The Blessing of Partnership Development
Culture Festival in Tallinn, Estonia
Ministry Partnership Development (MPD) is often referenced with a negative connotation. And whether consciously or subconsciously, many of us come to this season with lonely, us versus them mentality as we try to find the funding to do what God has actually called us to do. I would like to contend that the MPD season is not lonely and unpreferable, but a faith-strengthening, relationally driven season of transition. MPD is an important part of body of Christ coming together in obedience to the great commission. So how does the global worker begin to build gospel driven, missions focused, long term relationships?
Mindset Matters
My husband and I were taught during Launch that MPD is an opportunity for ministry. God’s resources are abundant, and we should not be ashamed to ask people to be generous as we invite them to join God’s work. Yet even though we agreed, we were always sorting through the what ifs and our own cultural assumptions. We had to be intentional to direct our thoughts and emotions. This was soon tested when, after reaching out to longtime friends of ours in excitement to share about our call to Estonia, we were met with rejection and loss of relationship. We were devastated. Certainly, the loss elicited fear to reach out to anyone else lest we cause the same bad taste and rejection.
What could we do?
While we allowed ourselves the time to grieve the loss of relationship, we also intentionally set our minds back on the word of God, our training, and the hope of what was ahead. God had called us to Estonia, he had given us the tools we needed to minister during this time of MPD, and the task of stirring hearts to partner with us was completely in his hands as we were obedient to share. Our mindset had shifted. And with that shift came an enjoyment of the process and the people we have been blessed to meet, even when we encountered these unicorn moments of rejection.
“While we allowed ourselves the time to grieve the loss of relationship, we also intentionally set our minds back on the word of God, our training, and the hope of what was ahead. ”
Seek Like-Minded Partners, Not Donors
While financial support is a necessary part of overseas ministry, it is not the goal of MPD. Use this time to prayerfully share about the ministry God has given you and patiently allow the Spirit to build your team. As you follow up and make asks for financial support, remember that the end goal is to have a team of people and churches who are spiritually invested as well as financially invested in what God is doing among the nations. As you are faithful to patiently share, you’ll be in awe of how the Lord connects his children to accomplish his will!
Be Generous
As global workers, we don’t need to hold tightly to churches, materials, or even partners. Everything belongs to God, and he dictates how things are used for his own purposes. Because we have the shared common goal of taking the gospel to the nations, there is no need for a survival mentality.
We began MPD with no visual concept of how to present our ministry to others. Through the kind of relationships we wrote about in the previous section, we were able to attend a conference out in Colorado hoping to make connections. The Lord did not have a single financial partner for us there- but he did connect us with a global worker who had just finished MPD and was heading to Africa with her family. We stayed in contact, praying for and encouraging one another. She not only encouraged me with words, but she also shared Canva templates, table set ups and practical advice to begin sharing with churches. She discipled me in MPD! Her willingness to share her skill and the results of her hard work got our feet off the ground. And now we can pass that along to global workers who are just starting out as well. Her generosity has rippled outward exponentially. Now that’s an abundance mentality.
“Whatever your MPD schedule looks like will reflect how you use your time on the field and in language learning. This is not just a season, it’s an opportunity to build your endurance for the ministry ahead.”
Be a Partner
There is so much more to be said about building relationships in MPD. But along with the statements I made above, I would like to leave you with some tangible ways to build partnerships and enjoy the season.
Devote time to pray for those who have partnered with you and to reaching out to them when prompted by the Spirit.
Sign up for tools like Canva, Mailchimp, Linktree, and Facebook to create easy communication avenues that help potential partners visualize your ministry. Have a visual storytelling element (video, picture, art) and be consistent in your communications. It doesn’t need to be complicated, simple is better. It should continue to minister to your partners as, together, you reach the lost.
Get a calendar. We would be totally lost without one, especially with 5 kids in the mix!
Have a coach or accountability partner. If you’re with an organization like Converge, a coach will be assigned to you. If not, I highly recommend finding someone within your local church who has walked this same path before and can check in with, advise, and encourage you regularly. We love our coach- he has become our friend, has been essential during this season, and has impacted us for life.
Understand that not everyone you share with is meant to partner with you. In fact, be ready to point them in another direction as the Lord leads you. We’ve spoken to several churches who are invested in a different location or who are not yet certain where they want to focus. We can direct them to our organization’s 2:10 focus or to another global worker more aligned with their values. Personally, this is my favorite part of the MPD season!
Lastly, remember that this is a transitional season meant to prepare you for life abroad. Make use of any tools, resources, and trainings that are available to you. Find a good rhythm for your day. In the words of my husband, “Whatever your MPD schedule looks like will reflect how you use your time on the field and in language learning. This is not just a season, it’s an opportunity to build your endurance for the ministry ahead.” The same is true for the way you minister to the many people you will meet during this time.
Praise the Lord for such an awesome opportunity to better learn his heart for the church and for the lost and collaborate with him in the process! May you build lasting partnerships and sustainable rhythms during this season.
