Last week I received an official acceptance letter from MAF International, and this week a similar letter from MAF New Zealand. Although there are still some details to be worked through (such as when and where I'll be serving initially), it's the green light for getting stuck into building ministry partnership!
Ministry partnership is more than just about raising funds to support myself. First of all, it's "ministry" - a term that encompasses a range of things:
- people supporting me financially to fly for MAF
- my work at MAF encouraging people in their faith
- people supporting me spiritually through prayer
- me supporting people in their lives through prayer
Secondly, it's "partnership" - not sponsorship, which is one-way, but a two-way relationship between two equal parties. It's a Biblical principle that those who give support are rewarded by God equally with those whom they are supporting in ministry (1 Sam. 30:24, 1 Cor. 3:6-8, 1 Cor. 9:10). My role in this ministry is not better or superior than my supporters' role. They are simply different, and both are necessary and equally valuable.
I know that people will have different reasons for supporting me. For some, it will be because they are already friends with me; for others, it will be a way they can be involved in overseas mission work; for yet others it provides a focal point for their prayers. My prayer is that, with God's help, I can truly form deep, two-way partnerships so that we can be encouraged by one another and built up in faith.
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