Types of Work

Church Planting and Pastoral Ministry

Think Global, Act Local

When it comes to cross-cultural church planting, the needs of a particular church vary as much as the communities themselves. We take one of three approaches to church planting and pastoral ministry. Serge missionaries lead new church plants, walk alongside local leaders through facilitative church planting, and help existing church communities find renewal.

God’s mission is global, but it takes place in the context of local communities. From Post-Christian Europe and Latin America to the 10/40 window and beyond, we send missionaries to equip and empower local churches–sharing the gospel of grace and obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples.

If you desire to start new churches or bring gospel renewal to existing churches around the world, we want to talk to you!

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WATCH: HOW A SERGE CHURCH PLANT IS SERVING IN PRAGUE

3 Approaches to International Church Planting

Traditional, Direct Church Planting

Sometimes a Serge church planting team, with a lead pastor, is sent to develop and build a new church. This strategy is used when there are few local resources or not enough existing effort to build a church community or when there is a clear need for leadership.

Facilitative Church Planting

Sometimes a mentoring approach is used by Serge teams in order to develop and resource national leaders in the church planting ministries God has called them. Serge missionaries support indigenous leaders, encouraging them to employ their gifts and knowledge of the local community and providing key resources while coming alongside as people who are committed to their flourishing.

Church Renewal

In cases where established churches exist, Serge teams work with church leaders to revitalize and renew local congregations. This rejuvenation is done through pastoral ministry, discipleship, and one-on-one mentoring, reaffirming the gospel of God’s grace as the foundation for life and ministry.

How the work gets done

We Work in Teams

Serge prioritizes sending missionaries as teams. Teams provide missionaries with a meaningful social life, shared prayer and worship, and the strength of working cross-culturally together. Whether members of a team are focused on a single church or engaged across several churches, we seek to create teams with a shared vision so that each one’s work is strengthened by the gifts and efforts of others.

We Value Equal Partnership

In an increasingly multicultural and interconnected world, international missionaries and local church leaders must work together. In the past, missionaries tended to rely on a one-sided, unilateral approach. Serge teams recognize that we are called to something greater — a partnership between equals. When this is accomplished, the church grows and becomes an attractive image of the healing, reconciling nature of the gospel.

We Display Grace Through Action

In some societies today, there are increasing levels of skepticism or animosity toward Christian beliefs. To make a real impact, people need to hear and see the gospel in action. Local churches are where the gospel is embodied and shared. New believers hear Serge team members share the Word, but they also see it displayed in everyday acts that bring justice and mercy to their neighbors.

We are Rooted in the Gospel

Serge takes a gospel-based approach in all ministry. We are missional, grace centered, and kingdom minded. This framework is a guiding light for our church planting teams, driving them to build community and seek equal partnerships. This also ensures that we work with the intention of growing God’s kingdom and sharing His glory.