A Few Words about IFM Outreach Ministry
International Family Missions has a specific approach to outreach ministry. Our foundational premise is that a visit in Jesus' name is valuable and fruitful. A visit can have a wide variety of forms and expressions. For example, we may visit someone and build them a house, or visit someone and tell them about Jesus or visit someone and pray for them to get well... In all of these cases, we are representing the Lord and become a vessel for His love.
These visits should be Christ-centered and directed by the Holy Spirit. We do not have a pre-programmed ministry schedule but look to the Lord's direction for each outreach. We find that each of our teams is unique, having differently aged participants with a variety of gifts, abilities, and interests. Also, teams often have specific callings for the type of involvement they desire already on their hearts. Our goal is to help each team fulfill the ministry God is leading them to on the outreach. Therefore, each group prays before we -- together -- begin formulating the itinerary for the outreach.
IFM has several guidelines for all outreach ministry:
- The Gospel is an integral part of all ministry.
- Each member of the team is regarded, has an opportunity for involvement, and isn’t made to feel like "excess baggage".
- Relational ministry takes precedence over work projects.
- We will come along side the local Body of Christ wherever we can, being mindful to have our ministry involvement harmonize with what the Lord is currently doing in a particular area.
- We will do our best to be culturally sensitive, not stumbling or offending those with whom we come in contact. With proper training before an outreach and an attitude of humility on an outreach, we can trust that the Lord will make our paths straight!
Since the inception of IFM, we have desired to be a tool in the Lord's Hand, helping His children reach out to the lost world. We have found that as we put Him first and seek His leading, He uses each team very specifically and uniquely. At the end of each outreach, we can look back over the time and know that the Lord has been with us and has directed us into His good pleasure!
IT IS A GREAT JOY TO CO-LABOR WITH THE FATHER!
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