Children of the Promise / March 2011, Snap Shot!
Adopt a People
Jesus called the Church to carry his gospel to the ends of the earth in order that, one day, every “nation, tribe, people and language” may be represented before his throne. We understand that, in calling the Church, Jesus entrusted this mission to individual congregations—including each of ours. Individual Lutheran Brethren churches are able to do this in partnership with their sending group, Lutheran Brethren International Mission (LBIM).
Looking at the need for Christ in the world today, LBIM has focused on particular people groups where there is currently little or no witness of Christ and no existing church native to that culture. The goal is to establish such churches, and that they will then in turn seek to plant more churches in their own people group and eventually in other people groups.
One way a local congregation may take ownership of its mission to the world is through the concept of “adopting a people group.” Steps to adoption include prayer, research, consultation with LBIM, and then a formal commitment. What specific things might an adopting congregation be committing to do? Continued prayer, continued learning, support of missionaries, and direct short-term mission efforts to that people group.
How does it work? How will it feel for the local congregation? For one thing, the adopting church will find that LBIM is a partner with them in their new ministry. LBIM will support them on a long-term basis with ideas, motivation, training, and communication about the adopted people group and efforts to plant the seed of the gospel among them.
Similar to the adoption of a child, the local church will find the people group adoption to be a challenge that provides increased responsibilities and increased opportunities. The church will take on an active role in prayer, financial support, mission planning, and missionary care. The opportunity comes not only in knowing missionaries well, but in knowing a people group well, through first-hand experience. The church has a vital interest, not only in the lives of their missionaries, but in the specific ministry work of their missionaries and in the lives of specific individuals in the adoptive people group. For example, when a missionary comes “home,” he or she will more likely be asked “how’s Abdul?” than “what do you eat over there?”
What lasting benefits will the adopting congregation experience? The church knows that it is actively fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ. It has a significantly richer and more personal involvement with LBIM than just providing funds. The congregation is better informed, more prayerful, and more motivated—both for the unreached people group and for local ministry. And this local church may very well send out its own people as missionaries.
Your congregation is invited to partner with LBIM in adoption of an unreached people group.
Rev. Brent Juliot is Editor of Faith & Fellowship Magazine, teaches math at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and serves as senior pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN.