Calvary Chapel Missions

As an outreach of Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg Missions Department, short-term missions exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus with the goal of spiritual transformation and growth of the local community and team members, resulting in church planting, global awareness, growth of leaders, expansion of faith in action and exploration of long-term missions.

I. Commitment to Supporting Church Planting and Nurturing

“do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:35

“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matt. 9:37-38

“…and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!… So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom 10:13-15, 17

As a priority, Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg is committed to supporting missionary endeavors that involve raising up indigenous churches, with the end goal of being a self supporting and a locally run Christian entity. Our emphasis is on Bible believing Calvary Chapel or Calvary style ministries (ministries consistent with our values). The ministries are defined by dependence on the Holy Spirit in directing its operation and ministry and the four functions of the church as defined by Acts 2:42:

Leading people into a greater understanding of the whole counsel of God through his Word
Developing fellowship
Participating in communion among believers
Placing priority on prayer.

Our short-term mission trips will strive to empower and support the local people we work with to continue to change lives in their communities, even after we have come and gone. We will only participate in outreach that is locally initiated, ongoing and involves follow-up after the team has left.

II. Commitment to Missionaries Sent from Local Fellowship

Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg is committed to supporting missionaries from our local fellowship by sending short-term teams. Our priority will be to support missionary efforts that lead to indigenous church planting or nurturing and care for widows and orphans.

III. Commitment to Sound Principles While Involved at a Location

We will:

Avoid situations that lead to paternalism at all costs (i.e., creating an environment where the nationals feel they cannot continue the work on their own).
Avoid creating a dependency on our resources (money, time and involvement).
Encourage national involvement and ownership whenever possible.

IV. Commitment to Develop a Mission Minded Body through Short-Term Missions

Our goals for the church body for short-term missions are three fold:

To raise up Christian leaders that are sent out as missionaries from the local body.
To create a missions minded church body with a global perspective.
To build up Christian leaders at Calvary Chapel.

V. Commitment to a Holistic View of Mission

We believe that everyone is called to serve the kingdom of God and we believe that Missions involvement is for every believer. As a result, we are committed to three types of teams:

Service/Encouragement Trips (Missions Level 1 – service and lighter construction)
Work Teams (Missions Level 2 – medical, construction, etc.)
Primarily Evangelism (Missions Level 3 – intense ministry

VI. Commitment to Building Relationships with Nationals

We will focus on participating in the lives of the people in the community as well as working with them, as opposed to doing something for them. Our priority is to be involved in work that involves nationals, allowing for maximum interaction and opportunities for relationships to be formed on an individual basis as well as on a community level. Building relationships takes time, and we will prioritize supporting locations where there is an opportunity to return to participate with the local church or organization.

VII. Commitment to Long-Term Partnership and Involvement

We are committed to developing long-term participation and partnership with the host organization. We will continually reevaluate the process and our involvement to ensure we are helping and not hindering the local work. In addition, we believe that long-term involvement of participants in missions is strengthened through follow up events and debriefing. As our focus is long-term, our training will reflect that vision.

In all things, Calvary Chapel will continue to allow the Lord to define the specific direction of the Short-Term Missions Program; however, in a desire to be consistent and to be focused with the resources God has given us, we have defined this mission statement.