Missions at RBC: FAQ, Part 2
HOW DOES THE COMMITTEE TAKE ON NEW MISSIONARIES?
This is by far the most difficult decision that the Missions Committee makes. When finances are available to take on new missionaries, the Missions Committee reviews a list of missionaries who have expressed interest in being considered for support by RBC. The list is prayerfully reviewed, and the Committee prayerfully picks from the list a family or two (or however many is possible to come for an in person interview with the committee.) Prior to the interview, the missionary must complete RBC’s Service Application. This application is reviewed by all the Committee members prior to the interview. After the in-person interview, the Committee prays for one month to decide whether to support the missionary. Once the committee makes their decision, and if it is a positive one, the Committee’s recommendation for support goes to the Council of Elders for final approval.
DOES THE COMMITTEE TARGET CERTAIN PARTS OF THE WORLD OR CERTAIN TYPES OF MINISTRY?
Although church planting has always been our highest priority, the answer to the question is no. We trust the Lord to lead us to the ministries and parts of the world He desires RBC to become involved with. Our desire is to “Know Christ and Make Him Known” but after much discussion and experimenting, that is as tight as a box we desire to put ourselves in.
WITH THAT AS YOUR STRATEGY, WHERE DO YOU SUPPORT MISSIONARIES AND WHAT TYPE OF MINISTRIES?
We support people in every region of the world. The ministries we support include: church planters, evangelists, Bible teachers, missionary children teachers, home and field office administration, computer operators, language translators, tribal workers, pilots, mechanics, member care providers and orphan ministry.
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part one)
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part two)
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part three)
Missions at RBC: FAQ, Part 1
Reston Bible Church desires to see solid, biblical, growing churches planted around the world. We define “missions” as a ministry outside the continental United States or a state-side ministry which supports ministries outside the continental United States. We support approximately 220 cross-cultural and national missionaries, many of whom have been raised at RBC. In this short series, Bill Hurley, Director of Missions at RBC, answers frequently-asked questions regarding our missions program.
HOW IS THE RBC MISSIONS PROGRAM FUNDED?
The Council of Elders at RBC have made Global Missions a budget line item to which they give $128,000.00 per month. Most all of this is committed and given to missionaries in monthly support. RBC currently supports 220 families around the globe. In addition to that budget figure, the program receives all monies designated to specific missionaries and all monies designated to missions in general. The designated gifts are given to the specific designated ministry. The monies given to missions in general are used by the Missions Committee to give to one-time needs of the missionaries RBC support. In the fiscal year August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010, the Missions Committee was able to give out $50,194.00 in one-time gifts to meet specific needs of our missionaries.
The Local Missions budget is also a line item in the budget and most of the budget ($6750.00 per month) is given out each month in monthly support to the 15 various local ministries RBC supports.
WHAT IS THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE?
RBC has two separate missions committees, the Local Missions committee and the Global Missions committee. The Local Missions Committee oversees those we support who have a ministry within the 48 continental States. These include campus ministries, YoungLife, Sanctity of Life, prison ministry, etc. This committee consists of four people.
The Global Missions Committee administers those we support outside the 48 continental States. Some of the people we support are located within the 48 states, but their ministry is global. This committee consists of 15 people currently.
I do not recruit committee members. In order to serve in this ministry, the person needs to be led by the Lord. The process to join is simple – they let me know they are interested, I meet with them and I make a recommendation to the Elders and they make the final decision. Both committees, for the most part, operate by a simple majority. On a few very important issues, such as taking on a new missionary, the decision must be unanimous. I chair both committees.
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part one)
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part two)
(RBC MISSIONS FAQ: click here for part three)
VIDEO: Youth Summer Missions in Croatia
Thank you so much to the many who faithfully prayed for the Croatia team this year. God definitely used your prayers in and through our lives. Personally, I saw more prayers answered in our two weeks there than I have seen during any period in my life, and each of you were a part of that. There were impending storms that threatened to cancel the baseball camp that never dropped more than a sprinkle. There were times when we were exhausted, but suddenly got another wave of energy to continue ministering. Our plans were constantly changing, but God was constantly providing. We thought we would just be planting seeds, but got to reap a harvest. Whatever number of kids we prayed to come to our camps, we got double.
God was incredibly gracious to us, and we thank you for partnering with us for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Thank you for your prayers. If you have any questions about the trip, please contact me at aaronosborne@restonbible.org.