How the national preachers are approved for support
Recommendation
Each preacher considered for support must be recommended by a missionary from a doctrinally sound board or his “national equivalent”, and the recommendation must be based upon a “long term, personal knowledge, of that man and his ministry”. Thus, the credibility of the one making the recommendation is at risk. Any future recommendations made by him would be subject to refusal, should any of his applicants fail to “meet up to” the standards which were represented to us.
Application
A lengthy application must be completed and translated into English, which covers such areas as doctrine, life style, family life, economics and ministry experience. Additionally, a full doctrinal statement from the preacher is required before he has seen ours. We also insist upon receiving a written testimony of he and his wife, a family photograph and other photos of his ministry if available.
Ministry Experience
Those preachers who are not actively and consistently involved in church planting and discipleship, and having a track record in such ministries, are not qualified to apply. Pastors are considered for support, only if they meet this criteria. If however, their ministry is limited to the “four walls” of their church, they do not qualify for our assistance. Most applicants are evangelists and national missionaries, who may never have a consistent support base. The reason for this is because after establishing a church, they move on to begin another work, leaving a pastor behind to be supported by the new believers, whom he won and discipled for Christ.
Each preacher considered for support must be recommended by a missionary from a doctrinally sound board or his “national equivalent”, and the recommendation must be based upon a “long term, personal knowledge, of that man and his ministry”. Thus, the credibility of the one making the recommendation is at risk. Any future recommendations made by him would be subject to refusal, should any of his applicants fail to “meet up to” the standards which were represented to us.
Application
A lengthy application must be completed and translated into English, which covers such areas as doctrine, life style, family life, economics and ministry experience. Additionally, a full doctrinal statement from the preacher is required before he has seen ours. We also insist upon receiving a written testimony of he and his wife, a family photograph and other photos of his ministry if available.
Ministry Experience
Those preachers who are not actively and consistently involved in church planting and discipleship, and having a track record in such ministries, are not qualified to apply. Pastors are considered for support, only if they meet this criteria. If however, their ministry is limited to the “four walls” of their church, they do not qualify for our assistance. Most applicants are evangelists and national missionaries, who may never have a consistent support base. The reason for this is because after establishing a church, they move on to begin another work, leaving a pastor behind to be supported by the new believers, whom he won and discipled for Christ.
How accountability is maintained for the sponsor
Approval of the national board
In each nation, an advisory and accountability board, consisting of the spiritual leaders and peers of the national preachers, and chosen from among the preachers themselves, is appointed to determine, recommend, oversee and maintain an accountability between the preacher, our international office, and their sponsors. Their recommendations of approval, and if necessary, dismissal, are absolute.
Continuing Accountability
National and regional directors are appointed from among the members of the advisory and accountability boards of each nation. Such directors maintain a local accountability in the areas of doctrine, morals, and ministry. They also verify all reports for accuracy, before they are translated and sent to us. These reports are required for continued support, unless hindered for geographic or political reasons. In addition, the directors oversee the distribution of cameras which are available to all sponsored preachers, for use in documenting their ministries.
Pastors and sponsors are encouraged to accompany our staff on frequent announced (and unannounced) trips, in order to insure accountability. We believe that accountability is the key to any successful ministry; but having the missionary in a church once every five years to speak for thirty minutes, is not accountability. Accountability would be better accomplished, by churches sending a representative to the field to see for himself, the work of the ministry they are supporting, whether it be of a national preacher or a foreign missionary.
In each nation, an advisory and accountability board, consisting of the spiritual leaders and peers of the national preachers, and chosen from among the preachers themselves, is appointed to determine, recommend, oversee and maintain an accountability between the preacher, our international office, and their sponsors. Their recommendations of approval, and if necessary, dismissal, are absolute.
Continuing Accountability
National and regional directors are appointed from among the members of the advisory and accountability boards of each nation. Such directors maintain a local accountability in the areas of doctrine, morals, and ministry. They also verify all reports for accuracy, before they are translated and sent to us. These reports are required for continued support, unless hindered for geographic or political reasons. In addition, the directors oversee the distribution of cameras which are available to all sponsored preachers, for use in documenting their ministries.
Pastors and sponsors are encouraged to accompany our staff on frequent announced (and unannounced) trips, in order to insure accountability. We believe that accountability is the key to any successful ministry; but having the missionary in a church once every five years to speak for thirty minutes, is not accountability. Accountability would be better accomplished, by churches sending a representative to the field to see for himself, the work of the ministry they are supporting, whether it be of a national preacher or a foreign missionary.
