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SEAMIST has
Six Absolutes that undergird these distinctives and
shape what we are and what we do. You might be interested in them...
1. Unreached Or Least-Reached
People Groups
We focus on the groups that haven't
really heard the gospel yet, at least to the point where the church is established and
reproducing in a healthy way. There are over 500 identified unreached people groups
in South East Asia (Joshua Project). Most of the missions effort in the past has
been to the Philippines where there is freedom to preach. Of course, much work has
been and is being done in the other areas, especially Thailand, but much, much more
remains to be done.
2. We Focus On Planting Churches
It does little good to go out and show the
Jesus Film to 500 people and leave the next day. Too many times missionaries have
been satisfied to preach but forgot to disciple, baptize, and teach the believers.
Only a reproducing local church guarantees that there will be a continuing establishing of
God's Kingdom after all the excitement is over and the great western missionary goes
home. We plant churches that are self supporting, self governing, and self
propagating.
3. All Are On Church Planting
Teams
Two by two, Jesus sent them out... We
work in teams because teams survive where it is hard, because teams provide a
"community" for spiritual growth and accountability, and because teams get a lot
more done working in unity that all of the individuals would get done working alone.
A team is usually three or more family units.
By recognizing the differing gifts and
roles of the team members, everyone is better utilized. It is easier to adjust and
to succeed when you are doing what you do best. No one needs to do everything or be
responsible for everything. Team relationships also provide a platform for working
out differences and growing in Christ as well as mutual accountability. Perhaps best
of all there is a unity that brings Christ's Presence and Power to bear on the work in a
special way.
4. We Use Culturally Sensitive
Ministry
Missionaries have too often
"ruined" cultures and alienated their converts by "colonizing" the
target peoples with western as well as Christian ideals. Many unreached groups today
are not reached because they have never heard the gospel in a culturally sensitive way.
SEAMIST teams strive to become cultural insiders to the point that they can
communicate in understandable ways. They study the local languages on location among
the people they hope to reach (LAMP method) so that they, like the Apostle Paul, can
become like one of the target people so that some can be saved.
They also try not to impose foreign forms
and ideals on the new churches beyond what the New Testament prescribes as necessary.
By allowing the convert to remain culturally like his family and friends, SEAMIST
teams expect that the convert will be maximally effective in his witness to them. We
don't change the believer on the outside, we expect the Holy Spirit to change him from the
inside. That is not to say we encourage sinful lifestyles at all, just that we try
not to make any more little westerners...
5. An Individualized Training
Program
Every individual has unique gifts and
abilities, and every missions team has unique circumstances. On the job training is
best suited to the flexibility needed to succeed in accomplishing what has never been done
before. With a team advisor and other mentors to train and help the team
leader, each team leader can then develop the team training
program best suited to that team's circumstances and to the member's needs and roles.
While we want our candidates to have a good
educational foundation and to be spiritually mature, we know that the first few years on
the field is the best training a missionary can have. Most of the countries where we
work no longer accept missionaries, so we have to find other ways to be present. A business
advisor or an electrical engineer may get access where no one else can get in. We
obviously encourage tent-making when it is appropriate.
Language is learned on arrival with
national speakers using a modified LAMP method, and evangelistic methodologies are
developed dynamically by the team in ways determined by their circumstances and to maximize their
gifts. Honest evaluations and a commitment to continuing upgrading provide the
vehicle for sharpening even the veterans.
6. A High Level Of Involvement
By Supporters
Home church support in the form of prayer,
funds, and pastoral care are necessary. A prayer force back home must be developed
and in place. Monthly communications with the "home team" is
required, as the giving between missionary and sender must go both ways.
Field visits by pastors and supporters are encouraged and promoted, especially if
it is a prayer walk where the team is working. Prayer letters, newsletters, videos,
and e-mails all help. SEAMIST missionaries realize that their prayer partners are
some of the most important people on earth, and that they need them if they are to succeed
in doing impossible things for God's glory.
People group adoption, sister church
programs, and short term missions projects are only a few of the possibilities.
SEAMIST wants the home support team to really have a feel for what they are doing through
the missionary, and for SEAMIST missionaries to be fully in touch with and
ministering to his partners back
home. Finally, if you have read all this,
then you are obviously interested in SEAMIST. Why not
contact us or fill out
a Preliminary
Questionnaire today and get in touch with us...?
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