We are excited to support others who are joining God’s work in the world. As we consider possible individuals and organizations to support and partner with, below are the priorities that guide us. Sources that inform our priorities include, first and foremost, Scripture as well as Crossway core values and constitution, and lessons from global missions (as a field of study and from rich experiences of those in our congregation)
Compatibility and connection with the vision of CMC
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”” Revelation 7:9-10
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- So we are especially excited about ministries that are:
- Gospel-centered ministries, addressing the whole person (head, heart, hands)
- FOR, OF, and BY the peoples of many nations
- Welcoming and transforming the peoples of many nations to be united in the praise of God in Christ
- So we are especially excited about ministries that are:
Crosses both seen and unseen boundaries between peoples and groups while being faithful to Christ and His teaching
Colossians 1:19-20 says: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
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- So we are especially excited to support ministries that make peace through Christ, reconciling all things together to Him.
Supports and empowers the efforts of nationals/locals
Paul instructed Titus: “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” Titus 1:5
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- So we are especially excited to see nationals and locals equipped and empowered in their own contexts for ministry.
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Minimizes exporting & promoting particular cultures and cultural assumptions
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
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- So we are especially excited to see contextualization of the Gospel and of ministry, to see rich and true partnerships across differences, and to see people with less honor in the eyes of the world living out their giftedness in the Kingdom.
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Builds on and extends relational connections with CMC
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6
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- So we are especially excited about opportunities for partnership together in the Gospel that emerge organically from relationships among our congregation. This better enables strong relational (not just financial) ministry support.
Church-based ministry, as well as parachurch ministry that demonstrates a strong connection with church-based ministry
“Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12
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- We are especially excited to see and support those ministries that build up the Church, because we believe that God has called His people to be committed to the gathering of His people (Hebrews 10:24-25) for worship and for building each other up in Christ, and to do so across differences of age, ethnicity, social class, and more.
Connects Gospel resources with greater Gospel needs
Paul said: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”“ Romans 15:20-21
- So we are especially excited to see and support ministries that enlarge the Kingdom of God where it is less well known and experienced.