Introduction
Greyfriars has a long tradition as a missionary sending church. In an ever changing world there are still needs for people to go overseas usually working alongside the indigenous church as partners in God’s Mission to share the gospel with all people. Mission Partners may be evangelists or church planters, but they are more likely to work in church or mission sponsored projects as doctors, nurses, agriculturalists etc. In some cases where the church is under pressure mission partners may have to supplement their role by secular employment. Greyfriars supports over 20 mission partners in more than 12 locations through prayer, finances and pastoral care.
Mission Partners
The links below will take you to the websites of some of our Mission Partners.
- OASIS Kevin and Kate Brits
- REAP Roger and Jos Sharland
- Pioneers UK/REAP David & Emma Craig
- Mountainview Richard and Riekje Wallace
- Pioneers UK Emmanuel and Grace Sharland
- Bangladesh Partnership Russell Park Baptist Church
Vist the
Mission Partners Page 2 to find out
who our Mission Partners are, where they work, and what they do.
Mission Agencies
As well as supporting Mission Partners working in the field, the Greyfriars Missionary Trust (see later) supports a number of Mission Agencies, including the following:
| A Rocha (Christians in Conservation) | www.arocha.org/gb-en/home.html |
| Barnabas Fund | barnabasfund.org/ |
| Bible Society | www.biblesociety.org.uk |
| Church Pastoral Aid Society | www.cpas.org.uk/home/content |
| CMJ (Church's Ministry among Jewish People) | www.cmj.org.uk |
| FEBA | www.feba.org |
| Fusion | www.fusion.uk.com |
| Gideons International | www.gideons.org.uk |
| Good News Broadcasting (Voice of the Gospel, Poland) | www.gnba.net/index.php
www.gospel.pl/index.php |
| Langham Partnership International | www.langhampartnership.org |
| Lifewords (SGM) | www.sgmlifewords.com/uk/en/ |
| Mission Aviation Fellowship | www.maf-uk.org |
| NEGST (Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology) | www.negst.edu/index.htm |
| Open Doors (UK) | www.opendoorsuk.org/index.php |
| Oxford Centre for Mission Studies | www.ocms.ac.uk |
| Scripture Union | www.scriptureunion.org.uk |
| UCCF | www.uccf.org.uk |
(Greyfriars Church is not responsible for the content of these websites).
Why support International Mission?
Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world. If we really believe the gospel is Good News surely it follows that we will want to share it with those who may not have the opportunity to hear it. Secondly, we are to love our neighbours and in the Bible we read of materially richer churches sending skilled people or gifts to less advantaged ones.
How can I be involved in International Mission?
Most of us will not have a desire to go ourselves but we can support those who do. In order to do this we need to be informed so our prayers are accurate and effective. Up to date information can be found in Mission Matters in the Greyfriars News church magazine and the monthly Prayer Pointers paper. Greyfriars also tries to promote interest through the International Mission Weekend, Mission Partners Sunday and in interviews and talks whenever our mission partners are in church when on leave. If you are not sure where to start, many home groups are linked to mission partner. On a more general level you can give financially to the Greyfriars’ Missionary Trust.
Short Term Mission ('Gap Year' or a 'Year Out')
In addition, many Mission Agencies, including some whom the Greyfriars Missionary Trust support, have 'Gap Year' or 'Year Out' programmes for those who are interested in exploring a desire to be a Mission Partner or wish to pursue a calling to help practically. Below are links to some programmes that may assist:
-
Action Partners Pioneers (Home Page) - (www.pioneers-europe.org/actionpartners/index.php)
Action Partners Pioneers (Edge 2009 Teams) - (www.pioneers-europe.org/actionpartners/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=103) - CMS - (www.cms-uk.org/GetInvolved/Shorttermteamvisits/tabid/196/language/en-US/Default.aspx)
- OMF - (www.omf.org/omf/uk/get_involved/serve_asia_short_term_mission)
In addition, a good one-stop-shop for advice on matters relating to Mission is OSCAR (One Stop Centre for Advice and Resources, http://www.oscar.org.uk/index.html ), and their website contains considerable information about things to consider – see the section on Short Term Mission in particular - http://www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/shorttermmission.htm .
(Note that Greyfriars Church is not responsible for the content of these websites).
What is the Greyfriars Missionary Trust?
At Greyfriars we have a separate Trust to which we give
if we wish to support overseas mission. General giving to the Church will
not reach a mission partner. You can give to the Trust in all the usual ways, (including the form below),
and remember to fill in a gift aid declaration (see below) to enable us to reclaim tax.
The majority of the Trust money goes to Greyfriars Mission Partner support
with a smaller amount going to certain mission agencies.
Download the Missionary Trust Donation Form here.
What if I feel called to go Overseas?
You need to get your call affirmed so first approach the Vicar or International Mission Committee chairman. If you have not been at the church long and have not been involved in activities you will be encouraged to develop your skills, possibly short term service. If you have a proven track record in Greyfriars you will go before a panel that will then recommend the trust to support you. This process may in some cases move in tandem with an application to a mission-sending agency.
