The goal is to start indigenous churches that are part of their nation and culture, not ours. Then they will be able to function and reproduce without dependence on financing or leadership from outside earthly sources.
Jesus is the example for evangelizing the lost, finding those that respond to the gospel, and training the indigenous people. 1 Peter 2:21 and Matthew 10:24-25a
- Matthew 9:35 Jesus preached to “all the cities and villages”.
- Matthew 5:1-2 Jesus worked with those that responded.
- Mark 3:14 out of that group, He “ordained twelve”.
The apostle Paul followed Jesus’ example. Philippians 3:17 and 4:9
- Romans 15:19 Paul preached everywhere.
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul preached the gospel
- Acts 17:4 Paul worked with those who responded.
- Acts 14:23 Paul ordained men in the churches.
New Testament indigenous missions principles.
- Mark 1:14-15 Our resources (time, money, attention) first go to the message (the gospel).
- Matthew 9:37-38 ask the Lord of the harvest for laborers.
- Matthew 10 use reproducible means of evangelism (that the locals can do).
- Luke 10:6 find the son of peace and deal with the responsive.
- Mark 3:14 the discipleship method of development and training (personal training, one on one mentorship)
- Acts 14 national pastors in the congregations (less missionary/more indigenous pastor leading).
- Romans 16:3 and 16:5-15 get the people first and then the building.
- Acts 20:27-28 trust the Holy Spirit to develop and guide national pastors.
- Romans 15:23a slowly back away.
Help them achieve autonomy (the real goal).
- Proverbs 3:5-6 they depend on the Lord.
- Acts 14:21-23 they train their own leaders.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 and Philippians 4:15-16 they take responsibility for the work.
Faith and love make it work
- Hebrews 11:6 just start by faith and God will take over.
- Mark 7:37 don’t say no, if God prompts a direction, then do it.
- John 3:16, Colossians 3:14-15, John 13:34-35 love is the key. This is God’s motive for missions.
We will follow the outline above as established by Jesus’ earthly ministry and proven by Paul’s missionary example. We will go to where the people are and evangelize the lost. We will concentrate on those that respond. We will pray for laborers in those that God saves. We will start with a bible study in a local venue. We will mentor and disciple those that God moves to serve Him. We will add praise and worship through hymns to the bible study. We will graduate to Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening services in addition to the weekly bible study. We will train an indigenous pastor and equip him to lead his congregation. We will allow God to work in the life of the church and when ready we will repeat this process to start the next work.
Thank you, brother Robert Creech, for your guidance.