On a Team All Members Are Important

Senders/Partners have an important and vital role in missions.

When asked if it is selfish to send financial and prayer support rather than go, Neal Pirolo, director of Emmaus Road International, missionary trainer, and author of I Think God Wants Me to Be a Missionary and Serving As Senders  
explained that each of us has an important part in missions and the important role of senders/partners in supporting those who are called to go,

"We have all been called to the body of Christ and to function within that body. Some will be witnesses in Jerusalem (your home town), some will be witnesses in Judea (linking arms in a greater area ministry). Some will be witnesses in Samaria (among the "unlovables" of the world), and some, as they are going throughout the world, will be witnesses to the uttermost parts.

For those who go to the uttermost parts, there is a need for a support team – a care group. For every member of the military who goes to the front line of battle, a minimum of nine back him up on the line of communication. Those who serve as senders are equally important. Their responsibilities are quite different from those who go, but they are equally vital. No, it is not selfish to be a part of "the rest of the team." Imagine a baseball coach telling the right fielder, "Hey, you didn't touch the ball the whole game. We don't need you any more!" Of course not. Likewise, though the ones who go might be like a pitcher or a catcher who touches the ball every inning, the other members of the team are equally responsible to fulfill their particular role."

"Senders are crucial," said David, a missionary who has served for eight years in Honduras and coordinates the medical aspects of several community development groups. He further explained why he believes this to be true, 

"I could not give scholarships to students, milk to babies, medicine to the sick, or Bibles to as many as possible if "nobody sent!"

I find that so many people think they are "not doing anything," when, without their support, the "sent" could not be overseas where the need is so great."

We found this to be true our first term as missionaries in Colombia. We were only able to do what we did through the financial and prayer support of our partners. Here's just some of that: Bibles were given out to teens and adults, we held a 3 day youth camp, the local church we partnered with was supported and helped, projects were done to help out in the community and show Christ's love, discipleship and English class materials were printed, food and other basic necessities were provided to the needy, people were helped in their time of unexpected hardships or needs, and the gospel was shared.

Needless to say, we are so grateful for all our partners, our support team of senders who made it possible for us to go and serve in Riohacha, Colombia and now make it possible for us to go to Armenia, Colombia and work with Pastor Jorge and Kristina in the ministry of La Iglesia Nueva Esperanza and Fundacion Manos de Esperanza. Our time here in the states on Home Ministry Assignment has been a time of learning more about trusting and leaning more on God to provide for all of our needs - lodging, transportation, speaking opportunities, and financial provision for our ministry through one-time gifts and monthly pledged support. Since we have been here on Home Ministry Assignment God has brought new people to partner with us and has led some who were already partners to increase their support. In these last few months we have been blessed to gain several new partners. We are at the tail end of our home ministry assignment, and it is time to return to Colombia and begin our next assignment, but we are still short of the full pledged support needed to sustain our monthly budget needs.

If you sense God calling you to become a financial partner and participate in this ministry in Colombia as a sender, please don't put it off. Respond to that call by signing up today. It's easy and will only take a few minutes of your time. And remember with everybody working together pledging what God lays on each one's heart, our budget can be sustained long term and we are able to go. If you want to give, but can't give much, don't be afraid to step out in faith and give what you can. Each one is important. Just click on this link and join our team. 
https://southamericamission.org/donate/missionaries/chris-cristi-haylett/

Some current partners have asked about increasing their support. If that is your desire, just give South America Mission a call, and they can help with that.

South America Mission, Inc.
1021 Maxwell Mill Road, Suite B

Fort Mill, SC 29708

803-802-8580