Levels of Involvement

At the heart of ALL THE WORLD, the new Partnership Missions structure, are the four levels of involvement. I’d like to take a moment to explain the reason for the different levels and what they mean. We understand that churches and associations are at different levels of development and commitment when it comes to overseas mission projects. Some have extensive experience, while others may have no experience whatsoever. Some need a greater challenge, while others may be intimidated by the thought of leading a team of church members to a strange land. Therefore, we offer different levels of mission projects in an effort to meet the needs of all KBC churches, regardless of their experience.

Level One, as you might guess, is introductory in nature, seeking to provide a first time experience for those with little or no experience. It is “plug and play,” characterized as entry level because:

• There are no required prerequisites (except for the team leader)
• There is no obligation to commit to returning to the place of service.
• There is very little that a team has to handle in terms of field strategy and planning, travel logistics, and in-country schedule.
• IMB field missionaries overseas closely supervise the team.

Level Two is intended for those entities that have experienced overseas missions and feel that God is calling them to a deeper commitment.

• This usually involves a period of searching for the right place, even if the people or country of service is already known.
• The Partnership Missions Department facilitates the exploration of possible places of service and advises on all aspects of making long-term commitments.
• This purpose of this level is to help churches progress to one of the next two levels.

Level Three closely resembles the state partnership model that most are familiar with; only instead of the state convention, it is an association or church that partners with a mission field.

• After much prayer, research, and vision trips (Level Two), a church at this level is ready to commit to supply a mission field with a set number of projects over a predetermined period of time
• The field missionary is responsible for strategy and deployment of the teams.
• The Partnership Missions Department assists in all aspects of the formation of the partnership and eventually is out of the picture to allow the church to operate its partnership.
• The missionary makes plans, handles field logistics, and works closely with the volunteer teams.

Level Four is also known as the “Strategy Coordinator (SC) Church.”

• This level involves the deepest and most complex involvement, requiring a church to adopt a people group or area.
• Initial orientation and training is supplied by IMB and KBC, but afterwards the church is responsible for winning those they have adopted.
• There is relatively no missionary presence. It is up to the “SC Church” to be the missionary to this field.

 Let us help your church discover the level that it needs to experience continued growth in missions involvement.