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WHAT IS A NATIVE MISSIONARY?

A native missionary is a person who is working full-time in his own culture or a similar culture to evangelize his own people. Native missionaries are highly effective because they know the language, customs, and culture of the people to whom they are ministering and they don't represent a foreign country or foreign religion. They can also be sent for much less money than a foreign missionary.

WHY WE NEED TO ADOPT NATIVE MISSIONARIES?

Over 80 percent of African, Asian and East European (Angola, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, India, Belorussia, Hucrania, Russia Federation to say some) nations are closing or restricting our western missionaries. Each year more Asian and East European countries prohibit western missionaries activity and some has been deported. Yet, of the 2.7 billion people in the world who have never heard the gospel, 2/3 live in Asia and East Europe. Of the almost 45,000 western missionaries working in the world today, less than 10 percent are working in those countries. And most of those are involved in social work, not direct evangelism and church planting.

The average cost of supporting one Western missionary family is over $35,000 a year, while these same funds will fully support 40 native missionaries on most Asian, African and East European mission fields for a whole year! These native missionaries also live nearest the unreached people, know the language, customs, and culture, and live at the level of the people to whom they are ministering.

HOW ARE NATIVE MISSIONARIES SELECTED AND TRAINED?

Potential native missionaries must submit a completed application form from the Sepoangol World Ministries office in their country. Applicants accepted at this point will be visited and interviewed by an experienced SWM Field Representative, who will consult the Christian leaders who know the applicant and his field most needs. Native missionaries are trained under a mature leader, through Sepoangol's intensive Bible School (SEP-II), or most often a combination of the two.

HOW DOES SPONSORSHIP WORK?

A Christian in the West can help sponsor a native missionary for a monthly pledge of $50 to $150. The cost of supporting a missionary depends on his marital status, family size, and location of his ministry. Some missionaries will have more than one sponsor to make up their full support, and the sponsorship is based on a six or twelve months term.

CAN SPONSORS CORRESPOND WITH NATIVE MISSIONARIES?

Yes, they can! For safety reasons the SWM allow correspondence with the missionaries thru its office in Fort Lauderdale or any Area Representative. Native missionaries must be careful not to be viewed as working for a foreign agency which could severely hinder their work among the non-Christian community. Also, most have little or no knowledge of the Portuguese or English languages. It is our sincere desire to keep you posted on what is happening on the field through our SepNews!

DO NATIVE MISSIONARIES RECEIVE ANY AID IN THEIR WORK?

Sepoangol World Ministries provides such vital essentials as gospel literature, Bibles, bicycles, bullhorns, power generators, musical instruments, medication and basic construction material, as well as training the workers and building village churches. SWM also helps with mass evangelism through radio broadcasting and crusades.

HOW DO NATIVE MISSIONARIES RECEIVE THEIR SUPPORT?

When a sponsorship pledge comes into the office of Sepoangol World Ministries, it is sent to the SWM office in the country where the native missionary is serving. There it is exchanged for local currency. It is then sent to the leader under whom the missionary is serving, who dispenses it to him.

HOW DO I KNOW THE NATIVE MISSIONARIES ARE GETTING THEIR SUPPORT?

SWM has developed a detailed system to distribute funds, assuring that no individual alone handles all the finances. Records, receipts, and books are kept for regular audit. Native missionary support funds are signed for by the leaders as well as by the native missionaries.

TO WHOM ARE NATIVE MISSIONARIES ACCOUNTABLE?

Native missionaries report to local indigenous mission boards or area representatives under whom they work. Also, Sepoangol World Ministries has a team of well-qualified national leaders who travel continuously to monitor the work.

HOW CAN I START SUPPORTING A NATIVE MISSIONARY?

Just fill up the on-line application, or send us a letter or fax of your intention to sponsor a missionary. Please let us know the country, the pledge amount and the sponsorship term selected. SWM will send you the missionary profile along with a picture of him and his family when available. Instructions will be given how your pledge will be carried out. The SWM office will keep you posted with fresh news from the field and maintain you in touch with your adoptive missionary.

HOW DOES SWM REMAIN FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE?

Sepoangol World Ministries with its 15 years of accountable work among the Lusophonic Communities, is committed to do God's will in a way that honors Him. Our conviction is that God has made no promise that He will not keep. However, at the same time we want to give Christians an opportunity to become part of His work on earth. (Matthew 6:19-21)

All gifts to SWM are tax deductible. A hundred percent of all missionary support goes to the mission field; nothing is taken out for administrative expenses in the United States.

“YES, WOE IS ME IF I DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL!”

Please, Luke 18:1-7 remember all of us to have a few moments of prayer before choosing the country you would like to sponsor:

[MOZAMBIQUE] [ANGOLA] [INDIA] [INDONESIA] EAST EUROPE] [HAITI]

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Last Updated on November 1st, 1997 by Eronides DaSilva

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