WE ASPIRE TO BE
the mission agency of choice for spiritually healthy, forward thinking, strategically positioned, courageous servants of Christ.
OURVISION
TO SEE OURDESIRE
healthy multiplying churches, led by well-equipped local leaders, serving every community around the globe.
TO SEE
spiritual fruit of souls saved, believers matured, churches established, and indigenous leaders trained.
OURMISION
TO SERVE
local churches in sending out healthy members as well-equipped missionaries.
OURCOMMITMENT
TO ESTABLISH INDIGENOUS CHURCHES
In accordance with Matthew 28:18-20, Indigenous Biblical Ministries Global (IBMGlobal) is committed to the New Testament philosophy of indigenous church planting through soul-winning, discipleship, Bible study, and the organization of churches that govern, support, and reproduce themselves.
INDIGENOUSPRINCIPLES
HOW WE HANDLE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
WE AFFIRM THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES
1.As the Gospel is universal, it will grow in any cultural soil and is not dependent upon American forms, structures, worship styles, leadership or financing in order to take root and grow.
2.Churches must always be free in Christ to express their faith in ways that are faithful to the Bible and relevant to the cultural context.
3. It is impossible for a church to obtain valid growth if captive to anyone other than the Lord for its ultimate authority.
4. Though the cross-cultural missionary may be used by God to begin a work, intentional efforts must be made so that God-called ,mature, indigenous leaders, are empowered to lead these ministries.
5. The cross-cultural missionary may be led to pioneer new work or in some instances adjust his role to encourage, edify and serve national leadership as ministries take shape under their guidance.
“THE GREATEST MISSIONARY IS THE BIBLE IN THE MOTHER TONGUE. IT NEEDS NO FURLOUGH AND IS NEVER CONSIDERED A FOREIGNER.”
WILLIAM CAMERON TOWNSEND
(The first three points are adapted from www.cpqa.org.)
OURGUIDINGPRINCIPLES
1 2 3 4
The first level of relationship for the missionaries is to their commissioning church.
Biblical principles are not negotiable; personal preferences must remain personal.
We are not in competition but strive to complement other biblical ministries.
Indigenous ministries are the end goal of our missionary efforts.
5 Our passion is to establish healthy, reproducing local churches.
6 We encourage creative and innovative ministry methods.
7 We serve together as the family of God.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
DISTINCTIVES
IBMGlobal exists to assist the local church in sending servant leaders to strategic fields of ministry. We seek to serve the missionaries’ commissioning church, as well as other partnering churches, by providing financial, logistical and administrative help to the missionary.
IBMGlobal believes God has given our generation the responsibility as well as the resources to win this generation to Jesus Christ. To that end, we are committed to establishing healthy churches that multiply through the progression of evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training.
IBMGlobal believes cooperation, not competition, is to be expected and enjoyed with other Biblical mission agencies. As able, we are willing to share expertise, logistical support and resources as we seek the common goal of spreading the gospel around the globe.
IBMGlobal is dedicated to being Biblically balanced and Scripturally separated. Although Biblical principles are non-negotiable, preferences are to remain preferences.
Because IBMGlobal is devoted to boldly proclaiming the gospel among every tribe, nation and tongue, creative and innovative means will be used to enter creative access countries. To this end, we are willing to ‘work outside the box’ of the ‘traditional mission’ paradigm. Our message and our mission are timeless and unchanging, but our methods must be innovative and customized to the cultural context.
“GOD ISN’T LOOKING FOR PEOPLE OF GREAT FAITH, BUT FOR INDIVIDUALS READY TO FOLLOW HIM.”
HUDSON TAYLOR
IS THE PINNACLE OF MISSION WORK
The establishment of healthy indigenous churches, led by welltrained local leaders is the pinnacle of the missions endeavor that produces the next wave of gospel advance!
CREATIVEACCESSNATIONS
REACHING OPPRESSED PEOPLE GROUPS
“(THE RULERS, ELDERS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW) CALLED THEM IN AGAIN AND COMMANDED THEM NOT TO SPEAK OR TEACH AT ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS.” – ACTS 4:18
There are countries where it is not possible for a foreign missionary to get a visa. There are countries where church activities are greatly restricted and some countries where open evangelism by Christians is completely prohibited.
Churches in areas where they have to meet in secret are sometimes referred to as Underground Churches. Some people have been tempted to think these countries – many of which have Islamic governments – are unreachable. While fulfilling the Great Commission in those countries can be challenging, it is not impossible!
Closed to missionaries does not mean closed to the gospel, and that’s where the phrase “creative access” is utilized. Because the Good News spreads most easily through relationships, there are opportunities for evangelism in even the most difficult of circumstances.
Relationships in which the gospel can be shared are developed through:
Students from those countries who study in another country such as the USA
Christian business people whose job has taken them to those countries
Teachers whose particular specialty is in demand in those countries
Christian students who go to those countries to study
Tourists who develop contacts during brief trips to those countries
Internet contacts
Literature
Christian workers imported from third-world countries to provide service labor
Christian radio and television broadcasting from nearby countries
Article adapted by Howard Culbertson. For more content like this, visit: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert
WHATWEDO
Below are some of the areas IBMGlobal serves our missionaries—from contact to commissioning and beyond!
TRAINING
Orientation: Pre-Field Ministry
Guidance: For Sending Church
Assessment: Missions Preparedness
Assistance: Develop Personal
Development Plan
Onboarding: Field Ministry
Global Safety and Security
FINANCIAL
Donation Receipting
Assistance: Develop Support Level Requirements
Personalized Accounting (Donations & Expenses)
Liaison: Donors & Missionaries
Compliance to IRS Guidelines
Administrate: International Health Insurance
Administrate: Retirement Program
MEMBER CARE
Prayer Support
Accountability – Encouragement –Support
Emergency Management & Repatriation (if necessary)
Assistance: Obtain Visa/Work Permit
WE FACILITATE. WE COOPERATE. WE INNOVATE.
OURGOALS
FOR ADVANCING THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTHY, MATURE CHURCHES.
1 2
INDIGENOUS CHURCH – OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.
We minister to people in the means, manner and methods that communicate truth within the context of their culture (I Co. 9:19-23). This results in true worship and brings glory to God (I Co. 10:31).
The parameters of the indigenous church are built upon the precepts of Scripture. We are bound to walk within the boundaries set forth in God’s Word (Is. 8:20). However, it is important to recognize we bring much tradition from our own culture. Cultural traditions must not be mistaken for “thus saith the Lord.” We must be flexible.
SELF-SUPPORTING CHURCH
Though the missionary may initially provide funding to begin the church, the long-term goal is to wean the growing body of believers from financial assistance. Attainable goals, that can be met by faith, need to be set for the congregation. (Ps 37:3-7)
Once financial responsibility has been taken by the church, the missionary must not take it back. In this way, the church body learns to trust God and sees the importance of obedience and personal involvement.
Don’t do for the church what they can do for themselves. (I Tim. 5:8: II Thes. 3:8-10)
Develop the ministry only to the degree the local assembly will be able to financially and capably handle. In the end, programs, building and equipment beyond the means of the mature assembly are counter-productive to the goal of a self-supporting church. It is important that we not establish that which will require continued missionary involvement.
3
SELF-GOVERNING CHURCH
The church is ever-increasingly brought into the decision making process. As spiritual leadership is developed, they should be consulted and in appropriate matters asked for advice (Acts 6:1-6).
The Pastors/Elders are to lead in decisions concerning doctrine, practice and spiritual direction. The church must approve matters of doctrine (Acts 15:22-27).
All matters of financial expenditures from money given by the body must be decided upon by membership (I Cor. 16:3).
The church, under the leadership of the biblically qualified elders, has the responsibility to elect deacons with a heart to serve (Acts 6:1-6).
The church must be taught to take responsibility and to deal with discipline problems within the body in accordance to biblical guidelines and mandates (Matt. 18:15-18). After the church has been established and indigenous leadership is in place, never, under any circumstance does the missionary have the right or authority to force his will in a matter. When called upon, he may offer advice and counsel (See the spirit of I Cor. 5; II Cor. 2; II Cor. 6:11-13). Ownership of facilities and equipment are the responsibility and privilege of the self-governed church (I Cor. 16:3; Acts 2:44).
SELF-PROPAGATING CHURCH 4
A living organism will by its very nature reproduce itself. A selfpropagating church is able and committed to engaging in local evangelistic outreach as the Spirit leads them, carrying out the Great Commission in their local and regional contexts. Multiplication systems are in place to reproduce disciples, small groups, leaders, and ideally other churches.
While missionaries are still involved in this process, extreme care must be taken to allow the trained, qualified leadership within the assembly to minister, be involved in decisions, and assume financial responsibility of the new work.
Special care must be taken to not do for the infant church what they can do themselves. To do so would be counter-productive to the stated goal, discourage participation and make it appear the ministry is a missionary effort instead of an offspring of the mature ministry.
(I Thes. 2:1-13)
The missionary has the responsibility to assist where needed, provide direction and organization and use the new work as a vehicle for leadership development, training and ministry experience.
SELF-THEOLOGIZING CHURCH
Self-teaching: the people should be able to instruct, encourage, urge, and rebuke one another according to God’s Word as the Spirit leads, equips, and gifts them.
Self-interpreting: Relying on God’s Word, the indwelling Spirit, and one another for discernment and accountability, the church should be able to rightly interpret and apply biblical truths to their cultural context. The church applies the teaching of the Bible to the issues, needs, longings, & struggles of their people and that resonate in that culture. It seeks to answer their prominent questions, etc. The church shows how the concerns, themes and motifs of their culture connect with specific truths of the gospel message and Scripture.
SELF-EXPRESSING CHURCH
The church reflects the local culture in the forms employed for worship, music, prayer, and even preaching. Without deviating from the biblical guidelines for worship, they should be able to express themselves in ways they believe to be appropriate to their cultural context.
The new church expresses the emotions that the culture feels! Speaking the language and singing the style of the culture without overly religious talk or compromising truth. The church is not being “seeker-sensitive” (where doctrine is downplayed) but being guest -welcoming, culturally expressive, and skilled in effective, accurate communication.
7
SELF-REPLICATING CHURCH
The church embraces & owns the responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission to the ends of the earth..
Self-replication begins where selfpropagating ends off: not only does the church grow out of its own local witness but now the maturing church becomes responsible for their neighbors, nearby people, their entire nation, and the nations of the world (adopting an Acts 1:8 strategy).
The church gives energy and resources to accomplishing the Great Commission task regionally and globally – not just locally. The church devises means to engage/confront their culture for Christ with or without help from outsiders.
IN GOD’S PLAN
FINDINGYOURPLACE WHATWEOFFER
OPPORTUNITIES
church planting and strengthening orphan care sports camps, youth college ministries construction humanitarian aid/relief with gospel focus
short term experiences mentorships internships (academic)
skilled positions church planting orphan ministries
STEPS
YOUR CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE
LONG-TERM more than 4 years
I believe that God has clearly called me to serve Him as a missionary for the foreseeable future. This is the long term career path He is leading me on.
MID-TERM about 1-4 years
I believe that God has called me to serve Him as a missionary, but I would like more experience to determine the extent of my calling. I would like to work with an experienced missionary to learn more.
SHORT-TERM 2 months - 1 year
I’m curious to learn more about missions. I would like to visit a mission field to gain a better understanding of what missionaries do while using my skills to meet a short term need.
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN
Interview to discuss where you believe God is leading you.
Connection with IBMGlobal Missionaries
Establish clear expectations
Receive support and training
Enjoy customized experience
PART-TIME more than 1 year
I have skills outside of traditional mission work that I believe God would have me use as a part of an established church planting team. I will continue in my profession, but serve part time and self-funded when and where I’m able.
TERN 1-6 months
I’m currently a student or a recent graduate looking to pursue missions. I would like to spend time serving with an estabished ministry to receive mentoring as I determine God’s long term plan for my life.
VOLUNTEER
1 week-2 months
I love serving and desire to help missionaries in whatever needs I can help meet over a school break or vacation.
NEXTSTEPS
FINDING YOUR PLACE IN GOD’S PLAN
TWO PATHS
SERVE AS A SENDER SERVE AS A SENT ONE (ROMANS 10:14)
SCAN FOR MORE RESOURCES
Talk with your pastor/church leaders
Discuss with mentor
Discuss with family
Serve while you prepare Cultivate relationships within your church
Read missionary books (biographies)
Pursue specialized training
Learn as much as you can about missions
Build relationships with missionaries
Encourage missionaries
Pray with and for missionaries Financially partner with missionaries Visit missionaries on the field
Connect missionaries with your church and other potential ministry partners
WE BELIEVE
The following doctrinal statements represent the core theological beliefs for IBMGlobal. A fuller expression of our theological beliefs is found in our STATEMENT OF FAITH.
THE BIBLE
The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the inerrant, infallible, historically reliable, providentially preserved revelation of God and is sufficient for faith and practice. Only the sixtysix books of the traditional Protestant Canon are the true, authoritative Word of God.
GOD
The triune God exists in three persons who are co-eternal in being and co-equal in nature, attributes, and glory: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator of all things in heaven and earth and the providential ruler of all creation.
JESUS
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God, fully man, incarnated by the power of the Holy Spirit through the virginal conception. His vicarious, substitutionary, penal atonement for the sins of mankind was accomplished by the shedding of His blood on the cross, through which He propitiated the wrath of God against sin and sinners. Jesus arose bodily from the dead and ascended in glory to the right hand of the Father.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
As a member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is an actual person, not a mere influence or power. His ministry includes the conviction of sin, illumination and understanding of the Gospel, regeneration leading to the new birth, baptism into the Body of Christ, and empowerment for living the Christian life. Scripture teaches that Christ sent the Spirit to indwell believers and that the Holy Spirit gives
gifts as well as enablement to believers for living the Christian life. Sign gifts as mentioned in the New Testament and observed in the early Church have fulfilled their purpose and are not a normative pattern for today.
SALVATION
Justification is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ’s vicarious, propitiatory, penal atonement alone and is freely offered to all who will repent of their sins and believe on Christ. The new birth comes through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
MAN
Mankind is the special creation of God made in His own image, created male and female, who will live for all eternity either in heaven or hell. Adam’s rebellion against God resulted in universal human depravity; men and women are unable to save themselves from the just wrath of God or deliver themselves from the penalty of eternal death and torment for sin. God has the right to impose moral and ethical mandates on humanity, which He has done generally through human conscience and specifically through His Word. These mandates include norms for sexual identity and behavior, marriage between a man and a woman, and the protection and preservation of human life from conception.
THE CHURCH
The New Testament teaches that the local church is central to God’s plan for this age—for the proclamation of the Gospel, the defense of truth, the preaching of the Word, and the worship of God by His people.
SANCTIFICATION
God’s will for His people is that we should be holy and increasingly like Christ for His glory. Holiness includes guarding the truth from error, maintaining purity in faith and doctrine, and pursuing a life and practice that is in keeping with Scripture and in clear antithesis to the surrounding sinful culture. Fidelity to Scripture in our progressive sanctification compels us to intentionally separate from sin, worldliness, false teaching, and persistently disobedient brothers in Christ.
THE FUTURE
Jesus Christ will return visibly to deliver His people, judge the world, and establish His kingdom for God’s glory.
MISSIONS
Through the local church, we believe God sets apart those whom He chooses to carry the gospel across ethnic and cultural borders. These men and women are called by the Holy Spirit and are sent by the local church with the primary task of preaching the gospel and discipling those who receive Christ as their Savior through a life-touching-life ministry. The local church is vital to the spiritual growth and health of every genuine Christian. Scripture teaches that God calls, and the church recognizes only spiritually qualified men for the office of pastor/elder.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FROM PROSPECTIVE MISSIONARIES
AM I QUALIFIED TO BECOME A MISSIONARY?
IBMGlobal desires to train and facilitate missionaries to reach those who are without the Savior.
We acknowledge that God has bestowed different gifts and abilities; therefore, the following have been set forth as the qualifications necessary to become an IBMGlobal missionary:
Affirmation of a true conversion displayed through godly character and spiritual maturity
Daily fellowship with God through prayer and devotions
Member in good standing and recommendation from your local church
Passion for souls through regular participation in evangelism
Abstinence from practices that would hinder ministry
Commitment to learning and practicing creative ministry
Appropriate Biblical and theological knowledge
Because a missionary will encounter various situations while on the field, IBMGlobal considers the following life skills indispensable:
Strategic Planning
Cultural Awareness
Interpersonal & Relational Development
Conflict Resolution
Time & Fiduciary Management
Writing & Communication
Administrative Abilities
WHAT THEOLOGICAL TRAINING
IS NECESSARY?
We appreciate the training being provided by Bible College and Seminaries, but we also recognize the local church can and should be a training ground for developing a person’s head, heart, and hands for ministry. IBMGlobal relies on the recommendation of the commissioning church and does extensive testing throughout the application process to determine the candidate’s preparedness.
HOW IS SUPPORT LEVEL DETERMINED?
Financial support differs based upon geographical location as well as the needs of the missionary family. Support needs will be evaluated regularly to ensure the missionary is appropriately supported. The IBMGlobal administrative team, in conjunction with the missionary and his sending church, determines the appropriate level of support necessary for each ministry. Each missionary is responsible for raising and sustaining their support level.
HOW ARE MISSIONARIES FUNDED?
HOW IS IBMGLOBAL FUNDED?
WHAT DOES IBMGLOBAL STAND FOR?
Missionaries are funded through donations from local churches and individual Christians who send in their pledged contribution to IBMGlobal to handle the record receipting, record-keeping, and ensuring that the funds get to the missionaries on the field for their personal salaries and ministry expenses.
SUPPORT A MISSIONARY SUPPORT IBMGLOBAL
As a non-profit organization, we are faithfully trusting God and diligently seeking His provision for every need. In addition to administrative service fees being c each missio the services provide, IBM invites local and individu to become partners wh sacrifically g support our mission so t keep admin fees for the as low as po
IBMGlobal stands for “Indigenous Biblical Ministries Global,” however, our legal name is simply IBMGlobal. Therefore any checks or donations made must simply be made out to IBMGlobal.
WHY SHOULD MISSIONARIES
UTILIZE A MISSION AGENCY?
Although local churches send out members to be missionaries, most local churches do not have the detailed financial, legal, or cultural understanding and skills to meet the unique needs that cross-cultural missionaries encounter regularly. Mission agencies have gained such understanding and developed such skills in order to be a tool in the toolbox of the local church. As a foreign mission agency, IBMGlobal has committed to facilitating the following services for each missionary who is a part of IBMGlobal.
Provide financial services such as receipting donors in compliance with IRS regulations , payroll services, tax withholding, and international fund transfers as necessary.
Provide the option of a retirement plan
Provide the option of a global medical insurance plan. Assist the missionaries in certain purchases and shipping of necessary supplies not accessible to the missionary on the field. Assist in resolution of field related issues arising between missionaries and governments (USA and foreign).
Training in the areas of cross-cultural life, finances, and ministry.
Visit each missionary as encouragement and for accountability.
Specialty training and services for those ministering in restricted access areas.
HOW DOES IBMGLOBAL HANDLE
INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCIES?
IBMGlobal has a team of global safety and security advisors as part of our missionary services department. This team works with the missionaries on each field to establish an emergency management plan in the event of a natural disaster, medical emergency, or geo-political crisis.
IBMGlobal will not unilaterally mandate a missionary to leave the field in the event of such emergencies. Rather, our leadership convenes a crisis management team specifically designated to partner with the missionaries and their commissioning church in evaluating the situation, advising on the best course of action, and implementing appropriate contingency plans. Evacuation from the field is a decision that ultimately resides with the missionary and the commissioning church.
ALL CHRISTIANS MUST ENGAGE IN GLOBAL MISSIONS
LEARNMORE
Do you believe IBMGlobal may be the organization for you?
Do you want assistance in determining what to do next?
Reach out and let us help you.
