What do missionaries do these days? Do we still need them? Aren’t there local believers now in every county in the world? Should we just our money to them? Or is there still a role for western overseas missionaries? Here’s our story at Multiply Network, using the Mission Strategy Map as a reference.

There was a time when missionaries were sent off with their belongings packed in a coffin (stage 1: mobilize). Then it became normal for missionaries to live their whole lives in a foreign land (stage 2: connect). Then, for the people to turn to Christ (stage 3: witness). And then, the goal became not just salvations, but planting a church (stage 4: gather) and training nationals to take the leadership (stage 5: equip).

Multiply was structured for this environment. We recruited missionaries to plant churches. Our sending churches support the missionaries, and we tell stories about our missionaries. 

But the progression has continued. It became normal for nationals to plant churches (stage 6: grow). Evolving from that, we now see apostolic nationals in many of our contexts, starting church planting movements among their own people (stage 7: multiply). 

Our missionaries discovered that, where possible, they’re most effective when serving a national leader. We restructured to support this effort. And we’ve begun to re-educate the sending churches to join us in moving from addition to multiplication as we invest in national leaders. 

The first generation of apostolic leaders worked so hard at breaking out of religious norms that they struggled to come back together and join with others. But this new generation is marked with humility. They willingly serve each other’s visions (stage 8: partner). And increasingly they are sending teams out across cultures and languages into unreached places (stage 9: extend).

The missionary’s role in all this may best be described by looking at Timothy. Paul got things going, which has now happened in a good chunk of the world, so that most nations have a nearby neighbouring people group where the gospel has reached. But then Paul would send in Timothy. That’s what we do, and here’s how our missionaries could be described (note the bolded words):

• He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia. – Acts 19:22

• For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. – 1 Corinthians 4:17

• I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. – Philippians 2:19-20

• We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith – 1 Thessalonians 3:2