FEBC Global

Step 3 – Logistics Support

Step 1 – Recognizing the Need

Step 2 – Providing Moral Support

Step 3 – Logistics Support

“I am not a mouth. I cannot give wise spiritual counsel, or impart deep biblical truths, so I must not be very important.” The Bible says every person is gifted in a particular way and all are needed for the healthy working of the Body of Christ. Paul needed help with common, everyday supplies and tasks. In his second letter to Timothy, he asked Timothy to bring his cloak when he comes along with the books and parchments he left with Carpus. (2 Timothy 4:13)

Global partners have everyday needs, some of which are difficult to take care of from the field. People within your local body are gifted in helping in this practical way. Some people in your body can give much needed business and legal advice or assistance.

Regular communication is necessary to stay abreast of the needs of the global partner besides hearing what they are currently doing in their field of service. A letter should be required from time to time from the global partner, and someone from your congregation should communicate from the church. This communication is a two-way street.

Today, with so many podcasts and streaming available, it’s hard to imagine a place where constant encouragement is not at hand. But there are areas where very poor internet connection exists, and that might be the plight of your global partners. In that case, they will need extra support with calls and letters from their home church to provide the much needed spiritual and moral support.

Be aware that as time goes on, your partner will be exposed to many different ways of thinking; their own strong convictions may be challenged and be subject to assimilation with these false teachings in subtle ways they may not be aware of. The powers of darkness are strong and don’t want to give up their hold where they have ruled for so long. It’s harder to fight against subtlety than to attack a boldfaced lie. Encourage and pray for your global partners.

Together with the sending organization:

• Establish an adequate financial budget for your global partners.
• Check to see what is covered in the support level they set for their global partners. Compare it with what businesses in their home country offer to employees, such as healthcare and retirement benefits.
• Make sure tax requirements for workers in other countries are adequately addressed.
• Discuss with the sending organization and with the global partners to ascertain their desires in the event of death of the global partner. Also, discuss a plan for when a family member at home passes away.

You, as the sending church:

• May need to manage their house to rent.
• Ascertain how they want to dispose of other property left behind.
• Decide on the right way to handle absentee ballots for elections.
• May need to renew driver’s licenses or other credentials or certificates that expire before they return.
• May offer a small corner to store some things they want to keep until they return.
• On a more personal note: offer to visit their elderly parents or provide a home base for their returning college-age children.

The internet has made the world more accessible, but still not all areas of the world can be reached. Discuss how to handle things for your global partner when they cannot be reached.

The person/people providing logistical support should be diligent (not a procrastinator) getting the job done in a timely manner. They should give attention to details when dealing with all the requirements of the host country. They, of course, should be honest and trustworthy as they pay bills on time and save receipts in an orderly fashion.

When all is done efficiently, your global partner will be able to focus on the ministry at hand and be more effective in the work.