A New Mission Strategy

My recent mission trip to Ethiopia had a factor that may be applicable to your strategy.

The project I participated in was a vision of an Ethiopian pastor in Seattle, and he was the primary organizer of the trip.

What is remarkable and exciting about this project is that a Kingdom-minded local American church has been one of his close partners and allies to make this vision a reality to train rural church leaders in Ethiopia. He also has been successful in building a coalition of churches in Ethiopia not only to support but own and operate the training programs.

As a result, this project, part of which was my mission trip, is truly the collaborative effort of multilateral partnerships.

I have been privileged to take part in it primarily because of my growing friendship with this visionary, Kingdom-minded Ethiopian pastor.

If you have a heart for a country or a people group within the country, you may be able to partner with a local congregation in your region from that particular country.  In my case, it is an Ethiopian church in Seattle. Particularly in a large metropolis like Seattle and Portland, there are churches whose members are from various countries, including Ethiopia, Iran, China, Vietnam, Russia, Indonesia, to name a few.

Here is what I have done:

1. I am interested in learning more about Ethiopia. I enjoy meeting Ethiopians locally. Sometimes I seek them out.  Often I simply follow connections presented to me.  When I first contact them, I ask if we can get together so that I could learn more about Ethiopia.
2. Initially, I am not seeking any partnership opportunity.  Often my meeting with individuals turns out to be a one-time event.  Just getting their take on their people and country is very helpful and insightful.
3. Sometimes, we really connect. They have a vision or a deep sense of burden for their own people.  When I discover their passion to be compatible with what I would like to be involved with, that is when I start exploring the possibility of partnership.
4. Needless to say, this type of partnership is not a short-term strategy. It will require intentionality and building true friendship between two churches. But the fruit of such effort is a beautiful and powerful collaboration in unity and mutuality, making a lasting impact in the country.

Converge Northwest Global Missions has access to resources that will help you move into this direction. Please let us know if you are interested.

Questions? Contact Jonathan Kobayashi at Jonathan@actseight.org 

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