When I consider Missional Partnerships I’m reminded that we as individuals, as a community, and as an organization are partnered up with the Holy Spirit on Missio Dei. It’s God’s mission. As the first and ultimate missionary He has so honorably invited us to partner with Him in this great work of boldly sharing and demonstrating the Good news of Jesus! The beautiful and awesome thing about this partnership is that it is meant to be a communal journey that showcases the unity of His diverse children, thus bearing witness that Christ is the sent Son of God, that Christ is Lord, and that Christ is Savior.
In Acts (9:26-29) Barnabas developed and brokered missional partnerships for Paul in the city of Jerusalem… “When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.”
Like Barnabas, I believe that World Impact is positioned to build and broker relationships. We are in a position to do this with both indigenous urban leaders in the city and with suburban leaders as well, as both are on mission with God. These types of unified missional relationships not only serve to advance God’s Kingdom but are also an ongoing reminder and encouragement that Christ prayed specifically for unity (John 17:23), and so this was a Focus Initiative for Him as well.
In the last six months it has been encouraging to see our ministry initiate missional partnerships with the Evangelical Covenant Church and the Reformed Church of America, to plant healthy churches together in urban poor communities. To some degree this reminds me of a NASCAR driver who is sponsored by various partners that are all committed to supporting the driver’s success. I am excited by the way that God is aligning us together for the success of his Church and Kingdom in our communities. My exhortation to the Body is to be like Barnabas – sons (and daughters) of encouragement in the work of missional partnerships.
Marcos Gamez is World Impact West's Regional Director of Ministry.
Watch this video on why missional partnerships are important.