The CIS Mission Board of Directors has approved Colin Campbell, chaplain with the “War on Cancer” in Charlottesville, as a special ministry project. The decision was ratified at a regular board meeting in October, 2008. [read more]

For over 30 years Dr. Bray has used the YWAM Prayer and Planning Diary as a way to stay on track with his personal piety and as a prayer guide for the whole team. "Next to the Bible, this is the most life-changing devotional book I have ever used," says Dr. Bray. "It takes you right into the heart of Jesus for the lost world-it is like walking with God. Plus it helps you plan your daily apostolic action." [read more]

THE volunteers who serve at the CIS Mission Book Table Ministry are offering two free gift books this season as part of their 2008 holiday ministry to needy students, supporters and the whole body of Christ. [read more]

by GEORGE VERWER

As I have ministered around the globe over the past 50 years, people again and again have asked me and written me about what I am trying to share in this letter. There has been more hurt, disunity and discouragement in connection with this than we can ever know. Please try and take the time to read what I am sharing and pass it on to others.

In the ministry of missionary mobilization, we are faced with many obstacles and complexities. One of toughest is “denominationism” which is usually combined with deception and pride.

I am pro-denominations (not all of them) but anti-denominationalism. By that I mean the attitude that makes you believe that yours is the only true church group at least better than all the others. There is a huge lack of reality and humility among such people, especially now that there are over 27,000 denominations. One group publicly teaches that all others are wrong and the “only way” is the way they believe and teach. This, of course, becomes cultic and manipulative. There are many real believers in such groups and we must exercise love and patience with them because that is all they know.

It is even sadder than many denominations don’t believe that God works much outside their group or local church. By the way, some of the stronger church groups don’t want to be called a denomination which is part of their judgementalism against other denominations. One group recently produced in their denominational magazine two articles against what they call para-church agencies making all kinds of false statements. This is especially sad as they have some good churches and lots of wonderful Christians. I find these kinds of articles (and they are not new) very divisive and hurtful. It is something that I have noticed around the world for the past 50 years.

Without realizing, they write off as second-class or worse the following ministries: (1) all mission agencies or societies, (2) most Christian radio and TV, (3) most Christian camps and youth ministries, (4) the Christian film industry and most internet teaching and evangelism, (5) most Christian literature and Bible agencies, (6) almost all Christian book shops, (7) most Christian conferences, (8) most Christian relief and development agencies, (9) all international networks and movements, (10) all missionary aviation agencies, (11) all ship ministries, (12) most evangelistic associations such as Billy Graham or Luis Palau, (13) student movements such as Campus Crusade, Inter-Varsity and Navigators, (14) Christian art and music ministries, (15) most Bible colleges or seminaries and Christian schools, (16) most drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies, (17) many evangelistic and renewal efforts such as the Alpha Course, Cursillo or Emmaus Road and Promise Keepers—the list can go on and on!

It is almost impossible to honestly maintain such a position as it denies so much of what God has done over these 2000 years and what He is doing right now. I know of cases where young people felt the call of God to join a mission event for a summer and were told by their local church leaders that it could not possibly be of God. Can you imagine the confusion and discouragement that comes from such behavior? As Bible believers we are a minority and on a narrow way. Why do some get joy out of making it even more narrow?

The good news is that increasing numbers of churches and whole denominations believe that most, not all, so-called “para-church agencies” are a vital part of what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are doing in the world today. There is only one church and all true believers are part of that church.

Walls have come down when those of us in such groups repent of not esteeming more highly local churches and denominations. I did that publicly once in front of 500 mission and denominational leaders from around the world. One of the most crucial things to remember is that many of the mission agencies are responsible for planting thousands of local churches and even whole denominations. One of many examples is SIM in Nigeria, which birthed a huge dynamic denomination. We could give many other current examples as well as throughout history.

I have received beautiful letters from people who have apologized for their attitude toward “para-church” groups and have changed their viewpoint.

As mission mobilizers, let’s get involved in breaking down the barriers and praying for more workers to be released into the harvest. Let us pray that all of us who know Jesus as Lord come to realize that we need each other.

I submit this hoping that it will increase humility, reality and a greater unity of purpose in reaching all peoples with the Gospel.

EDITOR’S NOTE: George Verwer is a long time friend of the Bray Family and was instrumental in calling Dr. Bill Bray into missions in the early 1960’s through Operation Mobilization.