Africa Partnership Philosophy

        	              

The concept of partnerships in ministry is both old and new. The apostle Paul appreciated the Philippians for their "partnership in the gospel" (Phil 1:4).  Believers working together was considered the natural, normal state of mission. We are blessed to live in a time when this approach to ministry has regained favor and is gaining traction with local churches and ministries overseas.



Partnering with Africa ministry 



The significance of ministry opportunities in Africa provide fertile ground for partnerships. ReachGlobal Africa defines ministry partnership as an intentional relationship between a church and cross-cultural ministry.  It is critical for both partners to recognize the time and energy for good partnerships to develop. Partnership opportunities include (but are not limited to):



    

  • children’s ministry
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  • community health evangelism (CHE) 
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  • holistic ministries (participating in agricultural, technology and communications projects, teaching widows/orphans, providing medical care, assisting in clean water projects, and engaging in HIV/AIDS ministries)
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  • leadership training (pastors and lay people) 
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  • teaching English 
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  • training indigenous Christian school teachers 
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  • women’s ministry
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  • youth ministry  
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Our strategy is one of multiplication so teaching the teacher and training the trainer is of paramount importance.



Benefits for the local church 



Churches that engage in partnerships often find renewed vitality in their local ministries and global mission programs.  U.S. pastors who help teach and train their African colleagues are discovering that their local church ministry experiences refreshment, new depth and conviction of purpose.




This is not to say that partnerships are easy.  Ministry across cultures is always complex and sometimes messy.  Successful partnerships usually require ongoing adaptability, maximum flexibility, and extraordinary patience. 



Consortiums 



One approach for developing strong partnerships is involvement in a consortium.  This is where churches partnering in a country or region gather periodically for mutual encouragement, training and coordination.  The benefits of a consortium:



    

  • Synergy: churches sharing a similar vision and commitment maintain a biblical sense of teamwork.
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  • Momentum: something happens when churches get together and share their partnering stories.  Consortium meetings and communications breath new life into church partnerships and usually results in the renewed commitment to the task.
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  • Coordination: although opportunities seem endless, it is critical that churches have regular opportunity to share their projects, priorities, and travel plans.
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  • Expectations and cultural awareness - learning about a new culture is a never ending process.  The lessons learned by one church can greatly facilitate the understanding of others.
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Currently, the most active consortium is the Congo Consortium. New consortia are forming for Rwanda, Liberia, and Sudan.  More information on these and future consortium efforts are readily available by contacting ReachGlobal Africa Advocate at africa@efca.org.



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Still have questions about church partnerships in Africa? Contact africa@efca.org.