FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Raleigh, N.C. – The decline in the number of missionaries since 2001 is alarming. A 2024 report by Nations Outreach found 430,000 missionaries serving full-time on the mission field – down from 1,135,000 missionaries in 2001. Nearly half of them serve five years or less.
In an effort to address both the need for laborers and uncertainties faced by local churches, Missions:Together (M:T), announced a new partnership with Here2There Ministries (H2T) Feb. 20. The partnership offers a wider audience access to Here2There’s cohorts, coaching and resources, because churches want to advance missions but often do not know how.
Here2There’s curriculum complements M:T’s vision of helping churches, missionaries and networks develop strategic plans for missions. This is all in an effort to reverse negative trends.
“We believe every church can actively participate in missions,” said Carl Dobrowolski, Missions:Together’s Advancement Lead. “By coming alongside pastors and leaders, we want to bridge the gap between intention and execution.”
Mark Knetsch, Missions:Together Visionary Lead, said, “We’re joining efforts to equip, encourage and connect churches with pathways to see the world transformed by the gospel.”
Through this partnership, participants will receive tailored coaching for mission strategy development and learn directly from H2T leaders through in-person and virtual expos and workshops. Co-organized events aim to mobilize laypeople for missions, send more to the mission field, and strengthen care and partnerships between missionaries and churches.
M:T and H2T believe that every church is a sending church – and every person is a missionary. Together they seek to “equip leaders, laypeople and missionaries with the confidence and tools to turn vision into action – helping churches send and reach the nations.”
Stefanie Nicholson, executive director for Here2There said, “We want to see churches move from uncertainty to action. Our prayer is that through these resources and tools, we’ll see leaders send, church members go, and partnerships thrive.”
Here2There provides training through a 10-session program called Association of Mission Partnership Development (AMPD). AMPD courses are available in different formats for churches, missionaries and organizations, and cover three phases: missions strategy; missionary care and partnerships; and sending. Courses typically take about 10 months to complete.
About Missions:Together
Missions:Together seeks to accelerate missions through gospel unity, primarily by curating Kingdom collaboration through regular expos, trainings and digital resources. M:T connects individuals and churches to mission organizations and leaders locally, regionally and globally. They encourage church leaders and laypeople to understand their vision for missions and become familiar with the different channels and partners they have to accomplish it. M:T networks currently exist in Raleigh, N.C., and New York, N.Y., with more being organized in other cities.
About Here2There
Here2There, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a resource and support base for local churches and missionaries. They work with churches to raise up and send their people to serve locally, nationally and around the world, while also working with missionaries to develop thriving partnerships with their sending churches – so all actively participate in making disciples of all nations.
The first co-organized event is a Lunch and Learn on April 8 in Raleigh. The discussion will cover three things every church needs to launch a thriving missions team.
A co-organized regional expo is scheduled for this spring in Jacksonville.
To sign up for an AMPD course as a M:T member, fill out this interest form. To receive updates, subscribe to the M:T newsletter at www.missionstogether.church.
Web: missionstogether.church
Facebook: @missionstogether.church
Instagram: @missionstogether
For media inquiries, please contact:
Liz Tablazon
Communications Coordinator
missionstogether.liz@gmail.com
