Loving the Peoples of the World as Well as the Missionaries

Scripture tells us, “that they will know that you are Mine by your love one for the other.” That is a difficult statement, but shows us where we are with Him and can and should be used as a yard stick in self-examination to see exactly where we are in the scope of things. Truth is, that we either love and move in love or we do not. We are called to move in love, which can only be done by His Spirit and that comes from us being broken, giving up our will and ways for Him and His ways, being filled with His Spirit. It does not have to do with how much power or how well we can teach or preach, but has to do with His presence and scripture also tells us that He Tabernacles with His people, because His people desire to dwell or Tabernacle with Him.

Historically the focus on missions has been in the past in supporting the missionary and the family. That is important, but what is equally important is walking the missionary in their calling. The missionary adopts the people and if we are supporting the mission field we will adopt those that the missionary adopts. In doing so we demonstrate God’s love and His way of doing things. Anything less cannot and will not work and will be just a temporary solution instead of a long-term fix. A missionary can only do what they are empowered to do. God does empower people to do the job, but the walls in a given area come down because of the prayer support in adopting the people. The walls come down because we seek His presence and His will for the people and release His Spirit on those being adopted so they can be taken into the light.

Once in the light people do need to accept His ways and seek His will. In His will the body will be edified and each member will come to maturity so they will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and only the five-fold gift ministry can do that. Scripture also tells us that we are not dealing with flesh and blood, but with powers and principalities, which can only be overcome by the blood of the Lamb through the words of our testimony as we speak in line with His words. It comes by prayer, praise and commanding demonic forces to depart, understanding there is a difference between prayer, praise and commands. Prayer brings increase and the last thing any of us need is more demonic activity. Prayer always bring increase, while praise, praises Him for being Lord over all and commands gives us the ability to loose and bind spiritual influence. What it takes is for His people to understand who we are in Him so we can work together in His way, to accomplish His will. He gave us all power in heaven and in earth but we need to be moved by His Spirit understanding His ways for His will to be accomplished. Simply put, do things His way and we will get His result. Do things our way and it becomes a mess, (II Chronicles 7:14). How do we know if it is the right way or not? Besides the fact that His Spirit confirms all things from Him, Scripture also tells us if we understand what it says. Good seed will always produce good fruit.

Adopting people works. It is His will and when accomplished His way brings His fruit and His result, which is what we all should be after. The ODB, Adoption Program focus is on Adoption as He has Adopted us. We are to do what He does. So we adopt people, missionaries, groups, churches, tribes and languages in His way for the body to work as one body to reach all globally, (Psalm 67). It starts by understanding His ways in walking together by His Spirit (Amos 3:3) and in prayer, not just for those sent, but those they reach out to. It is a strategy that works because it is ordained of God. All strategies of God start with a vision and from a vision we can seek His will and His plan in how to reach others whether it be across the globe or across the street. Why do this? Because it is His will that we do and for His blessing, but we need to be resolved to doing it all His way in His covenants for their to be covenant provision. It is so good seed will be sown for the soil to receive the seed, for it to grow to become and good tree and produce fruit of its own kind.

What works and what does not work!

For most churches, the greatest weakness in developing a mission strategy is seeing the sending of missionaries as an end in itself or all that is needed. The result is that if our strategy fails (i.e., missionaries return), we forget all about the goal! Most missionaries from mainstream denominations focus on evangelism. While the gospel message sells itself it takes time to see that what is started, stays the course and comes to maturity so those that come to Christ can do what they are called to do. Regrettably, often times evangelism is not followed up on. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and leads people in all truth, but because of what He established and put into motion, He still uses the five-fold gift ministry and teachers to teach the truth and demonstrate His will. It costs a lot of money, time and prayer to reach out to people in any given area and costs more and more if things are not done His way.

What are His ways and what does it take?

1) It all starts with having His heart so His will is done on earth as it is in heaven to reach all globally.

2) It takes the body to accept the responsibility, commitment and resolve to stay the course and seek Him in how that is going to happen.

3) It takes vision. “My people perish for lack of vision.” With the vision comes direction.

4) Prayer, speaking it forward and seeking Him how to bring the vision together. Gathering the team. It is a team effort.

5) Trained people, starting with missionaries. (apostolic calling)

6) The five fold Gift Ministry (evangelistic calling)

7) Church Planting so there will be long term self sustaining growth. Both spiritually and financially. (Prophetic calling so people understand who they are in Him and where they fit into the body. New outreaches also need a Pastor and teachers to teach His ways in His Covenants).

8) Finances: If church planting is done properly where all are reached in an area, both those without money and those with money will come into the body. Finances are required in the short term depending on the area. Some areas as we know have severe problems such as drought and starvation, but with more churches coming together that tithe will offset the cost of all outreaches.

9) Study materials and Bibles depending on the area.

10) Time: Time to put it together. Time for His Spirit to move.

11) Good reporting back to sponsors as to what is happening for prayer and finances.

The body needs to see missions from a standpoint that they are an equally important part of the work as much as the missionaries that are sent. We in the body need to walk with all that are sent. It is not just the missionary that needs the support, but the work. We need to run the race set before us, but also stay the course. By the way, there are blessing for those in the body that stay the course.

What then does it mean to adopt a people? It means that a church, or a group within a church, works through their chosen and approved mission agency to provide informed, concerned, dedicated prayer and financial support for a specific unreached people group. It means maintaining that commitment until a church planting movement is started that can reach the rest of the people without needing outside cross-cultural help. We are "adopting" the people group into our congregation, denomination or mission agency. They become a part of us and if done properly we become a part of them. We are praying, giving, and serving to see a people adopted into God's family. We know that one day this will be accomplished as every tribe, tongue, people and nation will give glory to God around His throne (Revelation 5-9).

Adopting a people group does not mean giving up current prayer and financial support for our missionaries, but prayerfully all work together as one body for His will to be done in reaching everyone and building and edifying each member of the body.

Gathering the Team

It all starts with an understanding that all things are to edify the body to build the body and each member. When this is done the glory goes to God and He brings good fruit, increase and His blessings to all that become involved. Scripture tells us that what we do to the least of these we do unto Him. It is about equipping the saints, edifying and building the body and each member. How we show our love to Him is by reaching out to others in His name and love, starting with the following:

1. Recruit Prayer: Pray 1) Pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Seek for the adoption to be recognized as a valuable missions strategy by the congregation; 2) that members will be excited about reaching the lost within a particular people, (it saves lives); 3) for selection of a particular people according to God's leading; and 4) for God to call enthusiastic committed persons to form an adoption committee.

2. Identify an Adoption Coordinator: Someone must "own" this vision and provide strong leadership for an adoption to be a successful reality. The coordinator will be someone who believes in adoption as God’s will and an effective strategy tool and will commit him/herself to see it implemented. If you feel unable to take on this role yourself, ask God to bring to mind those with whom you could share this vision and develop as coordinator.

3. Meet with interested people: Organize the church adoption committee and make it a part of your churches active regular mission board to gather information and to sponsor the adoption process through your church's approval structure. Missions is about prayer, equipping the body, sending the body and funding those sent. For growth of each in the church, each person in the church should be involved in the mission’s work on some level. It is one way to get the congregation to move and become involved in the church. The more involved, the more committed believers become and the more blessings there will be both for the church and for each that becomes involved. We need each other to exhort one another and encourage one another to go deeper in the things of God and His work. Adoption works! The adoption program is good for your existing missionaries that you currently support and for opening up new ground in the mission’s field. It comes together because it is God’s will but also because there is in existence better communications systems today!

4. Identify the decision makers (ALL BELIEVERS) God has a plan for each member of the body and each in the body needs to know His plan for their lives. If you seek God, you will find that adoption is part of His plan. Let everyone work together for a common cause to save lives to pray for specific missions, missionaries and the people. Make sure you work with Missionaries that will connect with you in for prayer. When His people gather in agreement and touch anything, it will be done. There is real power in working with a missionary in prayer. Today because of better communications we can know what is happening and to who and what to pray for, TODAY and you will see result, NOW! It is His promise! If we take that one step further and the person in your church, after finding out what is happening in the mission field will contact ODB, you can have as many as 1 million believers praying about any given thing. THAT’S POWER! THE POWER OF GOD TO DELIVER AND CHANGE LIVES!

The next thing is for your group to not only pray for your missions program and missionaries and those they serve, but also join with others in the body to pray for others. THEY WILL PRAY FOR YOU ADOPTION PROGRAM AND YOU PRAY FOR THEIR NEEDS AND ADOPTION PROGRAM.

5. Principles of Power in Multiplication: As the adoption program grows in your church and you see that those involved grow and you witness God’s hand in your church and the mission’s field, share with others in your denomination of what is working and help them get started.

Selecting a People

What factors will influence the selection of a particular people?

1) Make sure that it is God’s will that you adopt a people. If you know it is God’s will you are more likely to stay with it.

2) Scripture tells us that those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. It is important you seek God as to who you pray for and how, because often times we pray in error. In all things pray in His Spirit and through His Spirit. He does know what is needed and after all it is His work and His ministry when we do things His way. Do things our own way and it does not often work and causes problems.

Beyond that, decision-making factors may be grouped in three general categories: counsel, existing links, and statistics. Your group will first want to discuss and decide which factors are most pertinent to your decision. As you pray and gather information based on your criteria, focus will gradually narrow to the choice God has for you.

Counsel

You may choose to seek counsel at the outset, to steer you through your information gathering and selection phase or even to simply assign an unreached people to your group which needs adopting.

Adoption Counseling Services: Through ODB’s Outreach consulting services, Global Missions Initiative and the Christian News Herald we have for the most part up to date information on all parts of the globe. We also have resources if you are desiring to adopt individuals, missionaries and or existing missions outreaches. This can be a big help to answer the questions that this program may not answer.
Church Leadership Burden: This comes from leadership either seeing the body as a local thing in a church building or sees the body as a global thing that is to work as one body in His will to accomplish His will both globally and locally. It starts with God’s vision, our submitting to His way’s and having a vision to accomplish His will. From there we can help with other steps and resources.

Existing Links (things to consider)

Familiarity: It may be wise to choose a people already related to your mission program, or to choose one specifically because you have had no previous involvement in the region--in order to broaden the scope of your mission outreach. If you have an existing missions program we can help to be a link between the missions or missionaries you currently support and the rest of the body.
Language Link: Identify what special language resources are within your congregation. Such abilities could be especially valuable on a prayer or research journey. The concept is that the missionaries could assist, at crucial junctures, in speaking to this people on behalf of the church.
Denominational Link: Some denominations are eager to provide names of unreached peoples where they are working, where there are indigenous churches nearby, or which they have targeted for mission outreach. Contact your denominational mission board to see what information is available and let them know that ODB will work with them and those in the field.
Local Links: Depending on the area you are in, there may be a local group or church of immigrants from a particular people, or an individual immigrant in your area who might work with you. Such a group could offer meaningful local ministry opportunities to your church.
Networks/Partnerships: Perhaps you have links to a congregation in another culture and can partner with them. An enriching dynamic occurs when churches of different cultures can partner to reach an unreached people. The body is to work together in all things to accomplish much. What is important is that you let us know what direction you are taking as we are working to recruit churches to become involved and if you are adopting a people or area, it will help us with reaching out to other churches and areas and it will help you as we will better be able to support your efforts.
Missionary Links: Your church, as it promotes the concept of adopting a people, can build upon relationships with missionaries, which your congregation currently support and perhaps others that ODB is already working with depending on the area. As was previously stated we cross denominational lines and work with other missions agencies that are currently in the field in an effort to reach all with His love and provision.
Business/Vocational Links: It is important to understand that some countries do not allow missionaries. They do allow business, medical teams and teachers depending on the area. Often there are natural business, health or educational ties to an unreached people. For example, General Motors has not only plants globally but they also have suppliers globally in many parts of the world, even in China. While it is true that many countries are closed to missionaries, they are open to receiving help from medical teams, business teams for economic growth, agricultural growth and educational growth. We have found that while some missionaries may through seed, others plant, while other water, nurture and weed. It is why the body needs to work together to know who is doing what to reduce confusion. Currently as much a two thirds of the world population have not heard the gospel message. This is due in part because there are overlaps in the mission field because the body has not worked together. There is a way into all countries. It takes God’s leading, vision, purpose, prayer, supply and the body to work as one body for the great commission to be fulfilled.
Church Adoptions: Does your group want to consider a people that no one else has yet adopted, or does it want one which areas where there are already some things being accomplished but need further help? Because of the Internet we are able to communicate with all corners of the globe. We are able to even talk over the Internet at little of no cost instead of expensive phone chargers. This has reduced costs and increased efficiency. There are a host of small churches out there that need prayers and help, because someone else brought the seed in and it needs to be watered and cared for so it can be a crop to reach others and solve economic problems in local communities. ODB works to deal with the whole person and not just the spirit person. We have learned that while some need economic help, others need agricultural help with food, and others still need medical help, but each need to be cared for in their bodies, souls and spirit to stay the course.
Size: How large or small a people do you wish to adopt? Some are only several thousand in number while others are several million. How about adopting an industry or medical need or those that are going hungry. Today there are some 12,000 per day starving to death, that really need the love of the body. We can end starvation and host of other problems if we are willing to work as one body in His will and purpose, being led by His Spirit.
Religion: Is there a certain religion or sect within a religion that your church wants to target? GMI has the globe broken down into the major religions.
Location: Is geography significant? You may prefer a people living near missionaries already associated with your church or denomination. If you intend to send a prayer or research team in the future, this could be an advantage.
Accessibility: Does your church want to send prayer journey teams, research teams, or church planting teams? Many countries restrict missionaries from entering their borders (for example, India, China, or Yemen), but may allow Christians to enter as business professionals, teachers and medical. One of the major reasons peoples are unreached is because they are inaccessible to traditional ways of presenting the gospel. Does your congregation have a special affinity for farmers, herdsmen, or fishermen? These are examples of demographic needs. Do you want to adopt an urban, rural, or nomadic people? This could present some peculiar challenges for a church and missionary, who might have to adopt a nomadic lifestyle in order to reach them. It all starts with the home church adopting the people and seeking God in how to reach them and being willing to work to do so.
Nearby Ministry Opportunities: Across the street or across the city, there are people in need all over the place and the only one that can solve the problem is Christ, both the head and the body. In addition, there are many cities that support large religious communities such as a large Muslim or Hindu culture.
Resources: It is a considerable task to keep your congregation informed and praying for an unreached people. This comes from people already in the field being aware of local needs. In praying in agreement in His will these needs can be met, which will open the door for people to receive from God as they are cared for by the body. As one missionary may through seed or water or nurture it is all an investment in the future to reach out to all in His ways so He will take care of all of us. After all He is the only that can but we all have to be willing to do it His way. He is El Shaddai, the provider.

There is no end to the number of questions, which your church could ask itself in the selection and adoption process. We hope that the issues raised here will help your church zero in on some critical elements of its decision-making. The key is understanding that we the body have been given the keys to the kingdom and all power in heaven and earth to get the job done, but it takes us doing things His way according to His covenant provision.

We are responsible…..

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, We want our hand always to be there.

For that we are responsible.

We are responsible both to God and each other.

"Together we can make a change, we can make a difference!"

"God gave us His Son, Spirit, Love, Direction, Purpose, Gifts, and free will. He gave us all the basic tools to either care for Him and others or care just for ourselves.

It is a choice either way, to either learn to work together to solve problems, but at the end, when it is all said and done, our true hearts will be exposed. We are given two things to do, love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Top

Ministries Site Map | ODB, Home | Ministries | Bible Institute | Contact Us