Global Missions Give.Pray.Go
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Partnerships 3
PARTNERSHIPS Eastgate supports global mission through fostering partnerships with mission organisations and individuals working overseas. The Missions Team and Elders discuss the way each partnership looks and any ongoing commitments or expectations that we make with each partner. A detailed partnership agreement: • Provides a focus for overseas mission. • Facilitates Eastgaters to participate in the overseas work. • Fosters ongoing relationship and clarifies the expectations of Eastgate and our partner. • Provides some level of assurance in regards to the quality of the work being done and the safety of our mission workers. Partnerships can be with: • A particular organisation/church. • Individual people/families.
Global missions is all about responding to the biblical call to serve and share the gospel with people all around the globe. Especially those areas where Christian witness is weak. 4
FRAMEWORK FOR EACH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS We give: • To vetted work – partnership ensures that the need is real. • To reported work – partnership requires regular reporting so that we know how the work is going. • Via a faith promise system.
We pray: • For reported work – regular reports ensure we receive prayer and praise updates. • Via regular email sent out to pray-ers. • Via the monthly missions bookmark attached to our Sunday newsletter.
We go: • On a variety of short term trips organised by Eastgate, of 1-2 weeks duration to visit our partners. • We also provide contact and support for longer mission work of 6 months to 10 years.
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FOCUS ON TRAINING LEADERS AND PLANTING CHURCHES Born in Auckland, living in Indonesia since 2005, Kim Goodwin has a strong prophetic ministry and is powerfully led to train and equip Christians for the mission field. Under the umbrella of ‘Commissioned to Go’, Kim has established ‘Go Bible College’ to equip Indonesians to work in local and international mission. The school also runs outreach training events into Indonesia and surrounding villages. These include the homeless church that meet on the railway lines, supporting children in an orphanage and visiting lepers. Various relief efforts in rural villages are also run depending on local events. The school sends out church planting teams to Borneo, some of which are sponsored by Eastgate. In the future Kim is looking to expand and develop in a greater way the church planting work across the whole of Borneo. As a church we are committed to supporting the work in Indonesia through encouragement, finance and prayer. An Eastgate team visits every two years. Teams have opportunities to experience Indonesian culture, see how Christianity works in a cross-cultural setting, visit Jakarta, small villages, a leprosy hospital, and the Bible school.
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FOCUS ON BUILDING GREAT KIDS CAMP ENVIRONMENTS Eastgate partners with Scripture Union, working in the islands of Vanuatu. Scripture Union runs several literature initiatives with national churches and schools and also runs a camp site in Port Vila to host a number of children’s discipleship camps. Our teams provide ongoing maintenance and property development work. As a church we have committed to support the work in Vanuatu through practical help, encouragement and prayer. Join one of our short term trips to Vanuatu each year and experience Christianity within a Melanesian culture. We worship at a local Nivan Church and where possible visit other local venues. Our main purpose is to assist in practical ways around the campsite. This is suitable for anyone keen to lend a hand and grow their faith.
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FOCUS ON STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP Eastgate supports Bruce Hills, the International Director for World Outreach International. Bruce speaks at Eastgate regularly and has a vast list of opportunities for individuals and teams to be involved in missions through World Outreach. Bruce has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years and is known and respected around Australia for his prophetic insight and inspiring preaching. He ministers in many Majority World countries, speaking at leaders’ seminars and conferences. For nine years (2000-2009) Bruce pastored one of Australia’s largest churches. He joined the World Outreach International team in July 2010. Bruce has been married to Fiona since 1983 and lives in Melbourne, Australia. They have three grown children and grandchildren. It is our privilege to support and partner with Bruce in this role.
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FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING CHURCH LEADERSHIP TEAMS In Mongolia we partner with Asian Outreach. For a number of years, we have supported Badmaa Tsogoo, a local Christian leader who is now the National Director of Asian Outreach Mongolia. Badmaa and his wife Ulzii have three children, Pearl, Emerald and Glory. Asian Outreach is committed to training church leaders and supporting local community projects that promote long-term change and development in children and families. As part of developing closer links, we are able to visit and experience firsthand Christianity amongst an indigenous people group and see ‘native’ led mission and leadership training amongst local churches. Mongolia has been traditionally Buddhist and Shamanist – teams will observe how these views and values influence both personal faith and outreach.
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FOCUS ON REACHING THE UNREACHED In the Himalayan foothills our mission partners, Benjamin and Eliza (not their real names), are pastoral leaders coming alongside more than 50 local groups of believers. Preaching the gospel, training leaders, living with and loving poor and unreached communities is what Benjamin and Eliza do best. For more than 20 years their work has reaped a multitude of new churches, health clinics, orphanages and training centres. With next to no material wealth, they live by faith and have seen many miraculous healings and answers to prayer. Their passion is to see those who have no other opportunity of hearing the gospel receive the good news and follow Christ’s example. Reaching out beyond themselves Benjamin and Eliza also support the Global Nepalese-Speaking Church Fellowship. Along with financial and prayer support, we send small teams throughout the year to assist in medic care, bible teaching, and practical helps.
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FOCUS ON CHILD EDUCATION AND WELLBEING Eastgate partners with Tearfund and Compassion International to support a cluster of projects within the region of Kupang, West Timor. These projects based out of a local church, aim to assist communities to have good education, good health, and enough food and shelter. Alongside, providing prayer and one off donations for these projects, the missions team encourage you and your household to sponsor a child that is involved in one of these projects. From time to time, in consultation with Tearfund, Eastgate teams or individuals will have the opportunity to visit these projects and spend time visiting with sponsored children and families. “Keen to sponsor a child? Ring 0800 800 777 or email enquiries@tearfund. org.nz. You will need to tell them you are from Eastgate so that Tearfund connects you with a child in our sponsorship area.
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FOCUS ON REACHING THE WORLD WHILE LIVING IN NZ Within our home based congregation we support two families who are working in international mission agencies, including supporting other overseas workers while themselves living here in Pakuranga, East Auckland. Jay Matenga Wood and Pauline Wood have been serving in global missions from their base in NZ for over 25 years. Since November 2015, Jay is the Director of Missions Interlink NZ, which facilitates collaboration between mission organisations within NZ. In April 2018, adjunct to his Missions Interlink role, he was also appointed as an Associate Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission, the global alliance of mission organisations. With his missions training and experience, Jay assists leaders and teams across many denominations and organisations locally and globally to become more effective in their mission’s vision. Tim and Fiona Taylor have been serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators for the past 15 years. Wycliffe exists to make Scripture available through Bible translation to all peoples in the languages they know best. Tim uses his skills to manage and create media and communications, while Fiona is responsible for member care and Bible storytelling training.
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Communication 16
GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNICATION When emailing, writing letters or sending postcards to our partners, there are some things you need to consider. Many partners work in countries where Christian work is difficult and persecution is rife. Partners need to ensure that the Government has no reason to decline their visas. Many countries scan emails for Christian activity or political action. We need to ensure that our correspondence with partners will not lead to any problems. Please do not: • Mention words like ‘evangelism’, ‘outreach’, ‘conversions’, ‘bible’, ‘Jesus’, or any mission organisation. • Comment on state religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc. • Refer to partners as missionaries. • Criticise the country, its religion or political freedoms, human rights, poverty or environmental concerns etc. • Forward or attach other mission related emails or letters. • Send support money or money you want to give them, unless it is a birthday or Christmas gift. • Send money or gifts directly.
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Please do: Write and support them. Specifically emails on birthdays and other special occasions are welcomed. Talk about church, prayer and other activities you are interested in (but don’t’ make this a focus of the letter). Get in touch with us. If you are unsure about email and correspondence guidelines then a Mission Team member would be happy to discuss this with you or your group. Contact office@eastgatecc.org.nz.
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Faith Promise and Pledge 18
FAITH PROMISE Is there a scriptural basis for Faith Promise missions giving? Faith Promise takes God’s call to give generously, seriously and joyfully (2 Corinthians 8:2-5, 9:6-15). As we give from what He has given us we recognise that He is the God who works so that “all peoples of the earth would be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) and that we are called to be part of that work, demonstrating love for God, His work and His people (Philippians 2:1-4, Romans 12:9-10). What is Faith Promise? Faith Promise is one way of responding to the call to reach the world with the truth about Jesus. Prayerfully consider how much to give, then commit yourself to that in faith or by filling out a Faith Promise card at Eastgate at our annual mission weekend. What’s the relationship between Faith Promise and regular giving? Faith promise is giving outside of your regular giving. While regular giving helps to run our local church and its ministries, Faith Promise is specifically for Global Missions. All money given is used only for work overseas and expresses our desire that the whole world knows the Good News.
You Will Notice that the Third Sunday in Each Month we Take Up a Special Offering Called ‘Faith Promise’.
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Do I give my Faith Promise pledge before I get it? A Faith Promise is a FAITH commitment. Promise only what you believe God wants to give through you, then trust God to be faithful in this promise. Your Faith Promise involvement says that you believe evangelism is vital to accomplishing the mission of the church, that the gospel of Jesus can change lives, that giving, although important, is secondary to faith and praying and that God will provide where we are obedient. Is Faith Promise the only way I can participate in missions giving? At Eastgate we offer other opportunities for people to give throughout the year. You can choose to give additional offerings at these times in response to the Lord’s direction. Outside of Faith Promise monthly offerings, there is opportunity for you to give to one off needs: short term mission trips, projects or any of our partners. These are by single love offerings or automatic payments etc.
Donations to general Faith Promise fund qualify for the Government’s one third tax rebate, though gifts to specific partners do not qualify.
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Freely You Have Received... Freely Give. 21
MAKING A FAITH PROMISE A Faith Promise commitment may be made at any time throughout the year. Everyone is asked to reassess their giving each September at our annual missions weekend, so that a budget can be set for the following year.
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How do I make a Faith Promise? Spend time reading the Bible and in prayer, ask God to speak to you and consider the amount you can give. Do not be surprised at what God lays on your heart, just be obedient. Once you have decided on a figure: divide the total by 52 or 26 or 12 (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) contributions according to your individual pay schedule. How do I give my Faith Promise pledge? We set aside one Sunday per month to collect regular Faith Promise. You can also give by a regular AP or internet banking. Will I be notified of my progress? This is a promise to God, not a pledge to the church. No one will notify you or keep track of your progress toward your commitment. It is for you to monitor. What is the advantage of Faith Promise giving? By giving a monthly Faith Promise we aim to make world mission part of regular life rather than a one-off event.
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Jesus said: “Go into all the World to Preach the Gospel”.
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THINKING OF DOING MISSION WORK OVERSEAS? Short Term At Eastgate we love to see people released to go overseas on mission work. Each year we offer a number of short term team opportunities. These are affordable and offer a variety of experiences and cultures for people of all ages. We encourage everyone to go on a short term trip at least once in their lifetime. To find out more about what’s coming up, visit www.eastgatecc. org/groups/mission. Long Term Missions Do you sense a call to long term missions work? We want to encourage each person to step out in whatever way and to whichever country God is calling them. Eastgate has adopted a ‘Global Mission Policy’ that discusses the process and guidelines for being supported financially. Please ask for one at the i-Centre or church office and talk with someone on the missions team for further info. We will do all we can to support and release you to pursue God’s calling. Other Mission work We have a number of people from within the congregation who are involved in missions projects or agencies with whom the Eastgate missions team do not have a formal partnership. These are no less important in the work of God around the world, and from time to time you will hear a testimony or a request to pray for these. If you are involved in mission work we would love to hear about it!
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5 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga 2010 office@eastgatecc.org • 09 576 1500 www.eastgatecc.org.nz