In 2004, International Ministries took a bold step toward developing a new model for sustainable mission support. The holistic and relational networking process builds Missionary Partnership Networks (MPNs), each with a core Missionary Partnership Team (MPT). The process is a blessing for our missionaries as well as for individuals and congregations who have intentionally made the decision to join an MPN. Missionaries are experiencing new levels of interest in, and care for, their ministries. “We feel more encouraged and supported by our family and friends than ever because they know we really need that support!” reported one missionary. Local churches are seeing renewed energy in cross-cultural mission efforts that bridge activities in their own communities with their participation in their missionary’s international ministry. “This is what our church has wanted to do for years,” exclaimed one pastor, as his church joined an MPN.

Our missionaries’ work is being shared with increasing frequency and enthusiasm in formal and informal settings as MPT members distribute prayer cards, create newsletters and websites, share prayer concerns and present workshops on behalf of their missionaries. The impact of this growing engagement in the work of International Ministries missionaries is evident in significant increases in giving for the ongoing support of particular missionaries, largely through “Targeted Giving.” The amount of targeted gifts nearly doubled to $969,682 in 2006, from $501,003 in 2005.

In support of this process, mission partnership staff oriented 12 new MPTs in 2006, bringing the total to 32 teams by year’s end. Thirty MPT members, representing 13 different teams, participated in MPT training events offered in Pennsylvania in March and at Green Lake during the World Mission Conference in August. The vision for building relationship-based partnership networks to support International Ministries missionaries was shared by mission partnership staff in workshops at conferences and events sponsored by International Ministries as well as region mission conferences, association meetings, American Baptist Women gatherings, clergy groups and local churches.

In 2006, the work that International Ministries does in collaboration with American Baptist Women’s Ministries became part of the mission partnership office. White Cross gifts totaling $355,854 were received and used for ministries in several countries, such as providing sewing materials for the Philippines and health kits for the Dominican Republic. “Special Interest Missionary” assignments were revised to more closely parallel relationships that are being formed through MPNs to further enhance those connections. Missionaries will now always be considered “special interest” missionaries in those regions/states where their MPT is based.

For more information about how you can get involved, contact mission partnership coordinators Ruthann Stevenson at 610-768-2210 (ruthie.stevenson@abc-usa.org) or Jim Bell at 513-582-8224 (jim.bell@abc-usa.org).