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THE SITUATION
- JOHN
4:35 – The global fields are white for harvest. Never in recorded
history has there been as much opportunity as there is in this day and time. The fall of communism in 1989 opened the once-secured doors to Russia and
Eastern Europe. Concentrated efforts are gaining momentum in Southeast Asia, on the
Indian continent, and in other locations within the 10/40 window. (Go here for more information about the 10/40 window)
We can only imagine the opportunities that God will create
as a result of the political and social changes that are taking place in the Middle East.
- Resources for teaching the lost
have never been more abundant than at the present. Volumes upon volumes of
printed materials are available. Over the past 25 years, technological
advances have given us personal computers, e-mail, and online learning via the Internet.
Convenient travel has made the world seem like a very small place.
- Meanwhile, here at home in the
United States many churches of
Christ are struggling with outreach. Surveys
illustrate trends within churches that range from minimal growth to decline -
both in
the number of congregations and individual Christians. Leaders in some
congregations are finding it difficult to motivate Christians into action as
evangelists. Other congregations are comprised of Christians who have a
desire
to teach the lost – but don’t know how to do so.
-
EPHESIANS 4:12 – There are many saints who need to be equipped for
the work of ministry. The church must make a concerted effort to train,
educate, and prepare Christians for the Lord’s work.
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MATTHEW 29:19-20 – The singular focus of Operation Outreach is to
take the gospel to the lost. We will do so by preparing Christians to
effectively teach and by providing them with opportunities to do so through
short-term mission efforts.
OUR
MISSION
- We purpose in all things to
bring glory to God and Him alone.
- We purpose to share the gospel
with as many people as possible wherever possible.
- We purpose to make every effort
to equip our fellow saints for the work of ministry.
- We purpose to hold true to
Biblical patterns in all doctrinal matters.
- We purpose to maintain
doctrinal balance by avoiding extremes, rejecting labels and the politics of
guilt by association, and by following the pattern of Christ in rising above
division.
- We purpose to respect the
efforts of those who have come before us by committing that our short-term
mission efforts will be done in cooperation with local brethren and
missionaries.
OUR
STRATEGIES
The
singular focus that we place on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the
lost and demonstrating compassion for their needs can be placed into four
strategic areas. These strategies include:
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The
development and mobilization of equipped short-term mission teams focused on
evangelistic outreach.
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Increasing the number of Christians involved in short-term evangelistic
efforts.
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Identification of short-term mission opportunities.
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Raising awareness within churches of Christ relative to the need for
short-term evangelistic missions.
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