Partnerships to Advance the Kingdom
“If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go together” the African proverb says. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 puts it this way: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” This saying and this verse highlight the need for PARTNERSHIP.
In launching new Kingdom Advancing Environments there are many avenues where partnership is necessary. The district partners with local churches and workers to identify potential planters. We then work together in partnership to identify locations and discern next steps. Church planters need to partner with local churches to find locations, raise funds, and secure prayer support. Every step on the front end is done in partnership.
What excites me is when I see that spirit of partnership extended to how our Kingdom Advancing Environments continue to function to see not only their church thrive but also to see their communities be transformed. This summer two of our environments made great impacts through partnerships:
El Shaddai Vision Church (Minneapolis, MN):
Pastor Justin came to our district from a C&MA church in North Carolina. One of the events that they hosted in North Carolina that they wanted to institute here was a “Swahili Day Celebration”. At this celebration they celebrate people in their community that contribute to their well-being with the hope of creating partnerships, extending gratitude and inspiring their Swahili-speaking community to acts of service. I was so inspired by the way that gratitude could bring many people together. Among those honored were non-profit leaders, law enforcement officers, a doctor and a grocery store owner. This event was also the one-year anniversary celebration for the founding of the church. The Christian witness of El Shaddai Vision Church and their leadership was on full display through prayer and praise. This year was just the beginning as the event is planned as a yearly celebration where partnerships can grow and thrive.
Compassion Church/Coffee (Anoka, MN):
Compassion Church and Compassion Coffee began a new community engagement this summer. The church’s vision is “to make Jesus visible in Anoka” and they have taken that to heart by their work with people who are experiencing homelessness. This summer they hosted two events that were a forum for different agencies to come together to explore how they may be more effective in supporting people experiencing homelessness. The first event alone saw representatives from the city, county, state and multiple non-profits meeting together at Compassion Coffee to talk about the work they are doing and how they can collaborate more. In a time when churches are often labeled as divisive, here is a small missional church community bringing together people to see partnerships formed that could leave the community transformed.
Kyle Magstadt
Associate Superintendent for
Church Multiplication