Missions

Mission Extension

Near and far disciple making is not a department of the church; it’s why the church exists.

That’s why when others might use the term “missions,” we say discipleship extension.

Extension Foundations

Purpose

The purpose of Faith Community Church is to glorify God.

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

Mission

Our mission is to make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ. The scope of this charge applies to those nearest and most like us and includes every ethnicity on earth.

(Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, Matthew 24:14)

Disciples

Disciples are those who are trusting in the finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life; who are growing into Christ by being established in the faith handed down from the apostles; and are advancing Christ’s kingdom as they go on mission.

(2 Timothy 2:2)

Goal

The goal of the New Testament missional enterprise is to multiply worshippers through the planting of churches that perpetuate indigenous disciple making.

FCC joyfully supports several local, regional, and global ministry partners.

See Our Partners

Latest Extension Updates

Check back here for the latest blog posts!

Extension Details & Partnership Application

1. Focus

Because the local church is God’s missional focus all FCC partners must demonstrate a vital connection with Faith Community or a like-minded local church prior to and during the length of partnership.

Faith Community’s partnerships will focus on those that evangelize people apart from Christ (which may include mercy ministries and relief efforts), establish believers, and entrust leaders.

Our extension emphases include:

Church planting and church planting movements (sending, resourcing & equipping)
Those God brings to the St. Croix Valley from other nations
Unengaged or unreached people groups

Our Partners consist of those who are:

Part of the FCC family and meet eligibility guidelines
Commended participants in the LEAD Team of churches
Like-minded, indigenous leaders who share our discipling convictions and can maintain meaningful relational ties.
Commended by like-minded churches.

These priorities are not meant to confer inferiority or superiority among types of missionary work; but to underscore our best understanding of God’s calling for our local assembly.

Faith Community will serve in one of four capacities in our partnerships:

Sending church-assuming a lead role in supporting the partner(s) as well as the primary oversight relationship.
Symbiotic church-supporting part of the FCC family being sent by another church.
Sister church-assisting a sending church within the St. Croix Valley LEAD team.
Supporting church-assisting other like-minded churches, particularly those who are part of Converge Worldwide and Converge Great Lakes.

Faith Community may also partner with agencies that share in our goals and priorities.

There are three categories of partnership based on the length and intent of our partners.

Short term partnership exists for a time of six months or less
Mid term is six months to two years
Long term is for those who go for over two years with career vocational intent.

Application for partnership with Faith Community’s extension ministry is made through the Pastor for Missional Life. Mid-term and career partnerships require approval by the elders of FCC.

Short Term Qualifications

Application through FCC website
Active and obvious commitment to Jesus Christ
Regular participant in the life of Faith Community (attends public worship 50+% of the time, involved in a ministry role)
Acceptance by an agency endorsed by Faith Community
Commended by the Pastor for Missional Life

Mid Term Qualifications

Application through FCC website
Active and obvious commitment to Jesus Christ
High school graduate
Member of FCC at least one year prior to date of departure
Alignment with the theology and extension philosophy of FCC
Willingness to serve as career cross-cultural disciple-maker, if God so leads
Personal and spiritual maturity sufficient to the proposed assignment
Successful completion of the Acts and Pauline courses through FCC’s Antioch school
Meets the qualifications of a deacon in 1 Timothy 3
Interview with Pastor for Missional Life and approval of FCC elders
Strong recommendations from church leaders in his/her area of service, including their missional community
Acceptance by an FCC approved agency

Long Term Qualifications

Clear profession and evidence of God’s saving work; spiritual maturity; consistent Christian lifestyle; evidence of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Member of Faith Community and actively involved in the life of the church for a minimum of three years
Alignment with the theology and extension philosophy of FCC
Strong recommendations from church leaders in his/her area of service, including their missional community
Adequate education and training to carry out the proposed ministry including Bible training (minimally certificate completion of the Antioch course), cross-cultural preparation and required professional training
Background of proven ministry experience (including active involvement in evangelism and discipleship)
Proposed missionary activity aligns with FCC extension strategy and emphases
Desires to maintain strong relationship with FCC members and leadership, and will abide by any guidelines for correspondence and periodic review of ministry
Elder qualified in keeping 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9
Physically, emotionally and mentally fit. Successful completion of any psychological testing which Faith Community and/or approved mission agency requires
Acceptance by an FCC approved agency

Expectations of Short Term Partners

Honor God and His church (including a willingness to submit to relevant leadership) during the extension experience
Submit a brief written report (format provided on FCC website) of the extension experience within 30 days of return
Meet with the Pastor for Missional Life to discuss the trip within 60 days of return
Financial support will not exceed two short-term experiences

Expectations of Mid Term Partners

Honor God and His church (including a willingness to submit to relevant leadership) during the extension experience
Submit a brief written report (format provided on FCC website) of the extension experience within 30 days of return
Create and execute a return event report for the FCC family
Meet with the Pastor for Missional Life to discuss the trip within 60 days of return
Financial partnership will be limited to one mid term experience

Expectations of Long Term Partners

Honor God and His church (including a willingness to submit to relevant leadership) during the extension experience
Meet or exceed goals set by their sending church and agency
Meaningful participation in the life of FCC during furloughs
Seek approval of FCC elders for any significant change of duties on the field

Extension Resources

Books

The Life and Diary of David Brainerd

Includes a biographical sketch of Jonathan Edwards by Phillip E. Howard Jr. This intensely devotional diary of a young 1740s missionary in the American wilderness inspired the world missions movement.

To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson

On February 12, 1812, Ann and Adoniram Judson sailed from Salem aboard the brig Caravan as two of the first missionaries to go out from North America. Watching the shoreline disappear from view, they could not have foreseen the impact of their journey on the future of the Christian world mission or on the thousands of men and women who would follow in their footsteps.

Peace Child

In this missionary classic, Don Richardson shares the story of how he and his wife risked their lives to share Christ with the cannibalistic Sawi people of New Guinea.

The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected

The Insanity of God is the personal and lifelong journey of an ordinary couple from rural Kentucky who thought they were going on just your ordinary missionary pilgrimage, but discovered it would be anything but.

Bruchko

The Astonishing True Story of a 19-Year-Old American, His Capture by the Motilone Indians and His Adventures in Christianizing the Stone Age Tribe.

The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

A dramatic autobiography of one of China’s dedicated, courageous, and intensely persecuted house church leaders.

Through Gates of Splendor

Through Gates of Splendor is the true story of five young missionaries who were savagely killed while trying to establish communication with the Auca Indians of Ecuador.

Videos

John Piper - Declare His Glory Among the Nations

John Piper - Let the Nations Be Glad, Part 1

Let the Nations Be Glad, Part 2

John Piper - You Were Made for Global Missions

6 Ways to Reach God's World

The 5-minute overview video highlights a unique series of six additional segments designed to help Christ-followers more effectively show his love for all people from home, community and around the world.