MISSIONS & OUTREACH

PRAY...GIVE...GO...

Why Missions?

We believe missions fulfill the Great Commission commanded by Jesus. The call to make disciples locally and globally.
Acts 1:8 calls us “to the ends of the earth”. Practically speaking we know we are not all called to go live in Africa, but some are.

The call to missions is fulfilled through the mantra Pray, Give, and Go.
We are to pray for the nations, we are to support and give generously to building God’s kingdom worldwide, and we are called go to the ends of the earth.
Missions help connect us to what is going on in the world and to see the bigger picture of God’s kingdom.
Seeing what is happening in another context and in our local community creates the opportunity to gain new perspective and inspiration to serve and love Him more.

How We Partner?

How do we decide to who to support?
With so many wonderful ministries and missionaries, it is impossible to support them all! Some years ago, our staff and elder board identified three guiding principles for missions support.
We want to partner with GOSPEL- CENTERED people and organizations that focus on the following:

Building the Church

Koinonia partners with other ministries to plant churches and train a new generation of leaders.

Compassion

Koinonia partners with other ministries and missionaries to feed the hungry, and care for orphans and widows.

Relationships

Koinonia partners with other ministries and missionaries with the goal of building long term relationships and hosting teams.

Why We Give To Missions?

Generosity is the fruit of proper Biblical understanding of ownership. I’m convinced by the psalmist words, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it”.
God is the source, provider, creator, and owner.
Understanding this truth is the first principle in handling our money well. Our role isn’t to “give back” to God but manage the resources He asked us to invest for His Kingdom’s sake.
We give at Koinonia Church because we know God is expecting a return according to the story of the talents in Matthew 25. We give to invest in the Kingdom-building ministries He set before us.
I believe when you give; ‘you are saying to God, you’re in charge, God, and everything I have is available to You for Your Kingdom.’

Our team just returned on July 22nd from a 10-day mission trip to Betel Ministries. Betel UK is part of the larger work of Betel International that began in 1985, which is based in Madrid, Spain. The Betel recovery model harmonizes church-planting, residential living and charitable businesses to help desperate people heal and rebuild their lives based on the gospel of Jesus.

Betel UK is dedicated to restoring homeless, addicted and long-term unemployed people to healthy, independent lifestyles. Betel provides help and hope to some 350 recovering people. They train men and women in a wide range of life and employment skills, equipping them to build a stable and productive future. All of the homes are drug- and alcohol-free and totally free of charge. Betel offers the opportunity of restoration to all persons who seek help, regardless of financial means.

While on this trip, teams were able to stay on campus and experience the community and work that happens at Betel. They visited 4 different Betel sites in London and got to experience the unique makeup of each one of them. The team facilitated devotional meetings, helped with daily chores, and had many divine opportunities to minister to the staff and residents.

UK, Birmingham Team

“My heart was moved on more than one occasion. To hear the men and women of Betel worshiping passionately was incredible. The stories shared with us were like from a movie, but lived by these men and women. To see their lives so incredibly changed was powerful and really reminded me of the power of God. He moved mountains of these men and women. He made a way, when they said no way. My favorite night and the night for me that felt the most powerful, was the night that Maria gave the message in Hexham. That night I really felt the presence of the Spirit working and moving. It was absolutely amazing. Betel UK is doing kingdom work. The culture and community they are creating is unmatched. I am grateful for the opportunity to go and I cannot wait to go back.”

-Caitlin Fagundes

“To worship with hungry and desperate believers was an experience at a whole new level and right up there with the best parts of this trip but what was most awesome for me was this: Getting to know church members in a more intimate way by doing life together and sharing the gospel on the mission field is powerful and a wonderful blessing. Our stories not only ministered and brought hope to those at Betel but also to each other on the team. We had a deep sensitivity for each other that there was no time for quarreling, only patience and love in everything we did. With this in mind, some of the ladies and I spent time in prayer for healing and deliverance for each other back at our hotel in London. It’s wild how God knits us together ! I know I can trust and call upon my Betel team in my time of need or just because.”

-Maria Serna

Monthly Missions Support

Click on any of the links below to learn more about each organization, sign up for their newsletter updates, or get involved.

Concerned About Going on a Trip?

Here are a few things to put your mind at ease.

Trainings

Don't let the fear or worry about not knowing what to say or do prevent you from going on a trip. As a team we prepare beforehand to make sure we can control all of the controllable's.

Team Building

We will not send you out into the Missions field with a bunch of strangers. We will have multiple team meetings before the trip to get to know each other and build team chemistry.

Fundraising

You will not fundraise alone! We know that finances are a big hurdle. We have seen God show up time and time again! It will be hard work but you will be filled with the generosity of the church family, help from your fellow team members, and the grace of God.