Mission's full circle

It was more an adoption than a birth but the little family I look after, the Faith2Share network, gained a new member this week. A mature 26-year old joining the family brings some challenges but a lot of new energy and insight. Our new family member is full of ideas and energy and its going to be great to have them around, if we can survive the late nights and angst.

Global Teams has its roots in the Anglican Church and is based in California with over 50 mission workers in 19 different countries scattered around the world. At first they look just like any other agency sending missionaries to needy places (just like all 26 year olds look alike when you're 55, or 12) but as you get to know them you spot a radical difference - they are into reproduction in a big way (like any other 26-year old?!). Working in some of the more challenging mission contexts, Global Teams are in the buisness of seeing missionaries give birth to missionaries (followers of Jesus who instantly become 'fishers of men' - and women of course). Nothing new in that you may say - exactly what Jesus did in Galilee - but that's the point! So often mission work gives birth to church members who are not missionary followers of Jesus, church members who so easily become church-dependant rather than kingdom-building. I'm looking forward to us all learning quite a lot from the new 26-year old in our family. Get the black coffee brewing!