Missionary Partnership Overview & Application Process
Gwathmey Baptist Church partners with individuals and organizations for the advancement of the Kingdom locally, nationally, and internationally. We look for partners that are gospel-focused, have similar doctrinal commitments, and share our core values. Our missionary partnerships intentionally focus on church planting and other efforts that support the establishment and long-term health of like-minded, gospel churches through evangelism, discipleship, theological training, and equipping pastors.
Partnership Categories
- Mission Partner (Long-term / 1-5 years) | This represents the highest level of financial commitment on behalf of Gwathmey Baptist Church. This partnership level implies an active, ongoing relationship of support and oversight with the missionary or church planter. Priority is given to those directly involved in planting like-minded churches or some type of pioneer gospel work.
- Mission Project (Short-term) | A special project or grant where the individual or organization has a relationship with the church where mutual support and partnership exists. Independent missionaries or church planters often have projects that need funding and this is one way Gwathmey Baptist Church can contribute to gospel ministry. Typically, this would include some type of church planting support, evangelistic effort, bible training, etc.
- Mission Trip (One-time) | A typical short-term mission experience where financial assistance may be needed. Although priority is given to Gwathmey Baptist Church sponsored trips, an applicant’s trip may fall under an outside organization.
Philosophy & Priorities
Our primary aim for missionary partnerships focuses on works with emphasis on the intentional disciple-making and establishing biblically healthy churches at their core. We do not believe that other areas of ministry or mission are unnecessary. We fully understand the need and significance of many valuable endeavors, but we have chosen to make those the predominant criteria by which our global missions funds will be used.
As a way of being transparent on the front end, we want to clearly state our methodology for determining potential partners. Here are the categories used by the elders when evaluating and prioritizing funding and partnerships. Budgeting for a Healthy Church (Jamie Dunlop, Zondervan and 9Marks, 2019)
APPLICANT ASSESSMENT
- Affirmation of the individual’s leadership abilities, giftedness, life, and doctrine
- Known and trusted by our church leadership; or this may be affirmed by a trusted association
- Evidence of fruitfulness in present ministry
MINISTRY ALIGNMENT
- Ministry with a clear, defined connection to the Great Commission of making disciples and establishing/strengthening like-minded, gospel churches
- Furthers the mission of Gwathmey Baptist Church by connecting people to Christ (biblical methods of conversion/discipleship), community (integrating disciples into local churches) and calling (progressing disciples towards service and mission).
- Alignment with the Gwathmey Baptist Church strategic plan
DOCTRINAL ALIGNMENT
- Agreement on how a local church should function
- GBC Statement of Faith & Doctrinal adherence to the Baptist Faith & Message (2000)
- Agreement on matters of salvation and the fundamental tenets of the gospel
- Affirmation of the applicant’s ministry co-laborers and sending organization
METHODOLOGICAL ALIGNMENT
- Agreement on how to evaluate success and faithfulness in the ministry
- Affirmation of the objectives, plan, and strategy
- Alignment with the Gwathmey Baptist Church core values
Partnership Process
- Review the Missions Partnership Overview: Please thoroughly read through this Missions Partnership Overview to determine if your mission would work well with Gwathmey Baptist Church’s vision and philosophy for partners. We ask you to carefully review our priorities list for how we evaluate potential partners in order to best determine if your mission/ministry aligns with Gwathmey Baptist Church's methodology.
- Submit the Missions Partnership Application: If you would like to proceed to the application process, please submit a completed application to one of our elders at GBC.
- Elder Review Period: The church leadership will meet to review the application and prayerfully discuss the possibility of the partnership. This process may include a formal interview with the Elders.
- Review and Sign the Missions Partnership Covenant. This document will outline the details of the partnership between the applicant and Gwathmey Baptist Church (for the “mission partner” and “mission project” levels). The agreement will describe the purpose, progress plan, expectations, and reporting requirements. It will also clearly communicate the commitment level provided by Gwathmey Baptist Church. Mission partners or projects may receive support for a maximum period of five years, however the partnership may be renewed after the initial duration.
- Annual or Final Review: This is the final step for both the “mission partner” and “mission project” levels. Depending on the time frame of the agreement, an annual/final review will be completed by both Gwathmey Baptist Church and the partner. This will assist both parties in determining the effectiveness and fruitfulness of the partnership. A partnership may be eligible for renewal at the discretion of the leadership and will require an updated set of objectives and action plan.
Seeking Financial Support from Gwathmey Baptist Church Partners
The elders are firmly committed to the biblical principle that the local church is central to missions, as this is the predominant model of the New Testament. This view offers some principles for wisdom and prudence in the life of the church. The elders do not seek to bind the consciences of our members unduly, but do want to set out the general expectations for support from the partners of Gwathmey Baptist Church.
- As a church family we make commitments to our missionary partners collectively,and it is the privilege of the entire body to support our partnerships financially. This allows us to have a cohesive, unified, and intentional vision for global discipleship.
- Although partners are welcome to financially support other missionaries (friends, family members, etc.), various non-profits, and ministry organizations, the primary method of missions giving should be through Gwathmey Baptist Church.
- To help us strive together as one body on mission together, the elders request that individuals refrain from privately seeking financial support from Gwathmey Baptist Church members without following the process outlined in the steps above. Those interested in support from the members of Gwathmey Baptist Church should communicate with the elders and go through the application process. Furthermore, this request especially applies in cases where an individual goes through the application process and the elders have communicated with the applicant that he/she is not aligned with the mission philosophy or priorities of Gwathmey Baptist Church, as outlined above.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, we encourage you to contact the church office to speak with one of our pastors.