“Reaching the World through Serving…”

The Vision of Global Outreach Services, Inc. has always been a commitment to equipping and training indigenous pastors and leaders to do the work of the ministry effectively. To accomplish this, we have three main projects we focus on: supplying bibles, teaching in leadership conferences, and providing financial assistance. The newest project we have undertaken regarding financial assistance is promoting industry by linking hand-made products with shoppers around the world. We are excited about bringing you quality merchandise while providing a livelihood for individuals and churches in other countries. The remaining, smaller projects are funded as needed.

A lot of the pastors that attend conferences arrive without a Bible. In the bush this is especially prevalent. Throughout the year pastors are mentored by other pastors or senior leadership of their denomination and they share a Bible, if there is one. Each time a pastor attends a mentoring session, he returns to his people and preaches what he has been taught. This is common in the more remote areas and the need is great.

The Spirit Filled Life Bible is our bible of choice for two reasons. First, it has a vast amount of reference material featured. This is invaluable to pastors who would have no other access to such reference works. And secondly, whenever a doctrine might have differing points of view, each of those views is listed at the bottom of the page with the corresponding Scripture references supporting each view point. This allows room for the Holy Spirit to lead and to teach.

Thomas Nelson
Lockman Foundation

Teaching

Training effective leaders is a hands-on, day-to-day task that must be done on the local level. Our strategy has been to work closely with indigenous leaders that have proven character, having been tested, and already doing the work of the ministry. It is our intent to under gird them, not replace. When a conference is organized by one of these leaders and they request our presence, we gladly lend our support. All teaching is then done by a group of leaders to those attending and we become one of the team. This style of ministry also demonstrates to everyone the effectiveness of team ministry.

If you are not familiar with the African cultures in which we work, you may not understand how revolutionary this concept is. Our first conference on our first initial missionary trip in 1999 was attended by several hundred pastors from many denominations. But that wasn’t the revolutionary part. What amazed the attendees more than crossing denominational boundaries was the fact that almost every tribe in Kenya was represented. To have different tribes all together in harmony was a bigger accomplishment than variety of denominations. It spoke to them of team work and body ministry.

A similar incident occurred in Uganda in 2000. A team of eight leaders each from different ministries, including Global Outreach, traveled to Uganda for a women’s conference by day and a crusade by night. When news of a white American ministering with Kenyans was heard by the local pastors, many began attending the women’s meeting even though they were men! Soon most of the pastors were in attendance. Recognizing that the Holy Spirit was working something special, an evening meal and meeting just for pastors was held. During that time our team emphasized how effective it is for leaders of different ministries to work together to accomplish the work of the Kingdom rather than separately. What we Americans did not understand until later was they were amazed the team was sharing a white American.

We were told that typically, if an African links up with a “mzungu” (white person) they jealously guard that relationship. A white person means money, either for themselves or their ministry, and also increases the African’s social importance. So our working as a team, with everyone being equal, and the Kenyan’s willingness to share a mzungu started a new concept of ministry. We have correspondence since then of their establishing a Ministry Council for the pastors and leaders of the city. Effective impact!more>>

Continued on next page