Ways to Partner: FINANCIAL Partnership

Financial Partners (money, money, money)
Finances are needed for the work missionaries do. Take a look at the picture below:

A small box of fruit loops at a local grocery store in Papua New Guinea costs $11

A small box of fruit loops at a local grocery store in Papua New Guinea costs $11
Needs may seem steep for all the work to be done overseas, but the Fruit Loops image is a good example of why there are needs (not that Fruit Loops are the standard of the quality of food we eat overseas, but you get the point). Missionaries can struggle with worry just as much as the Christian back home about finances. Will I have enough money to pay for food, my families needs, material things needed to live in a cross-cultural setting, special medications for sicknesses that are not normal in America, etc. When the Lord makes financial provision, it lifts a weight off shoulders of missionaries to not have to worry. The life of a missionary is one of great feasting at the table of nations. I don't want to guilt anyone to give of their finances, but I do want you to see that there is joy to be found when you generously come to this feast of self-sacrifice. Jesus is so much more glorious than any money can provide. Please know, that to us as missionaries, you are greatly appreciated- whether you give $5.00 or $500.00 or $5,000.00.

To become a financial partner with me, click here

Ways to Partner: LOGISTICS Partnership

Logistics Partners (details, details, details)
These are the administrative types of people in the church. Neal Pirolo says that you, as part of the logistics support team, could find yourself involved in:
-Identifying the cross-cultural workers in your fellowship.
-Maintaining their accountability in ministry.
-Confirming and encouraging their spiritual growth.
-Managing their business affairs.
-Attending to various personal needs of your missionary friend.

The role of this partner could include keeping up to date within the relationship between the mission agency (To Every Tribe), the church, and the missionary. This person identifies the different needs of the missionary. For example, if I'm out in the jungle and have no internet access, and I need to get back to the states for an emergency, I have no way of booking a flight! Another way this role could be used is to gather data to submit a monthly report to the elders of the home church so that they are up to date on their missionary. If missionaries serve as "feet" of the local church in a foreign country, the rest of the body needs to be informed with how and where the feet are going! Taking the responsibility to call weekly and ask how the "feet" are doing is needed. Keep up to date with things we post online (youtube videos, prayer updates, prayer requests, information on places and people we are ministering to, are some examples) and getting them in front of people back home is huge. Organize short term trips for others in the church to take to visit the missionaries is another way to serve in this role.

Be checking the spiritual temperature of your missionary partner by:
1. Encourage their spiritual growth before they leave
2. Encourage their spiritual growth while they are away on the field
3. Encourage their spiritual growth when they return back home

Food for thought
-In the Book of Acts, underline all references to travel logistics. With today’s many communication systems, how could someone “back home” have helped in each of these instances? Ex: Where did Paul and Barnabas sleep that first night back in Antioch?
-Make a list of all the things in your life that would need attention “back home” if you went away for two years. These are probably the things your missionary has to find someone to handle before he leaves.

Pirolo, Neal (2012-06-28). Serving As Senders Today (Kindle Locations 1093-1097). Emmaus Road International. Kindle Edition.


To become a logistics partner with me, email me at matt.toeverytribe@gmail.com

Ways to Partnership: MORAL Partnership

Moral Partnership Support (Giving an encouraging word)
These brothers and sisters are the Barnabas-type people in the church. Any Christian can be an encouragement for missionaries. I cannot express the importance of this role for a partner on a team. You have no idea what it means to receive an intentional phone call or Skype message from someone who expresses that they are thinking of me and praying for me. For us on the field, we have left family, friends, home churches, comforts, cars, money, dream homes, high/low paying jobs, typical American routines all because we had a conviction from the Lord to GO to the nations... That's not to pedestal missionaries, but to loudly say that this adjustment to missionary life does not mean we are above-average Christians. The Lord gives the strength in a number of different ways while we do the going, and often it is through a brother or sister back home who calls or messages and expresses that they've been thinking of us. Please do not underestimate the vital role you could be as a Moral Partner. All the money in the world could be provided for us but money does not have vocal chords when loneliness sets in or when we feel like we've been forgotten back home. We need the presence of others back home, not just checks. We need others to just listen to us vent. When it gets hard for us, we need to be reminded why we are doing what we are doing, we need our gazes to be turned to Christ, because we are just as weak as any other brother or sister back home. Not only that, but we WANT to hear from you. We miss you, and we miss our churches. We want to hear how your family is doing and how the Lord is serving you.


If you are interested in being a MORAL partner with me, email me at matt.toeverytribe@gmail.com

Partnership Principles from Philippians

The first time I read and studied through Philippians with a group of friends, the theme that jumped out at all of us was this theme of “Christian joy.” Our excitement to see this was also confirmed by the fellow who was leading the bible study itself. This is usually the way Philippians is presented in churches.

But, I want to share with you what I’ve learned over the last few years about Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers that I believe serves our unity in the gospel. While joy is a massive theme in Philippians, we can take that and directly apply it to ourselves with a statement like, “Ok, let’s try to be more joyful!” or “Lord, help me be more joyful.” The thing that is lacking with those statements is a firm foundation and root to where this joy actually comes from. I am confident to express that Paul has a heart to communicate the this church that Partnership in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is core and birth of true Christian joy.

I owe a great deal of these reflections and observations to Steve Best, Director of the CPCP. This list was complied by Trevor Holloway; I’ve just made a few slight adjustments and additions.

1. As the front line missionaries I will continue to pray specifically for you  (1:9-11).


2. As part of our team I sincerely hope you pray for the specific needs of the ministry (1:18c-20).


3. I will remain available and active in ongoing ministry to you by: pen (most likely email – Paul used a pen), presence (2:24 – doing my best to see you when in the States), and proxy (2:19-23 – possibly arranging for you to meet others from my team in the field when they are in the States).


4. Know this: we suffer and sacrifice together for the same kingdom mission- Myself on the field and my partners at home (1:29-30).


5. I would love to have our partners come for short-term trips to work alongside, report, encourage, and take reports back home (2:25-30; 4:2-6).


6. Financial giving and receiving - My partners at  home are giving financially in a sacrificial way and they  receive the tremendous blessing of watching God meet all of their needs (4:14-19).


7. Whatever grace I receive from gospel work, my partners do as well (1:7, 2:1).


Click HERE to become a financial partner with me