by Jon Konnerup
The BBFI Mission Office was set up in the early 1950s to assist our Fellowship churches in sending the Gospel around the world. It is not our desire, purpose, or vision to ever take the place of the local, sending church as the mission agency set before us in Acts 13. We are simply here to assist the local church in any way possible.
Our mission is to come alongside churches to process funds for their missionaries and to assist with various aspects of caring for their missionaries. We do not usurp the authority of the sending church, but when called upon, we are available to assist them.
Following are the services and some of the benefits the Mission Office provides to the churches of the BBFI:
Screening missionary applicants
BBFI Contact Directory (online and in print)
Contribution services
- process and receipt contributions averaging $3 million a month
- expedite emergency funds from churches to missionaries
- provide donor contribution reports
- manage U.S. tax law compliance
Promotional materials (posters, brochures, and videos)
- mission conference supplies (faith promise cards, faith promise devotional, placemats for banquets)
Support services
- assist with mission conference bookings
- provide information and assistance to field representatives
- assist sending churches with missionary care
- provide assistance and set-up for mission trips
Website services
- detailed missionary contact information
- profile information of missionaries
- downloadable missionary pictures and videos
Other services
- mailing labels for churches and missionaries
- furlough list of missionaries
- missionary e-mail list
- monthly Missionary Connection newsletter
PROCESSING FUNDS
The BBFI World Mission Service Center does not charge approved missionaries, colleges, or the Tribune for handling their contributions — they receive 100% of every dollar that comes in for them. Just like the individual missionaries, the Mission Office is financed by faith through the giving of churches, individuals, and missionaries.
In addition to monthly statements and annual reports, we provide the following services for missionaries sent out by BBFI churches:
Financial Services
- assistance with any foreign government requirements
- bank letters of credit – to open bank accounts
- letters of verification – to obtain work permits
- loans for vehicles, emergencies, and foreign churches
- retirement options from support
- assistance with quarterly estimated tax payments
Personal Benefits
- worldwide medical coverage including emergency medical evacuation
- life insurance
- disability program
Training/Networking
- candidate school – preparation for the field
- annual Missionary Family Reunion
Website Services
- access to current and archived statements and reports
- data that can be exported to prayer letters, labels, etc.
Other Services
- crisis action team
- mail and package services
- notary public services
- power of attorney
We strive to efficiently and effectively serve your missionaries as the bridge between those who give and those who go. Consider what the BBFI World Mission Service Center has to offer as you choose a service center for your missionaries.
MISSIONARY CARE OFFERING (MCO)
When thinking about missionary care, there are several areas of importance to consider — some of which help keep missionaries on the field and enable them to use more of their finances for their ministries. Let me briefly describe five major areas.
Security training. During our annual Candidate School, new missionaries receive concentrated training to prepare them to handle security issues they may face on the field. The MCO helps provide this training by a certified person at no extra cost.
Annual Missionary Reunion. Each year at the reunion, there is at least one missionary who is ready to throw in the towel, but by the close of this week of spiritual refreshment and rejuvenation, they are encouraged to persevere. Because churches give to the MCO, the cost to missionaries to attend the reunion is half of the total cost.
Ministering to missionaries in times of great need. Due to the sensitive nature of these issues, we are unable to go into detail; however, we can report a number of missionaries in desperate situations have been helped, thereby allowing them to remain on the field. Their sending churches can help, but many times need the additional assistance we offer. The MCO gives us the opportunity to love on and encourage those in need – ultimately enabling them to stay where God has called them.
Ministry to Missionary Kids. While this area is still in development, our goal is to develop materials that will not only help missionary kids, but their parents also. We want to come alongside the sending church to help them know how to care for their missionary’s kids.
Serving Sending churches. Many pastors have asked for suggestions that would better prepare them to encourage and minister to their missionaries. We are formulating plans to assist pastors and sending churches to reduce the attrition rate as they minister to their missionaries.
Please consider what you can give to the MCO to help our missionaries in these areas and possibly more.
CHAPLAINS
For many years the Baptist Bible Fellowship International has had an agreement with the United States Department of Defense. The BBFI is an authorized ecclesiastical endorsing agency for chaplains serving the Armed Forces.
This gives an amazing opportunity for prepared, dedicated, and conscientious men to serve both God and country. Each branch of the military has its own specific requirements as to the chaplaincy. Once a man has chosen in which branch he will serve, he then must meet the requirements of the BBFI.
ANNUAL CANDIDATE SCHOOL
Each year, pastors, missionaries, specialized professionals, and Mission Office staff discuss a variety of topics with those attending. The daily sessions are filled with classes specifically tailored to the various phases of the missionary process — whether it is for those who are going as TEAM, to individuals transitioning from TEAM to career missionaries, or those beginning deputation, to those receiving pre-field orientation after completing a year of deputation. The week culminates with a challenge issued by the mission director. The BBFI Missionary Candidate School is an integral part of the process of preparing missionaries for service.
Following are the topics discussed throughout the training:
General
- BBFI Mission Office
- BBFI philosophy
- Mission Policies/procedures
- BBFI medical plan
- Mission Office website
Preparations
- Deputation process
- Dealing with moving overseas
- Church planting
- Linguistics
- Crisis response and backing
- Educating children on the field
- Prayer letters
Spiritual
- Accountability of the missionary
- Spiritual foundations
- Spiritual perspectives
- Spiritual life of the missionary
- What a pastor expects of a missionary
Financial
- Biblical basis for financial accountability
- Financial reports
- Online banking
- Personal budgeting
Relational
- Culture shock
- Interpersonal relationships
- Working with national leadership
- Counseling sessions
- Time with Mission Office staff