At Grace Baptist in Westlake, Ohio, we desire to honor God and demonstrate our love to Him by obeying His command to all who follow Jesus:

 

Matthew 28:19,20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

 

In light of this and believing that God’s grace is involved in every aspect of making disciples, we make this our goal:

 

 

All aspects of our missions ministry originate and are accountable to this local church. Any partnerships in missions are to assist the purpose and goals of this local church. All parts of our missions ministry are subject to the Constitution of Grace Baptist Church, including our doctrinal statement.

 

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

Understanding God’s command to His followers: that they would reach people in their community (Jerusalem), outside their community (Judea and Samaria), and then the rest of the world, we desire the same. It is our intent to balance our missions between community (Cleveland area), home missions (United States), and foreign (rest of the world). To the best of our ability, our resources of people, time, energy and finances will be divided among these three areas.

 

It is our desire that every member of Grace has the opportunity to participate in missions. This includes things such as: prayer, mission trips, giving, missionary letters, presentations, projects, conferences, and more. The primary goals are to recognize, encourage, teach, train, and send out missionaries from our church.

 

 

The Missions Ministry Team (MMT) will consist of members from Grace Baptist Church. The pastors will select a team leader, who will serve on a year-by-year basis. The pastors will determine, through an interview and evaluation process, which person is best suited to lead each year. If the pastors deem it necessary to remove the leader at any time, the pastors are responsible for the transition to new leadership. The appointed leader will then put together his team. It is up to the leader to determine how many are needed and who should make up the team. The leader, with approval of the pastors, may add or delete from his team at any time. Before a new team member is added, approval must be given by the pastors. The leader is directly accountable to the pastors, or any particular person the pastors designate.

 

The primary function of the MMT will be to carry out the missions policy of the church, which includes the strategic planning and process of the above purpose and philosophy statements.

 

The MMT will make a yearly plan to evaluate and move forward in accomplishing goals commensurate with the overall purpose of

our missions policy and church. This includes doing whatever is necessary to include the congregation in prayer support, as well as other opportunities for missions ministry.

 

The MMT will be responsible for the missions budget, which should reflect the desires expressed in this missions policy. The MMT is to work together in order to carry out this policy, its purpose, and goals. The team leader is responsible for final decisions and accountable to the pastors for them.

 

 

When beneficial for pursuit of our purpose and goals, the MMT will recommend to the church which relationships to establish with a mission agency. These relationships can also be terminated at any time. It is the expectation that these agencies will be serving our church to accomplish our goals. As long as the agencies’ doctrinal position, testimony, and teachings are in accord with ours, they may be considered for partnership. All new partnerships must be approved by the pastors and MMT.

 

 

All missionary candidates who wish to be supported by Grace must complete an application. The application will be submitted to the MMT for review and approved by the pastors. This does not include those taking trips under the authority of our youth ministry. It does include all those taking short-term missionary assignments, as well as those heading into full-time vocational missionary ministry. This encompasses those who attend Grace, are members of Grace, and even those individuals and agencies outside of Grace who wish to be supported.

 

Once an application has been submitted and reviewed, and if approved, the next step is an interview process. The number of interviews and other details are up to the MMT and pastors to determine. The interviews will be used to determine what the specific needs are, and whether or not it is best to support this individual or group at this present time.

 

In order to be supported financially by Grace, the individual or organization, including the amount of funds to be given, must be approved by the congregation.

 

The amount of the honorarium will be, at the least, the same as for other guest speakers, including travel expenses.

 

The level of support for those involved in short-term or long-term missionary activities will be determined based on the following:

· Are they members of our church?

· Are they members of a church of like faith and practice?

· What are their needs?

· How will supporting this person or organization further our purpose, values, and goals?

· What do we have available in our budget?

· Is a special offering required?

· How does God seem to be leading us?

 

The amount decided on must be approved by the MMT, the pastors, and then the congregation through the budget meeting or a special meeting called for this purpose. Any changes in support must go through the same process. This also includes emergency needs or urgent requests. When needed, the MMT, with approval of the pastors, may institute a special project or offering.

 

Various needs and concerns will be taken into consideration when the amount of support is determined. The missionary or organization should consider that the amount we give covers all present and future concerns including: outfit, passage, furlough, retirement, and death. If requested by the missionary, we will consider setting apart a specified amount that can be applied directly to any of these concerns, including a retirement fund or life insurance. Once the missionary has resigned, been dismissed, retired, or died, the financial obligations of Grace Baptist Church will end.

 

As determined by the MMT and approved by the pastors, special gifts (such as Christmas, retirement, birthday, anniversary, ministry accomplishments, birth of children, etc.) may be given.

 

The MMT is responsible to evaluate and edit their part of the budget in compliance with the guidelines set for them. Their recommendation will be evaluated and approved or edited by the pastors and others the pastors choose to help in the process. It will then be approved by the congregation through the regular budget process. It is our desire that the budget correctly reflects our purpose, policy, values, and goals.

 

 

Each missionary and organization is expected to update us on their ministry, including prayer needs, once every 3 months. If there is any major change in their field, agency, length or type of ministry, doctrinal beliefs, etc., those we support are expected to contact us within a month of making that decision. It is the church’s responsibility to inform those we support of anything they need to know about our ministry and to yearly send a specific communication that prepares us all for another ministry year.

It is expected that each ministry and organization we support will visit us with up-dated presentations once every 6 years. During that visit, at the discretion of the MMT, an interview will be held to encourage those serving, be up-dated on their needs, and to then consider how we can better serve with them. This church will attempt to visit every missionary and organization where they serve and that we support at least once every 10 years.

 

It is expected that each missionary and organization that we support will send us an annual report. This form will include a re-affirmation of the doctrinal statement for them to sign, a review of their past ministry year, and their goals for the coming year. We will also ask how we can be a better support to them in the following year. Every time we visit a missionary or organization where they serve, an evaluation will be made as to the present status and needs of that particular ministry.

 

Since the church is responsible before God for how we use His resources, the church must decide when to withdraw support and when to reinstate it. This begins with the recommendation of the MMT and pastors. It will be reflected in the following year’s budget, and if needed, will be taken before the congregation for a special vote or for their information.