Our Theology of Missions:
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Romans 10:11-17 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
The Bible does not draw a distinction between ministry and missions, yet for clarity’s sake, let us define them as follows:
Ministry is that which is done to build up, edify, train, and encourage the established church.
Missions is the proclamation of God’s law and the Gospel of redemption through the one and only Savior for all people, Christ Jesus, to unbelieving people everywhere, both foreign and domestic alike. Teaching them to submit to the authority of Christ in all things and establishing local churches where Christian churches of sound teaching cannot be found. This is to be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit through his redeemed people.
Unreached people groups are groups of people who have not heard clear proclamation of the Gospel. This includes but is not limited to foreign pagan cultures as well as our own domestic pagan culture of North America
Our Missions Strategy:
I. BECOMING A MISSIONS-MINDED CHURCH
A. Because God has demonstrated a heart for the nations so also should we as a Church body. Isaiah 45:22; Malachi 1:10-11; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8
B. Mission priorities.
1. The need to seek to plant doctrinally sound and reproductive churches among people groups who have not had access to the Word of God. Romans 15:18-21
2. Unreached language groups should have a high degree of priority in our thinking.
C. Our Church needs to be a sending Church Matthew 9:38; Acts 13:1-3
1. Qualified members of our Church who believe that God has called them to full time vocational ministry are to be examined and encouraged to follow God’s call.
2. As a Church we should prioritize supporting qualified members in their endeavor.
D. Our responsibilities to our missionaries.
1. We need to hold them accountable to make sure that they are staying true to the doctrines of the Word of God. II Timothy 3:16-4:5; Jude 1-23; Acts 20:25-32
2. As a Church we are responsible before God to be holding our missionaries up in prayer. Ephesians 6:18-20
3. Periodically we need to review all of the missionaries we support periodically, because people change and mission organizations can change over time, to determine if they still fit within our theology of missions. Acts 14:24-28
E. Short term missions projects.
1. Every short term missions project should have a long term result in view.
2. By careful planning and prayer we will endeavour to make sure that every minute on the field is meaningful for all future efforts. II Timothy 4:5
3. We need to remember that wherever we are we are to be “missionaries” as God opens doors. Acts 1:8
II. ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF BECOMING A MISSIONS-MINDED CHURCH
A. Establish a group of members to help the Church develop a missions mind set and help us to support our missionaries in a manner worthy of God. III John 5-8
B. This group will focus on keeping in regular communication with our missionaries to encourage, pray and support them as needed.
С. With the approval of the Pastor and Elder Board, organize events and activities to help us focus on God’s heart for missions.
III. PRORITIES IN SELECTING FUTURE MISSIONARIES TO SUPPORT
А. Type of ministries we will support.
1. Must be one that is actively involved in gospel ministry with people, not solely administrative duties, or humanitarian aid.
2. Main thrust would be evangelism and the spiritual growth of new converts.
B. All missionaries must demonstrate spiritual maturity. Men according to the standard of elders and women according to the standard for deacons wives according to I Timothy 3.
C. Missionaries we support must have a reputation for faithful vocational work as well as having faithfully served in ministry in a local biblical Church.
D. Any missionaries we support must demonstrate an ability to accurately handle the Word of God. II Timothy 2:15
Active Missionaries Galt Bible Church Supports:
Chris & Patti Allinger
Biblical Ministries Worldwide
Utah
Will & Marilu Bailey
My Life Matters
North Carolina
Don Blythe
At The Well Ministries
California
Ellie Driesenga
Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission
Brazil
Steve & Joyce Louie
Biblical Ministries Worldwide
Georgia
Ryan & Dawn Perry
Biblical Ministries Worldwide
Canada
Mark & Jess Stucky
Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission
Brazil
Gustavo Torres
California Church Extension
Nevada