Global Outreach Website

Sep 29

This week is the fourth of ten blog entries on the values of Global Outreach. We believe ministry is most effectively done by trained national leadership within their own culture.   

What do packing all your possessions in a coffin, taking a month-long boat ride, and trail-blazing Anglos have in common with missions in the 21st century? Answer: absolutely nothing! In today’s world of cell phones, internet cafés, and jet planes, numerous realities have emerged, among them globalization, aviation, accessibility of ideas and expertise, and the shift of Christianity’s center of gravity from the Northern to the Southern hemisphere. The day of the Western pioneer-type missionary is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

Even global corporations have discovered that, at a fraction of the cost of sending a western employee to live and work overseas, they can outsource jobs to people in other countries who interact well with the indigenous people.  While there is still a place for strategic career missionaries, someone other than a “westerner” is many times better suited for the task of evangelism in a non-western setting. Consider how they know the language, the culture, and the needs so well.

A few of the indigenous leaders that Perimeter is privileged to partner include:

• Osni Ferreira & Jonathan Santos – Brazil (partner for 2 years)


• Andrzej and Lucas Bajenski – Poland (partner for 5 years)


• Nitin Sardar – India (partner for 13 years)


• Hermann Alb – Guatemala (partner for 20 years)

Kingdom Value is created in the empowerment of indigenous leaders in a city.  They already have the cultural and relational capital to take Perimeter’s unique strengths (Life-on-Life Missional Discipleship and Collaborative Church-based Community Transformation) and multiply them in their  own city and abroad in ways we could not. “After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned… strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith.”  Acts 14:21-22a

Our role is one of facilitation; that is, coming alongside God’s indigenous church and helping build her capacity to bring Kingdom transformation to her particular sphere of influence and beyond. This will require a proclivity for such things as partnering, brokering, team building, collaboration and strategic thinking.   You can practice those skills on a GO Journey.  After that, you can serve on a Non-Resident Missionary Team or meet with GO about mid-term and long-term opportunities overseas.