Missio Partners

What if the people of God collaborated with one another to see a community transformed? What if social service agencies were filled with, and valued, maturing, unleashed Christ-followers? Could churches put their fear of secular social service agencies away for the sake of the gospel? What if people and churches were equipped to tangibly love and reveal the kingdom in true reciprocal relationships, in justice, and in gospel proclamation? What if these things (equipped churches and resourced service agencies) were combined for the long haul to enrich neighborhoods?

Might God use us to unite, train and mobilize whole churches, sending missionally formed people from many churches to engage their various cultural contexts in the greater Portland metro area? Could churches unite on a broad scale, across socio-economic, denominational and ethnic divides? Could individuals and churches be trained, formed and unleashed with their resources at the disposal of Christ and our city?

These are the dreams I believe God is calling me to respond to. This is why I am starting a nonprofit organization, called Missio Partners, initiated by and in partnership with Imago Dei Community Church. Our desire, at least the best I can explain it so far is this: to enrich Portland metro neighborhoods with an incarnated gospel (with our own expression in SE), to equip individuals and churches for this work, and to assist collaborative (think unity) efforts between service organizations and churches. To focus on this I have resigned from my position as Community Relations Pastor at Imago Dei.

I will be raising funds and filing the required paperwork starting now. I hope many of you will follow this endeavor with prayer, encouragement/advice, direct involvement, and financial support!