What’s So Great About TEAM?

Andy Olsen • May 15, 2014

We usually aim to be more informative than self-promotional on this blog. But occasionally, we do both at once. This follow-up to a recent post about how to choose a missions agency explains a few things that we believe (in our humble opinion) make TEAM a special place to serve. Our mobilization team recently shared this with our U.S. staff.

There are plenty of great missions agencies out there. We believe we’re all on the same side, working toward the same goals and serving the same God.

For more than a century , TEAM has been placing passionate people on the field to serve the kingdom through opportunities that are right for them and right for the global church. We’re not perfect by any means. But we do care about connecting God’s call on your life with the ways God is moving in the world.

Balanced theology and Christian diversity
While TEAM’s statement of faith is the uncompromising core of our identity, we also leave ample room for diverse worship and ministry approaches and differing theological perspectives on many issues. Read our statement of faith.

God dependence
TEAM strives to put in place the best systems and strategies it can, but we know that man-made structures alone do not guarantee success. Only God provides what is necessary to carry out world evangelization. We submit our lives to Scripture and rely on God for wisdom and strength, both in big-picture strategies and daily struggles.

Missionary care at every level
In addition to an experienced team of certified counselors, TEAM’s global member care network and experienced support staff offer personal and ongoing assistance in all of our fields. So whether you need help through marital stress, prayer and logistical support in a crisis, or just a friendly listening ear, we’re there for you.

Trusted stewardship
As a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability , TEAM is audited annually by a certified public accounting firm to ensure we spend money in the ways we say we spend it. You and your ministry supporters should expect such accountability from any reputable agency. In addition, our financial team and field leadership work diligently to ensure that funds are managed in accordance with local laws overseas.

Field-driven decision-making
Our structure aims to allow most decisions about ministry strategy to be made at the field level — that is, our priorities and approaches are driven by input on the ground, where ministry happens.

Accountability and ministry teams
It’s tough to do missions alone. Not only is there strength in numbers, but at TEAM, we also believe it’s more effective to do ministry on teams. When others journey with us, we find support and encouragement, and that somehow our collective efforts accomplish more than we could by ourselves. TEAM’s accountability structure is built to empower missionaries without smothering them.

A deep history
Past performance does not necessarily guarantee future success, but TEAM has been doing missions for more than a century and has learned a few things along the way. Our long history in countries around the world offers a stable platform from which to launch your ministry. We offer a long line of others who have gone to the field before you. So whether you are jump-starting a new ministry venture or are part of a large and established field team, you can tap into a community of expertise and support.

Focused on the local church
We work closely with local churches to honor and equip them to be vested partners in the missionary sending process. TEAM believes in the role of the local church as the primary sender, doing all we can to support them in that role and help their missionaries thrive.

Focused on making disciples
Our overseas ministries are focused on making disciples who become the church, because we believe the church is God’s chosen tool for effecting the most lasting change. Our ministries may range from health to evangelism to education, but all of them aim to create disciples who strengthen the national church wherever they are present.

A diverse set of service opportunities
We offer hundreds of widely varying opportunities to serve in more than 35 countries. We serve among all major world religions and most ethnic groups. No matter your skill set, there is a strong chance we can connect you to the right place to serve.

Competitive health insurance and retirement planning
At TEAM, we believe in setting up our missionaries for long-term success in life. For both our U.S. and Canadian missionaries, we offer group health plans that offer international coverage at competitively low premiums. For our long-term U.S. missionaries, we also offer a 403(b) retirement savings plan with matching employer contributions, which we strongly encourage our missionaries to take advantage of. Long-term missionaries with TEAM Canada participate in a separate retirement pension plan.

Personal debt
TEAM does not require prospective missionaries to be free of personal debt such as a mortgage or education loans before heading to the field. Our staff work closely with missionary candidates to make sure they have a plan in place to address debt in a sustainable way that does not jeopardize their ministry. We highly encourage applicants to eliminate credit card and other consumer debt before becoming missionaries.

Spiritual vitality
TEAM workers, by and large, are grounded in personal spiritual disciplines that fuel their lives and ministry. We help all missionaries to maintain vibrant habits of prayer, Bible study, and stillness that will sustain their spiritual and emotional well-being.

Looking to serve overseas, but not sure whether TEAM is a good fit for you? No pressure. Our missions coaches will gladly help you discern and serve you in any way they can.

Exploring The Creative Power of Creative Arts Ministry

By Lorena de la Rosa • 16 May, 2024
Creative Arts Ministries focus on using the arts to provide new avenues for Gospel reach and discipleship around the world. Ever felt the urge to channel your creative talents into a higher purpose but were unsure where to start? Whether your passion lies in art, music, or another creative endeavor, God is opening doors where creativity meets ministry, where the journey of expression takes on new meaning with eternal significance. Creative Arts Ministry is all about using your creative side to share the Gospel, encourage the global Church, and build disciples all around the world. Made with a Purpose At TEAM, Creative Arts Ministry encompasses a variety of initiatives and global workers on multiple continents, all focused on using the arts to provide avenues for the Gospel. Jon Tello, TEAM’s Global Arts Ministry Coordinator is a creative person who was first called to ministry when he was in 9th grade, even though he had no idea what that meant. “I talked to my pastors, and they said, ‘Hey, this is awesome, you’re going to be a pastor. You’re going to preach and teach God’s word,’” Jon recalls. He wasn’t sure how his love and gifting for art fit into this. Yet in his heart, Jon knew, “God made me into an artist for a purpose.” Jon says his experience is not unique. Many who feel called to global missions feel that their passion for the arts must take a back seat. They are left with the question, “As an artist, how do I fit into the bigger framework of this thing that we call the global Church?” Luke, a TEAM global worker in Japan, concurs. “A lot of people get into [cross-cultural work] just adjacent to where their skill is,” says Luke. He goes on to explain a great metaphor for what happens next. “In music, there’s a term called ‘dissonance.’ It’s when there are two notes very close together, but they clash.” Being near to one’s true calling and giftedness, yet not quite able to express it can lead to frustration and burnout. For Jon, Luke, and many others in TEAM, God is helping them find a “sweet spot” where they can use their creative gifts for Kingdom work, particularly in areas where traditional church planting and direct evangelism are difficult if not impossible. A Call to Creatives In a world teeming with creativity and a growing desire for missions, many find themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to blend their artistic talents with the call to serve. Picture this: a vast landscape of possibilities, where your creativity isn't just a skill, but a powerful tool waiting to be unleashed in the mission field. Jon’s role in TEAM allows him to help global workers tap into this potential. Jon remarks that the concept of art for ministry is anything but new. During the Renaissance period, the literary rate was so low that the Church commissioned artists to create beautiful images to communicate with the people. Jon says Creative Arts ministry today works very much the same way to reach and impact believers and unbelievers alike in ways that words alone cannot. “In a sense, we are artists commissioned by the Church that are going out across the globe, doing just that: creating imagery, creating music, creating a story to tell,” Jon says. Though once a TEAM Italy global worker, Jon now works alongside other artists to help them use their skills in ministry. “They need somebody to help them embrace who God has created them to be and for what purpose,” Jon said. “And once we’re able to do that, it’s a beautiful thing to see these artists truly thrive.”

Loving Like Jesus Cross-Culturally (Part 1)

By Megan Lunsford • 23 Apr, 2024
When seeking to serve cross-culturally with an authentic love for others, there’s no better example for us than Jesus. If we sat around a table and threw out the question, “How do we love like Jesus?” I think we would have several commonalities as we respond. For example, Jesus loved all people right where they were. He loved those who were deemed the least, those hardest to love, or those who were His enemies. These are all beautiful realities of the heart of Jesus. When we step into relationships, it can be easier to take on the warmer, more gracious gestures of Jesus’ love, especially in cross-cultural relationships. Think about it––when doing life with those who look and act differently than us, we are already out of our comfort zones and would rather keep things as simple and familiar as possible. But there are other facets of Jesus’ heart we often overlook that can transform us and others even more into His likeness. Jesus is love because God is love. Everything Jesus did was out of love; it’s the mere definition of who He is. As followers of Jesus, He calls us to the same: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John:7-12) Every display of love we offer to others is an opportunity for them to encounter the ultimate love of the Father. That’s a pretty big deal! In this article, we’ll look at three expressions of Jesus’ love that we tend to overlook when engaging others cross-culturally. (Next month, we’ll look at three more.) 1. Jesus loved sacrificially. Everywhere Jesus went, crowds followed Him. We even see times in Scripture where Jesus had plans to step away for time alone but those who were hurting found Him and He had compassion on them and stayed with them. Can you imagine rarely having any time to yourself but, instead, constantly being surrounded by crowds of people wanting help from you? Jesus loved sacrificially. He welcomed all who came to Him with love and compassion, never turning anyone away. “When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) In the same way, we can make room in our lives for Jesus to bring sacrificial interruptions which, in His eyes, are orchestrated encounters to transfer His love to others. It can be tempting to be so “on mission” that we are full steam ahead and find ourselves frustrated when the Holy Spirit sends an interruption into our path that we feel we don’t have time for. Or, perhaps, we have scheduled a meet-up but it’s the norm in another culture to be 30 minutes or an hour late. We anxiously think through how it will affect whatever we have planned next. While it’s normal to feel a little stressed, what if the very "interruption” standing in front of you was really a divine appointment sent by God? Or what if that person running late experiences how peaceful and gracious you are in adapting to their culture and therefore, they can encounter a beautiful display of Jesus’ love? To truly represent Christ, we should remain ready and willing for each assignment the Lord sends into our path, no matter the cost or how much we will have to re-route our day. He is always a hundred steps ahead and will work all things for His glory and our good. 2. Jesus loved by discerning each situation well. Think about how many situations Jesus had to respond to on a daily basis. We read in Scripture that there were lines of people waiting to be healed by Him, talk to Him, hear His teachings, or simply touch the hem of His robe. Jesus was fully dependent on His Father to discern each situation before addressing it. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) Another temptation we can have when in a relationship with those God has sent us to is to think we already know the solution or what God wants to do before we’ve even asked Him. We believe we are full of knowledge, so we just pull from the bank we have stored within and go with it. However, when we access what is familiar to us as our default, we risk missing out on a God-given solution that might truly be the key to unlocking whatever challenge is in front of us. What does this look like when interacting with others? We can simply ask, “God, what is on Your heart for the person standing in front of me?” Then we listen and respond as He speaks. When we make it a daily habit to pause and hear God’s heart for each situation before responding, we are guaranteed to be effective in loving those around us. He knows the heart of every person that will cross our paths. Imagine how impactful we can be if we first lean on His wisdom and discernment before moving forward. 3. Jesus loved by speaking truth. Most of us are familiar with the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. If we are honest, this conversation makes us a bit nervous as none of us would be comfortable with Jesus calling out intimate details of our lives that we would prefer to hide. But Jesus went further than just airing her dirty laundry. He offered her the hope of the Gospel and a relationship with Him - a divine fulfillment that could never be found in an earthly relationship. Jesus modeled a powerful example of loving others well cross-culturally. He took the low place and spoke truth, truly out of love––speaking to her heart from His. Like Jesus, our goal in sharing the truths about Him and His Word is to bring hope and satisfaction through Him alone. When we speak truth from Scripture, we are calling others higher into all God has for them. The tricky part here is we should avoid speaking truth if it isn’t first fueled by compassion. If it merely comes from a place of judgment, condemnation, or self-righteousness, it will fall flat 100% of the time. But if it truly comes from love, you are likely to not only win a heart back to the Father but, like the story of the Samaritan woman, even an entire village! If you see someone living outside of God’s best for their lives, ask God to show you your heart before engaging theirs. Once your heart is properly postured, you can speak truth out of an overflow of God’s love and trust Him for a transformation in their lives.
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