(This is the second part in a series of questions that are often asked about BBFI Missions. To read part 1, please CLICK HERE.)

8. Do you partner with the local church?

We understand that the Great Commission was given to the church and therefore we come alongside and work closely with the local church to help them fulfill the Great Commission. We are not a denomination or convention. We are part of a Fellowship of pastors and churches who line up together following our Articles of Faith. A church affiliated with the BBFI is one who supports at least one BBFI missionary and/or one of our entities.

9. What role does the sending church have?

We understand that the sending church is the one sending the missionaries. We acknowledge the authority of the sending church over the missionary and are responsible for the direction of their ministry. The sending church also provides accountability, encouragement, prayer and financial support. We come alongside to assist them and provide many administrative type services that most sending churches could not provide.

10. Do you have Member or Missionary Care?

Yes, we strive to communicate, encourage and assist our missionaries through contact and personal visits, especially in times of transition, crisis, security training and issues, as well as with MKs and emergency situations. We also expect the sending church to provide care through whatever means they have including counsel, communication and visiting them on the field.

11. Are missionaries held accountable?

First, the missionary is accountable to the One they are serving, the Lord Jesus. Second they are accountable to their sending church whom they need to communicate with and understand their expectations. Third, they are accountable to the BBFI Mission office through their understanding of policies and reporting of finances so that we can continue fulfilling our obligations to the government in order to maintain our not-for-profit status. Fourth, they are accountable to their supporting churches. Through these muti-faceted avenues of accountability, our partnership can remain strong and fruitful.

12. Do BBFI missionaries stay on the field long-term?

The length of time serving on the field is determined by their call from God and direction from their sending church. The average length of time that BBFI missionaries have served on the field is 21 years. Often we see those who have stayed on the field an extended amount of time will experience the most fruit and see a more sustainable ministry for the future.

13. Has the BBFI been getting smaller or bigger?

Our missionary force is getting old and therefore some are having to leave the field because of health reasons. Our numbers are in decline, but efforts are being made to end this trend by adding multiple opportunities. Our international force is growing because of the training our missionaries have provided through the years. We are excited to see that through the efforts of Project 938, we are seeing a great number of people in international churches surrender to the mission field.

You can hear these and more questions discussed in our recent Project 938 podcast. If you would like to discuss these or other questions more in depth, please call our office at 417-862-5001 where a Director will be happy to assist you.