y because He i is command, we receive a mission oor. There we do battle with th ep ons . . .” In obeying country of mission work among th ill ys to arrive in the h rance and injustice. s a mission a a y or st r ou r fo k s the framewor
Partner
With Us!
Are You Our Next Missionary/National Leader? We are actively looking for national leaders and Americans and who feel called to work in hill country among the giants of poverty. We currently have more than ten projects in six countries. Perhaps you will be the next to join us in the work? Those who join our organization have the following characteristics:
A history of service in the church or parachurch.
A Call to
Action!
Do you feel called by the Hero to missions? Do you feel drawn to help the poor in hill country around the world? Are you willing to navigate the valleys of self-denial and support raising to reach the mission field? If your answer is yes—contact us! We want to encourage you and share in more detail how CRI can help. Contact Jason@childrensrelief.org www.childrensrelief.org
Agreement with our statement of faith. Evidence of key attitudes: A willingness to be accountable. A willingness to communicate. A willingness to learn. A willingness to plan.
The
y because H or st s ’ st ri h C in re We sha nations . . .” In o ll a ch a te d n a ore theref eys to arrive i ll a v p ee d er ov te a to navig ignorance and in , ty er ov p of ts n ia g the
Hero’s
Story
Our mission at Children’s Relief International is part of a story found in all cultures and religions. In this story, a hero is chosen to carry out a mission in a far, mountainous land that the Scriptures call “hill country.” To get there, the hero must cross wide valleys and deep gorges and face many obstacles. Once there, he battles formidable giants. Ultimately the hero wins and returns home to share the benefits of his victory with his people. We Christians recognize the Hero’s story as Christ’s story. He is the Son who left heaven on a mission from the Father to go into the far country to save us from our sin. He is the Hero who suffered distress, tribulation and death. He is the Victor who rose from the dead and returned to heaven. He is now the King who shares His wealth with those of His choosing.
The expertise, training or life experience to carry out their vision or role. A sense of God’s leading that we could and should work together.
We share in Christ’s story because He invites and commands us to carry out His Great Commission: Go ye therefore and teach all nations . . . In obeying this command, we receive a mission that is like our Hero’s. We have to cross deep valleys to arrive in the hill country of mission work among the poor. There we do battle with the giants of poverty, ignorance and injustice. The Hero’s story then is the framework for our story as a mission agency. We are glad to share it with you and hope you will join us in it.
the Lord spoke h ic wh t ou b a y tr this hill coun iants) Now then, give me heard on that day that Anakim (g be ill on that day, for you t fortified cities; perhaps the Lord w a were there, with gre drive them out as the with me, and I will osh. 14:10-12). childrensrelief.org (J en ok sp s a h d Lor
Alan Pieratt, PhD, MNM
is Great Comm . We have H t ou ry r ca to s and commands u e a mission that is like our Hero’s es it v in e H se u a st ’s story bec mand, we receiv mong the poor. m co is th g in y obe n all nations . . .” I the hill country of mission work a in p valleys to arrive stice. ju ty, ignorance and in
oo
Give us this
In
Hill Country
the course of our training for missionary service, we refer to valleys, giants, hill country and slaying giants. Valleys describe the difficult decisions and tasks missionaries must face in order to serve the King in other countries. Giants depict the obstacles, conflicts and problems we confront in deep poverty. Hill country refers to the places in the world where giants live. Slaying giants refers to the results we seek from our work. These images come from the 14th chapter of Joshua where the elders of Israel meet to consider the task of conquering Palestine. Caleb says to Joshua,
Now then, give me this hill country about which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim (giants) were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out as the Lord has spoken (Josh. 14:10-12).
Caleb asked for the part of Palestine where the fiercest tribes lived, believing that since God had commanded Israel to take the land He would be with them in conquering it. Similarly we feel called to take Christ to areas of the world where life is difficult and poverty runs deep. Like Joshua we believe God will be with us as we strive to slay giants.
Starting the Journey Missionaries hear the Hero’s command in the Great Commission as a personal calling. To pursue it, they have to cross the valleys of self-denial and support raising.
Crossing rossing
Valleys
Crossing the Valley of Self-Denial Facing the valley of self denial means confronting the decisions that call for personal sacrifice. What are we willing to give up for Christ? What are we willing to do in His service? With the help of prayer, good counsel and the Holy Spirit, this valley can be crossed. (Let your yes be yes - Matt. 5:37)
Crossing the Valley of Support Raising Facing the valley of support raising means confronting the fears and challenges that come with asking people to help you be obedient to the call to missions. It is an intimidating valley to cross. We help our missionaries cross this valley through:
Endorsement Endorsement by our agency establishes the credibility to be accepted by individuals and churches as bona fide missionaries. Sharp vision We help our candidates present clear vision, strong strategies and ambitious goals. Quality media We share our vision and strategies through custom made media. Training We provide training on how to raise support among American church going people. Donor retention We place a high value on making our donors feel a part of our work. Human resources We provide a full range of legal and financial resources.
Slaying laying
Giants
Facing the Giants of Poverty
Giants Slain
Once our missionaries have crossed the valleys, they work among the giants in hill country, facing injustice, hunger, ignorance and the stubbornness with which poverty clings to people. We use nine strong strategies to slay the giants of poverty.
Wherever Christ went the poor were taught, healed, saved and helped (Matt. 9:35; Luke 4:18-21). It is no different today. As we take Him to the poor through our words and our actions, through our programs and ministries, people come to know Him and are helped, healed and saved in the same way. We look for six outcomes from slaying giants in hill country.
1 - Keep Christ first. 2 - Recruit, train, send and support national leaders. 3 - Recruit, train, send and support American missionaries.
1 - The church grows.
4 - Organize and send short-term teams and interns.
2 - Children are cared for and educated.
5 - Commit for the long run and re-evaluate often.
3 - Quality of life rises.
6 - Show honor but insist on transparent accountability. 7 - Be disciplined in planning and budgeting. 8 - Be conscientious in communication. 9 - Be zealous in the pursuit of goals but realistic about outcomes.
4 - Skills are acquired for jobs. 5 - God’s people are awakened to the needs of the poor and the opportunities to help. 6 - God’s people are enabled to go and serve.