and experience in cross-cultural ministry. What skills do you have?
SOWers is very flexible. We will work with you, your church, and the missionaries to match you and your skills with a strategic, defined ministry alongside an experienced missionary. We’ll also help you decide how to develop the language ability required by your ministry and how to get any other needed training. We’ll work with you to develop a support plan that covers your ministry needs.
Term Missionaries
- join a team focused on launching and developing indigenous church multiplication movements
- committed to a specific block of 1-4 years
- training is included
Invest a few years in the Great Commission. You will contribute your skills and giftedness to assist and accelerate the growth of the movement. We’ll develop a language and ministry training plan appropriate for your length of term that will equip you to be effective in reaching people cross-culturally. Our requirements are flexible and focus on the needs of your ministry.
Special Assignment
- strategic use of your skills and time
- part-time ministry using short term trips
Special Assignment empowers you to serve part time in a non-traditional role. We’ll develop a specific, strategic plan for you to use your unique skills to assist a missionary team. You use regular short term trips to minister on site, then continue to contribute while at home. The missionaries integrate your ministry into team planning and strategy. We also develop a support level to allow others to support your ministry financially.
Long Term Missionaries
- long-term professionals deployed in teams in cross-cultural ministry
- focused on launching and developing indigenous church multiplication movements
- initial and on-going training
Long-term workers are the backbone of Encompass' ministries. Their ongoing ministries allow shorter-term ministries to accomplish strategic results. Through worship-driven commitment, long term missionaries invest years in a people group. They develop an in-depth understanding of the culture and the relationships of mutual trust that make significant ministry possible. Cohesive, trained teams develop strategy and mobilize people toward establishing indigenous church multiplication movements.
We’ll help you take the next steps to see where God may be leading you. We will work with you and your church to confirm God’s call on your life and explore the match of your gifts and abilities. We will also work with you to determine the best combination of education, experience, and training that will equip you to effectively minister long-term. Our requirements are flexible depending on your intended ministry. You will start as a Term Missionary and through several years of on-the-job training and mentoring you will build your competency.
National Ministry Partner
- from Grace Brethren fellowships outside the US
- sent by a national mission association to foundation laying ministries
- engaged in cooperative ministry with Encompass
Ninety-five percent of Grace Brethren in the world live outside the United States. As these churches develop ways to send missionaries, Encompass partners with them to form international teams. Together we can each contribute our personal and cultural strengths to reach the nations. Our unity in diversity speaks volumes.
National Ministry Partners are employees, not of Encompass, but of the agency of their home-culture churches. Encompass partners with those sending agencies in finances and in the infrastructure needed for their missionaries.