Numerous CBF North Carolina congregations have embraced the “Encourager Church” model to support Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel in our state and across the world. I am happy to say that North Carolina Cooperative Baptist churches lead the way with the number of Encourager Churches across the whole of the CBF! At the same time, I believe we can do more to ensure that every congregation in CBFNC knows about this missions model and gives it serious consideration.
The Encourager Church model of missionary support goes hand-in-hand with the support churches give to all field personnel through the Offering for Global Missions (OGM). The OGM supports the presence of CBF field personnel. That is, the money through this offering provides salaries, housing, insurance, retirement and the other essential financial pieces that enable individuals, couples and families to serve in the mission field across the globe and right here in North Carolina.
Encourager Churches take the support of field personnel a step further; they add prayer support, ministry support, short-term engagement support and specific financial support for the actual work of the field personnel.
While that sounds like a lot, it can be captured in two words: presence and program. The Offering for Global Missions supports the presence of field personnel. The Encourager Church supports the ministry program of a specific individual/couple/family in a specific place. That is the beauty and greatness of this model. It invites congregations into a meaningful partnership with field personnel for a period of 3-5 years. It enables congregations to engage in a specific place in the world with partners who know the place. It allows congregations to send members on meaningful short-term mission trips not once but hopefully multiple times.
And, it strengthens field personnel by providing needed financial support for their mission and ministry.
The Encourager Church model of support is a “win-win.” It is a win for the congregation as it engages missions more meaningfully, locally and across the world. It is a win for the field personnel as they are supported to do all that God has called them to do.
I can testify to the impact that becoming an Encourager Church has on a congregation. I have been involved in two Encourager Church partnerships; one internationally in Lebanon and the other locally in Durham. Both have enriched my understanding and participation in missions. Both have forged relationships with field personnel I cherish. Both have helped the local church see and do more.
In the coming months, the CBFNC Missions Engagement Team intends to relay stories of Encourager Churches across our state. You can learn more about becoming an Encourager Church at https://cbf.net/encourager-church or contact Ellen Sechrest, CBF’s director of Mission Engagement, at (esechrest@cbf.net).
-Randy Carter
Senior Pastor, Temple Baptist, Durham and Member of CBFNC Missions Engagement Team
